To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. I've heard this quote attributed to Herodotus, but I've never seen any specific reference. It's consistent with modern conceptions of Sparta, but is it real? Is it just an old wives' tale concocted to make us believe our own mothers aren't so bad?
Your question is more complex than it might seem. As a modern commentator observes, he could have been taking poetic license:. In his work Plutarch consistently portrays the Spartans as having a tough, no-nonsense warrior culture, a characterization backed up by other Greek writers, including contemporaries of Sparta in its glory.
Is the quote typical of the attitude of Spartan women towards their sons? Here are some other quotes from the Sayings of Spartan Women :. Because Damatria heard that her son was a coward and not worthy of her, she killed him when he arrived. This is the epigram about her: His mother killed Damatrius who broke the laws, She a Spartan lady, he a Spartan Youth. Another Spartan woman killed her son, who had deserted his post because he was unworthy of Sparta.
Some more quotes:. She asked if her son had died nobly, in a manner worthy of Sparta. This son unworthy of Sparta was not mine at all. You get the drift. Herodotus testifies to their mettle by telling of the strength of Gorgo, the wife of the great Spartan king Leonidas. He also writes of Spartan women freeing their husbands from the Lakedaimonians by bravely entering their prison and switching clothes with them, allowing the men to escape and return to the fighting while they remained behind.
Only those who fled battle, shedding themselves of weapons and equipment to hasten their flight, came home without their shields. Even today, the phrase still has meaning.
I personally know at least one modern warrior who had it tattooed on his body. On 11 February, the Internet exploded with the sensational story of how US Marines guarding the US Embassy in Yemen were forced to hand over their weapons to Houthi militants before the Americans were allowed to flee the country. The clear implication was that the Marines tucked tail and ran, meekly turning over their weapons as a condition for the privilege of being able to run away from a fight.
First reports of breaking news are almost always wrong, especially when it involves reporting about the US military. So I waited a few days before writing this article in the hopes that the story would get better. He replied "Good, then we shall have our battle in the shade. A Sybarite, who ate at a public mess, once remarked: "Now I know why the Spartans do not fear death.
Asked what was the greatest benefit Lycurgus conferred on his countryman, King Agesilaus replied "Contempt of pleasure. Mothers whose sons died in battle openly rejoiced, mothers whose sons survived hung their heads in shame.
0コメント