BlackLawsSystem
TheSpartans(Σπαρτιάτες)intheprocessofconqueringLaconiaSomeresidentsbecameslavesandwerecalledBlackLaos.
Inthe8thcenturyBC,theSpartanslauncheda10-yearwaragainsttheneighboringMessenia,andfinallyconqueredMessenia,turningmostoftheMesseniansintoslaves.AndfortheBlackRolls.BlackLaoshiwasfixedontheland,engagedinarduousphysicallabor,andpaidmorethanhalfofhisharvesttotheslaveownerseveryyear.
Thereisapoemthatsays:
Likeadonkeycarryinganunbearableburden,
Theyareunderviolentoppression;
Thefruitsobtainedfromhardwork,
Halfwillbesenttotheowner’sbarn.
TheSpartansoftenwagewarsabroad,sothemilitaryburdenofBlackRollsisveryheavy.DuringtheHippoWar,theSpartansconfiscated35,000blackrollswiththearmyinonego.Theywereforcedtotakethelead,usingtheirlivestoascertaintherealityoftheenemyandreducetheenemy'scombateffectiveness.
BlackLaoshicouldn'tstandthecruelexploitationandbrutalityoftheSpartans,andoftenstagedriotsandarmeduprisings.Inaddition,thenumberofblackLaosismuchlargerthanthatoftheSpartans,andtheSpartansusedamethodcalled"Kripti"topersecuteandeliminatetheblackLaos.Kriptimeanssecretoperation.
EpicRecords
"Theofficersoftensendlargenumbersofthemostcautiousyoungsoldierstothecountryside.Theyonlybringshortswordsandsomenecessities.Duringtheday,theyarescatteredandhiddeninremoteplaces.,KilleveryHilotheycancatch.SometimestheyalsocometothefieldswhereHiloareworkingandkillthestrongestandbestamongthem."
InawarbetweenSpartaandAthens,2000BlackRollsmadeawar.TheSpartanspromisedtogivethemfreedomandtookthemtothetempletogivethankstothegods.Buttheywereslaughteredbytheslaveownerswhowereambushinginthetemple.AsthepublicpropertyofallSpartans,individualSpartansdonothavetherighttobuyandsellblacklaborers,buttheycanhurtthematwill.Duringfestivals,theSpartansoftendrunktheHilowithspirits,draggingthemtopublicplacesandwantonlyinsultingthem.EveniftheBlackRollsisnotatfault,hewillbefloggedonceayear,inordertomaketheBlackRollsrememberhisstatusasaslave.
InordertosuppresstheresistanceofBlackLaosandgrabtheneededresourcesbyconqueringothercity-states,theSpartansneededagoodarmy.TheSpartansformedauniquepoliticalsystem,andtheentiresocietyledamilitarizedlife.Theeducationthatchildrenreceivedfromanearlyagewasmilitarytraining.
InordertopreventthedivisionofwealthamongtheSpartans,theSpartanswerenotallowedtoengageinindustryandcommerce,andinsteadofusinggoldandsilverascurrency,theyusedlow-valueironcoins.TheSpartanswerenotallowedtoengageinotherlivelihoodsexceptmilitary.TheSpartansadvocatethespiritofforce,andtheentireSpartansocietyisequivalenttoalargebarrackswithstrictmanagement.
Spartaattachesimportancetochildbirthandencouragescitizenstohavemorechildren.WhentheSpartanbabycroakedtotheground,hewastakentotheelderforexamination.Iftheelderthoughthewasunhealthy,hewasthrowntoanabandonedbabyyardinthewild;themotherbathedthebabywithstrongalcoholifhehadaconvulsionorlostconsciousness,Thisprovesthathisphysiqueisnotstrong,lethimdie,becausehecan'tgrowintoagoodfighter.
Theboywasraisedbyhisparentsbeforehewas7yearsold.Parentshavepaidattentiontocultivatingthehabitofnotcrying,notpickyeaters,notnoisy,notafraidofdarkness,andnotafraidoflonelinesssincetheywereyoung.Theboyaftertheageof7wasincorporatedintoateamtoleadacollectivemilitarylife.Theydemandedabsoluteobediencetotheleader,increasedcourage,physicalstrength,andcruelty.Theypracticedrunning,discusthrowing,boxing,fencing,andfighting.Youngmenandwomenalsolearntoread,write,dance,etc.Inordertotrainchildren'sobedienceandpatience,theyhavetobewhiplashedonceayearduringfestivalsandworship.Theykneltinfrontofthetemple,theirhotleatherwhipsraineddown,buttheywerenotallowedtobegformercy,theywerenotallowedtoshout,andtheywerenotallowedtoevenmakeasound.
Militarytraining
Atthesametimeofmilitarytraining,theSpartansalsoinstilledinchildrentheviewsofthenobleSpartansandtheinferiorityoftheSpartans.TheinstructorsofteninsultedandwhippedtheblackLaoshiinfrontofthechildren,andeventookthemtoparticipateinthe"Kripti"activitiestodirectlyslaughtertheblackLaoshi.Whentheboyis12yearsold,hejoinsthejuniorteam.Theirlivesaremoresevere.Theyarenotallowedtowearshoes,andtheyonlywearacoatinwinterandsummerandsleeponstraw.Thestrawweavingismadebypullingthegrassbythelakewiththeirhandswithoutusingaknife.
Normallythereisverylittlefood,buttheyareencouragedtostealfoodoutside.Ifheisfoundout,hewillbebeatenhardwhenhecomesback,becauseheisnotgoodatstealing.Legendhasitthattherewasayoungmanwhostoleafoxandhidhiminhischest.Thefoxbithiminhisclothes.Inordernottobefound,heremainedsilentuntilhewasbittentodeathbythefox.
