The Spartan Myth

[Mister D]

I have listened to some of his lectures. I have the ability to take a criminal case and turn it into a "story" for the jury. But that doesn't, at least for me, translate into teaching history the way Cline does.

That captures the imagination. Reciting facts puts people to sleep. It makes them less interested. I can imagine how pertinent that could be on a court room. But in terms of history facts by themselves mean nothing.

[Lummy]

History is constantly revised.



--Many Greeks were mercenaries and many served under Persian employers but I'm not sure what you're talking about.



--What?



Does anyone have a serious critique of the OP's argument?

Just tell me what you don't understand, and I'll try to clarify. Well actually, you know exactly what I'm talking about, so either you don't have a response or you don't find me worthy of a response. Why you can't just say so seems typical of educates such as yourself.

I can't be more specific because I don't understand what you're trying to say. Apparently, you don't either.



Does anyone have a serious critique?

Now that is just nonsense and very rude. Keep that up and I won't chat with you.

The history of Sparta has come down through many generations over thousands of years, more or less in tact. How odd that it has not been challenged with the same casual confidence as in this clip? Revisions are one thing, reversals are another. Now be careful that you don't put words in my mouth in your reply or I won't talk to you any more because you have done that once already and are trending strongly in that direction.

But in terms of history facts by themselves mean nothing.

Would you care to rephrase that because you sound -- read -- a lot like an idiot, and we all know you aren't. Thanks.

[Lummy]

Now, finally in the 21st Century, we have finally come to know the truth of Sparta. Well, I can think of a $#@!pot full of reasons why Sparta and its militarism is being downplayed.

[Captdon]

OP is revisionist history.

-- So Spartans were mercenaries that also warred against Greeks when paid by Persians. Uh-huh.

-- So Sparta BC was not renown for its warriors but rather for its women, and Greeks were forced to swear to following wherever Spartans lead. Sounds like a pack of dogs.


So now this guy comes along who happens to know everything of import that there is to know about Sparta. Uh-huh, right. He makes it sound like a defining characteristic of Spartans was that they were liars, and everything we think we know about Spartans is wrong, yet they had admirable qualities for which they are unknown, except by this guy. Uh-huh, right.

I bailed at 10:00, having seen no explanation for these bizarre discrepancies. He indicates that Spartans were more interested in how future generations would remember them than anything timely, and that is just silly, IMHO. I call BS, based on nothing more than the content of the clip, which is not believable to me.

I don't argue with any of it. It doesn't matter that much.

[Captdon]

I can't be more specific because I don't understand what you're trying to say. Apparently, you don't either.

Does anyone have a serious critique?

I made one. It doesn't matter much, if any. It's interesting but that's all I see it is. I'm not glued to tjhat but...

[Lummy]

I don't argue with any of it. It doesn't matter that much.

So you agree because it doesn't matter. Sounds about you, yes.