30 - Sparta

"I would never remember or mention in my work any man for his speed afoot or wrestling skill - not if he was as huge and strong as a Cyclops or could run faster than the North Wind, nor more handsome than Tithonus, or richer than Midas, nor more kingly than Pelops, or had speech more honeyed than Adrastus, not even if he possessed every glory - not unless he had the strength of a warrior in full rush."
-Tyrtaeus, 7th century Spartan Poet

Contrary to what academia has taught us, Spartan warriors frequently made blood pacts with the gods in return for silky smooth skin.
(source: Kratos, God of War)

THIS..IS..episode 30, where we discuss everyone's favorite totalitarian, xenophobic, oppressive culture - the Spartans! THIS..IS..your chance to learn all about the roots of Spartan expansionism, the brutal agoge training system, and how Spartans were all about women's rights while being despicable, horrible slavers...even by slaver standards.

THIS..IS...the last time I'll be doing that for this write-up.

MP3 Download

Music Credits

Gregorio Paniagua - Papyrus Oslo A/B - Epilogos Katastrophe

Resources
Nice chart of the Spartan government system
Plutarch's Lykurgos
Fun web game from the British Museum about surviving the agoge! Could you?
This map of the Peloponnesian League is closer to what the time period of this episode covers
Fantastic site with pictures - all about Artemis Orthia

29 - The Dark Ages of Greece

"The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself"
-Albert Camus

Honestly, the Greek Dark Ages were downright pleasant compared to Monty Python's Europe.
(source: Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

I added a few more resources at the bottom to check out. In the meantime, enjoy the quick jaunt through 400 years of unrecorded history!

MP3 Download

Music Credit

Gregorio Paniagua - Fragments instrumentaux de Contrapollinopolis

Resources
Map of Dark Ages spread
Lefkandi Excavation
Lovely map of the dialects
Neat site all about the ancient Olympics!
The Iliad (for free!)
The Odyssey (also for free!)
A collection of Geometric art I've scoured from the web :)