02-01-2012, 01:08 AM
Which is probably why the Agoge and its ceremonies such as the diamastigosis had turned into an almost gladiatorial spectacle in the first, second and third centuries AD, when Rome decided to build a massive arena around the original Temenos where the ancient ceremony of Spartan youngsters trying to steal cheeses to bring them to the temple of Artemis Orthia being whipped in the act, sometimes even to death if we may believe Cicero : Tusculanae Disputationes, II, 34.
For the excavation of the Theatre built around the temple of Artemis Orthia see:
The sanctuary of Artemis Orthia at Sparta (1929) by R.M.Dawkins.
For Plutarchus description of the Agoge see :
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Ro...nica*.html
Of course the Spartan Mirage has existed throughout the ages and in some or another form still does. What a Roman Legion could have accomplished against a Spartan army is a difficult and anachronistic question of course. I tend to think they would have easily crushed any Spartan force. Not only because of the different fighting techniques and background of each on the opposing sides, but because Romans in the end fought for nothing other than the glory of the Empire, which is an ideal.
If you want to read up on the Spartan army read "The Spartan Army" by J.F.Lazenby
ISBN-10: 0865161151 | ISBN-13: 978-0865161153 | Publication Date: November 1986
M.VIB.M.
For the excavation of the Theatre built around the temple of Artemis Orthia see:
The sanctuary of Artemis Orthia at Sparta (1929) by R.M.Dawkins.
For Plutarchus description of the Agoge see :
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Ro...nica*.html
Of course the Spartan Mirage has existed throughout the ages and in some or another form still does. What a Roman Legion could have accomplished against a Spartan army is a difficult and anachronistic question of course. I tend to think they would have easily crushed any Spartan force. Not only because of the different fighting techniques and background of each on the opposing sides, but because Romans in the end fought for nothing other than the glory of the Empire, which is an ideal.
If you want to read up on the Spartan army read "The Spartan Army" by J.F.Lazenby
ISBN-10: 0865161151 | ISBN-13: 978-0865161153 | Publication Date: November 1986
M.VIB.M.
Bushido wa watashi no shuukyou de gozaru.
Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!
H.J.Vrielink.
Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!
H.J.Vrielink.
