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The Population and Policy of Sparta in the Fifth Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2013

G. B. Grundy
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Extract

It is, perhaps, somewhat venturesome to attempt to say anything upon a subject which demands full treatment from anyone who would write a History of Greece, and which has, therefore, been discussed at considerable length by many great historians. Still the research of the last twenty years has led to such material modifications of the views which formerly prevailed as to the exact significance of various important factors in the history of the Greek race, that the learned world has become emancipated from the tyranny of stereotyped tradition, and has ceased to regard deviation from the accustomed views as necessarily fanciful and untrue.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Hellenic Studies , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , November 1908 , pp. 77 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1908

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References

1 Hesiod, , Works and Days, 11Google Scholar. 42 and 236.

2 Herod, vii. 147.

3 Thuc. iii. 86.

4 Dem., Πρòς Λϵπτίνην, 31, 32Google Scholar.

5 Xen., Hell. iv. 2. 18Google Scholar.

6 Cf. Xen., Hell. iii. 3Google Scholar. (5 and 6) where the Spartiates not belonging to the ὅμοιοι are reckoned as 4,000, while the ὅμοιοι are said to consist only of the King, Ephors, Senators, and about 40 others.

7 Caes. B. G. x. 3 reckons the warriors of the Helvetii to be 25 per cent, of the whole population. Dionysius ix. 25 multiplies the census list by four to find the total. Were we to accept these ratios, the Spartiate population would work out at a maximum of 20,000. But for the purposes of this paper we will assume the larger number, 25,000.

8 Dr. Beloeh, relying chiefly on data from the fourth and later centuries, computes their number at 15,000 males, which would imply a population of 30,000 Perioeki.

9 The dilemma is stated—perhaps understated—in Aristot., Pol. II. ix. p. 45Google Scholar, line 7, ed. Bekker: ‘What is the right way of dealing with them? If they are left without restraint, they grow insolent and claim equality with their masters; while, if they are harshly treated they are in a state of conspiracy and bitter ill-will.’

10 Aristot. Pol. II. ix. (Welldon's translation.)

11 Thuc. iv. 80.

12 Hdt. i. 56.

13 Hdt. i. 70, 71.

14 Hdt. iii. 44.

15 Mr.Munro, J. A. R. in the J.H.S., 1902Google Scholar.

16 The reference is, of course, to the wellknown crux in the text of Thuc. 1. 103. In Hude, Bekker and Stuart Jones (Oxford edition) the δεκάτψ is maintained. Steup has restored it to Classen's text, though Classen preferred τετάρτψ. Busolt and Holm prefer this latter reading. I must confess that the language of Ch. 103 seems to me to imply that the settlement of the Messenians in Naupaktos took place before Megara called in the aid of Athens against Corinth. It is mentioned before this latter event, and Thucydides, careful in chronological detail, gives no hint that he is departing from the chronological order of events. Were the matter of first-class importance in relation to my present subject the question would demand further discussion. Under the circumstances I need only add that I believe τετάρτψ to be the original reading.

17 Cf. note, p. 81.

18 Thuc. i. 139.