In observing similarities between the Spartans’ political system of ancient Greece and today’s far-right movements, one might wonder whether the two are somehow linked. Do modern-day politicians draw from ancient Sparta?
Comparing societies that are several millennia apart generally leads to inaccuracies. Furthermore, applying modern-day political terms to ancient systems of government is questionable. However, we do speak of ancient Athens as the birthplace of democracy and describe the medieval Ottoman Empire as an imperialist power.
Likewise, we might also examine the characteristics of Spartan society and refer to the austere manner in which they raised male children, their strict societal rules, and the ease with which they waged war against a potential or real enemy. We can then put that into context and compare the political system of this ancient society to modern day far-right ideologies and purposes.
What is defined as far-right (or extreme right) is persons or groups that hold extreme nationalist, xenophobic, racist, religious fundamentalist, or other reactionary views.
They are not to be confused with right wing individuals who are essentially conservative and believe in traditions such as the homeland, family, and religion without participating in extreme or illegal acts.
Characteristics of ancient Greece’s Spartan society
Sparta was a society that was highly militaristic. They also uniquely enslaved fellow Greeks, mostly from the neighboring region of Messinia. These people were known as helots and their mass enslavement was crucial to both the success and eventual failure of Spartan society. The main task of the helots was working the land and providing produce for Spartan citizens.
From the age of seven, Spartan males were enrolled in the agoge, a rigorous educational and training program designed to produce disciplined, skilled warriors who were not afraid to fight and risk their life in battle. This emphasis on military prowess and discipline is a defining feature of Spartan culture.
In fact the phrase “with it or on it” (Greek: “ἤ τάν ἤ ἐπί τᾶς”) means “come back to Sparta with your shield or on it—in other words dead. King Leonidas used this as a motivational mantra το encourage his brave 300 to fight to the death at the Battle of Thermopylae. The mantra was used by Spartan women when they were sending their sons or husbands to war, too.
Spartan women enjoyed more privileges than women in other parts of Greece. Female independence was built on the idea that freedom led to good physical and mental health, and this, in turn, led to healthy women bearing healthy children. Adultery was also encouraged so that women would bear more children. Reproduction and taking good care of the male population was crucial to Sparta’s survival and glory.
Plutarch says that like male Spartans, girls were brought up to be physically strong contributors to society. They were taught to run, wrestle, and throw the javelin as well as dance and play music. Possibly, women exercised in the nude much like the men. Girls were also taught literacy and numbers so as to efficiently manage their households while the men were away at war, as was usually the case.
Spartan women were also quite confident. They would often taunt men and challenge their virility. This caused men to further exert themselves so as to prove their masculinity, something that would make them practically fearless in battle.
Sparta had a rigid class system with the Spartiates (full citizens) at the top. They were followed by the Perioikoi, the free inhabitants who were, nonetheless, not citizens. Under these two were the helots, or state-owned slaves. The helots, in particular, were subjected to harsh treatment and exploitation to maintain order in Spartan society.
Spartans were isolationists. They desired no kind of foreign influence on their land and maintained a degree of xenophobia, limiting interactions with outsiders and restricting the movement of its own citizens as well. They wanted to preserve their unique social system and hierarchy. This was partly due to a fear of outside influence that might disrupt social order.
In essence, they were a highly conservative people, placing great value on tradition and stability. They disliked change and maintained institutions and customs over centuries, often in stark contrast to more dynamic and progressive states such as Athens, against which they were often at war.
Modern day far-right ideologies
In the past 15 years or so in Greece, the far-right party known as Golden Dawn (Greek: Χρυσή Αυγή) made its presence only briefly noticeable in Greek politics. In the 2012 general elections, they clinched seven percent of the vote and managed to win over 21 seats in the 300-seat Greek Parliament.
The Golden Dawn partly was mainly composed of neo-Nazis. They used the swastika and the Hitler salute in their rallies. However, they also incorporated Spartan slogans, the symbol of the Spartan shield, and Leonidas’ mantras and quotes. They did not last long, as the party leader and the main players were arrested and jailed in September 2013 for murder and participation in a criminal organization. In October 2020, 37 members were eventually convicted and imprisoned.
In their defense, the Golden Dawn members claimed that they are not neo-Nazis but patriots and nationalists.
Far-right ideologies often emphasize strong national identity and patriotic pride, frequently coupled with militarism. The glorification of military power and the belief in a strong, disciplined state can be seen as parallel to Spartan values.
Another characteristic of the far-right similar to those of the ancient Spartans is their xenophobia and racism. Far-right party members are known for occasional attacks against foreigners, especially people of color. They are isolationists and fear foreign influences on their country and people. In that sense, they are also traditionalists and resist progressive change on their nation as a whole.
Far-right movements tend to be supportive of social hierarchies and may be excessively authoritarian. Those who align with such ideologies prefer to live in societies with rigid class systems and an authoritarian control descriptive of ancient Greece’s Sparta.
Historical context: Ancient Greece’s Sparta and far-right ideologies today
Despite similarities and parallels in the rigid ideology, conservativism, patriotism, traditional attitudes, and xenophobic and isolationist tendencies, it is quite a stretch to claim that today’s far-right movements in various countries are similar to the Spartan sociopolitical system of 2,500 years ago.
Modern extreme right ideologies are often based on concepts of race, nation-state, and modern political theories that did not exist in ancient Greece. Furthermore, the idea of multi-culturalism was non-existent in ancient Sparta. This was not only because of its politics but also because people were unable to travel very far.
Hence, to compare modern, far-right ideologies to Spartan ones is more so an academic discussion with marked limitations if one is to apply today’s understanding of relevant concepts. Despite similarities, there are also key differences in how these values and principles were applied and understood in Sparta.
