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The Spartans

2002
The Spartans

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Sparta's Social System Nov 17, 2002

Part 1 deals with the arrival of the Dorian settlers into the Eurotas valley, with a discussion of the dark-age culture that lived there before, that of Menelaus, and his wife Helen (known to history as Helen of Troy). Once established, the Spartans expand westward into Messenia, enslaving the entire population, eventually becoming the dominant power in Laconia. During this time Lycurgus transforms the Spartan constitution into the militarised state we know of today. The training of Spartan youths is explained, from their enrollment in the Agoge system right through to their attainment of citizenship. The class structure of the Lacedaemonian state (Helots, Perioeci, and the soldier-citizens themselves) is also covered. The episode ends with the battle of Thermopylae, in which 300 Spartans, including their king, Leonidas, were killed in action defending Greece from a Persian invasion.

EP2 Sparta's Rivalry Nov 24, 2002

Part 2 opens with the retreat of the Persians, after Thermopylae and the battle of Salamis. Athens, which had been allied with Sparta against Persia, begins to experience an expanded economy (and democracy under the leadership of Pericles). His construction of the long walls - fortifications which connect Athens to Piraeus - is considered to be a hostile act by an increasingly paranoid Sparta, and is the basis for future discord between the two states. Meanwhile, Spartan marriage customs are discussed, and the differences in the role of women in Sparta and the rest of Greece is studied (Spartan women were relatively "free"). In 464 BC, a massive earthquake near Sparta causes massive disruption, allowing the Helots to revolt. A desperate Sparta asks Athens for help, only to change their minds once it is clear that Athens could side with the Helots. Sparta expels the Athenians, and, eventually, war begins. The surprising surrender of a Spartan detachment on the isle of Sphacteria is a major blow to Sparta's reputation of invincibility.

EP3 Sparta's Destruction Dec 01, 2002

Part 3 introduces Alcibiades, an Athenian statesman who defects to Sparta and becomes an adviser and strategist. In particular, he suggests that Sparta takes the war to Syracuse, in Sicily, during which Athens suffers a major blow (including the capture of their entire expeditionary force). The Spartan Lysander, chief of its naval forces, begins to rise in power, and he eventually defeats the Athenian navy (which enables him to blockade Athens) and finally ends the war by successfully invading and subjugating Athens. Agesilaus, who becomes one of the kings of Sparta, finally sees Sparta become the dominant power in Greece. But decadence and corruption follow, along with a drastic reduction in Spartan citizens. These facts eventually lead to an irreversible decline in Sparta's fortunes, leading to war with Thebes, and, in 371 BC, the end of Spartan preeminence after the battle of Leuctra.
8| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 17 November 2002 Ended
Producted By: Lion Television
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Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.liontv.com/Our-Work/Specialist-Factual/The-Spartans
Synopsis

The rise and fall of one of the most extreme civilisations the world has ever witnessed – one founded on discipline, sacrifice and frugality, centred on the collective, whose goal was to create the perfect state and the perfect warrior.

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Reviews

MartinHafer This is a superb mini-series about the lesser-known city state of Sparta. I say 'lesser-known' because most of the famous Greeks we think of (such as Plato) were from Sparta's rival city, Athens. This is because instead of founding the state on philosophy and democracy, Sparta was founded on toughness. To them, the highest achievements were from war and death in combat the way most folks wanted to leave this Earth. To put it in modern terms, Sparta was a nation of Klingons! I was thrilled to see this series because too often when we think of the ancient Greeks, we think of Athens or the unified Greeks under Alexander--yet, the Spartans were a HUGE force in the ancient world--a major regional power.The series is narrated by Bettany Hughes--a scholar who looks absolutely nothing like the stereotypical professor! This is not a complaint--just a comment on how beautiful and engaging she is here. In addition to her narration, there are lots of clips of various artifacts and visits to locations discussed in this three-part series. Overall, it's exceptionally well done, interesting and very, very thorough! Well worth seeing.
johnnieroderickbyrne Oh The Spartans - that was the name of one of the programmes I saw.One reason "Why history matters to me" which I wouldn't have posted on the History Matters site was highlighted by Five Live, the radio station. So I blame them for initially reminding me of Bettany Hughes and sending me towards the History Matters site for a lot of futile activity trying to post my "One Day In History" - 17 October 2006. This is the era where you HAVE to find someone else to blame isn't it? I was listening to Simon Mayo interviewing Ray Winston I think when suddenly realised the guest had changed to some one feminine. Just as I learnt it was Bettany Hughes, historian, plugging the "One Day In History" exercise. Apropos nothing I had heard, she suddenly asked Simon to look at her top garment and tell her if he could see her breasts? Boy if I hadn't been sitting down already....! Anyway, Mr Mayo being the gallant gentleman he is demurred from undertaking the good Doctor's request for an examination. Me – I was off and running to get my stamp collectors magnifying glass (two bands of light helps with viewing thru it). I closely inspected my radio but am sad to report I couldn't see Ms Hughes top half. Sigh! Yes I can say in 3 words one of the reasons history matters to me. "Doctor Bettany Hughes". With the David Starkey's, Simon Sharma's and Peter Ackroyd's shoving themselves into camera shot on every occasion they can – mostly when history programmes are on (which my missus loves) I find something more urgent to do. Like watching paint dry in another room, which hasn't been re-decorated in a decade. But then I saw one of Doctor Hughes' historical programmes and was hooked. What a shallow person I am! I usually yell at the men presenters draping themselves all over my view of the pyramids, whatever. But ask me what subject each Bettany Hughes' programme was on, be it an hour or even two hours long and I would no doubt only mutter incoherently "Bettany! Bettany!" I am a disrespectful viewer with Peter Ackroyd – his shows on The Romantics and London were wonderful but his constant presence on the screen looking moodily off into the middle distance irritated the heck out of me.But I consider it a frame of film wasted if Dr Hughes isn't in it. Her head, just so, the sun glinting off that raven wings jet black hair. I go weak.Hey, someone move those damn pyramids out of the way! Are you ready for your close up, Dr Hughes?
wobelix Some have the odd believe that history is boring.They must have missed this wonderful 3part documentary, now available on DVD thanks to PBS (available at every internet store, and nicely priced at the pleasant eBay store 'moviemarz'...).What a glamorous production ! No shortcuts here to bring the story to live. Beautiful crane shots and even helicopter shots are used to show ancient and nowadays Greece. Imagery is vivid and fresh, using pottery and museum artifacts as well as live action 'replays' and millennium old panorama's.Host and writer Bettany Hughes, a superb scholar and someone who has the gift to tell a story in such a way that it's true without ever growing stale, gives a splendid performance, finding the middle between a popular talk show host and an 'all knowing' professor.And the topic itself ? WOW !! The Spartans have inspired the Western world for 2500 years, in good (Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, the French AND American Revolutionaries...) and very bad (Hitler) ways. Their lives and thinking are displayed here in an easygoing and exuberant way, which makes the 3x 55 minutes fly by. Did THE SPARTANS build their own Utopia ? And if they did, did they themselves turn it into a dystopia ? Watch this splendid documentary and find out !!!!!