| Did Lysander Cause The Downfall of Sparta? |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Sunday, 08 March 2009 06:38 |
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I have a theory, please feel free to push back, but in my humble opinion Lysander was the catalyste for the fall of Sparta. So, why do I say this? Let me explain my theory.
Lycurgus (namesake for this site) forbade the focus on currency via the Rhetras...not forbade money itself but really tried to divert the obession with money by turning it to a worthless metal. After this, so the story goes (we will blog about this disputed point later) Sparta began to focus her productive output on items that were utilitarian as opposed to an endless pursuit of money. According to Plutarch, this had an impact on theft and other currency related vices.
So, for hundreds of years afterwards, Sparta rose and rose to power to ultimately be a dominate nation. Then war with Athens.
As the war progressed and the balance of power shifted, a well know figure entered the scene...my favorite ancient figure Alciabedes. It was written that he, on exile from Athens (and hanging out during the Syracusian calamity) prompted Lysander to surface the idea of asking Persia for money. This was, of course, a foriegn idea to the Spartans but because timing was right seemed to take hold.
After, Sparta and Persia became fiscally connected. Did this begin the decline of Sparta? I am sure the selected eugenics had some impact but in my opinion the fall began with the rise of money.
Time for bed.
Adam
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 22 February 2010 16:24 ) |
