| dc.description.abstract | Only six of the primary sources discussing Lykourgan Sparta are contemporary to that culture. Herein, these sources are reviewed and compared both to each other and to the history of Sparta as it is understood to modern historians, thanks to archeology and other more modern sources. In the end, it is hoped that a greater appreciation of these figures' opinions may be generated. In addition, it is hoped that by comparing the opinions of these figures concerning Sparta to their opinions concerning the struggle between the aristocratic and democratic factions in Athens over control of that city, some correlation between the two might be uncovered, explaining why each figure expressed the opinions that he did. There are several problems that present themselves to one making such a review. First of all, few of the figures reviewed herein actually wrote histories as such. The majority of the sources consist of philosophical tracts, plays, and political pamphlets. An objective review of the history, merits, and flaws of Sparta was not the motive of Plato, nor was it the goal of Aristophanes, and yet it is with such figures as these that one is left. As these figures do not write with intent to politicize, sometimes their political positions are hidden from the reader's examination. Furthermore, the status of Sparta and its relationship with Athens had an effect upon the Athenian writers irregardless of their opinions regarding aristocracy and democracy. So, something more complex than a simply partisan approach to Sparta's history shall be found. Still, party politics shall bee seen to have had some role to play in the formation and promulgation of these theories. | |