Afterturning20,Spartanyoungmenformallybecomesoldiers.Marriedattheageof30,buthestillparticipatesinmilitarytrainingeveryday.Retiredattheageof60,butstillareservesoldier.Spartangirlsstillstayathomeattheageof7,butinsteadofweavinganddoinghouseworkallday,theyareengagedinphysicalexercise,learningtorun,racewalking,discusthrowing,andfighting.TheSpartansbelievedthatonlyastrongmothercouldgivebirthtoastrongwarrior.Spartanwomenarebraveandstrong.Theyarenotafraidtoseetheirsonswoundedorkilledonthebattlefield.WhenaSpartanmothersenthersontothebattlefield,shedidnotwishhimasafereturn,butgavehimashieldandsaid:"Eithertakeitorlieonit."Itmeanstoreturnwiththeshieldingloriousvictory,orThehonorabledeathwascarriedbackbysomeoneelsewithashield.
CivilizationEducation
Spartansdespiseculturaleducation.Teenagersonlyneedtobeabletowriteordersandnotes.TheSpartansrequiredtheirchildrentospeakconciseandstraightforward,andtheydevelopedthehabitoftaciturnsincetheywereyoung.Theyspeaklikemilitarypasswords.Once,akingthreatenedthekingofSpartatoobeyhisorders,orrazedSpartatotheground.TheanswerofthekingofSpartawas:"Please!"ThissuccinctanswerwaslatercalledSpartananswer.Similarly,theSpartansdespisedliterature,art,andnaturalscience.InSparta,therearealmostnomagnificentbuildingsandmagnificenttemples,onlyonevillageafteranother.TheSpartansdidnotmakeexquisiteworksofarttobepassedontolatergenerations.
Formationprocess
TheSpartancity-stateislocatedinLaconiainthesouthernPeloponnesePeninsula.Aroundtheearly2000sBC,agroupofGreektribescomposedoftheAkayascametoPeloponnese.Inthemid-2000sBC,theAkayasestablishedsomecitiesinLaconia,whenthecitiesofLaconiawereundertheruleoftheMycenaeanstate.Around1100BC,anothergroupofGreektribescomposedofDoriansinvadedthePeloponnesefromthenorthernpartoftheGreekpeninsula.OneofthementeredLaconiaanddestroyedtheurbancivilizationoftheMycenaeanera.TheDoriawhoenteredLaconiaweredividedintothreetribesandwerestillattheendofprimitivesociety.Fromthe10thcenturyBCtothe9thcenturyBC,theyformedanewpoliticalcenterfromfivevillages.ThisistheSpartancityoftheDorians.Itiscalledacity,butinfactithasneithercitywallsnordecentstreets.TheDorianswholiveinthisareaarecalledSpartans.
From800BCto730BC,theSpartansgraduallyconqueredtheLaconiaregion,forcingtheconqueredresidentstopaytributetoit.TheseconqueredpeoplelivedintheSpartans’ThesurroundingareaiscalledthePiriasi(meaningtheresidentsofthesurroundingarea).Later,theconquerorswholivedinthecityofHilosonthesoutherncoastcouldnotresisttheoppressionoftheSpartansandlaunchedanuprising.AftertheSpartanssuppressedtheinsurgents,theyturnedthemintoslavesandcalledthemBlackRollers.TheplainwhereSpartaislocatedisbarrenandbarren.Inthemiddleofthe8thcenturyBC,duetotheintensifiedsocialdivisionandpopulationgrowthoftheSpartansthemselves,inordertosolvetheshortageofland,theSpartanscolonizedtheoutsideworldontheonehand,andinvadedMessianiaontheother.TheNiaWar(approximately740BCto720BC).Asaresult,theSpartansoccupiedtheentireMesseniaandturneditsresidentsintoblacksoldiers.TheoccupiedlandwasdividedbetweentheSpartansandthePiriasi.TheSpartanssharedthelandintheplainsandthePiriasisharedthemountainousland.Fromabout640BCto620BC,theMesseniansbecameintolerableofslaveryandoppressionandstagedanuprising(knownastheSecondMessianWarinhistory).AlthoughtheydealtaheavyblowtotheSpartans,theyfinallyfailed.
Theprocessofconquering
Itistheprocessofthegradualformationofacountry.Theclansystem,whichhadbeendisintegrated,disintegratedmorerapidlyintheprocessofconquering.Asaresult,theSpartantribaladministrationwastransformedintoaviolentorganizationtosuppresstheconquered.Bythe7thcenturyBC,thebasicsystemoftheSpartanstatehadbeenroughlyformed.AccordingtothelegendoftheancientGreeks,theestablishmentoftheSpartansocietyandpoliticalsystemresultedfromthereformsofLekugu.
Sincethemiddleofthe6thcenturyBC,SpartagraduallyformedthePeloponnesianAlliancewithmostofthecity-statesinthePeloponnesPeninsula,becomingtheleaderofagroupofGreekcity-states.Atthebeginningofthe5thcenturyBC,itdidnotsendtroopstosupporttheGreekcity-statesinAsiaMinoragainstthePersianuprising.In480BCand479BC,theSpartansservedasthecommander-in-chiefofthealliedforcesoftheGreekstatesduringtheBosniaWar,andjoinedforceswithAthensandotherstatestoopposePersianaggression.
Sincethen,withtheDelianLeagueWiththeestablishmentofSpartaandthegrowingpowerofAthens,thecontradictionbetweenSpartaandAthenshasbecomeincreasinglyacute.
In404BC,withthehelpofPersia,SpartadefeatedAthensandbecamethevictorofthePeloponnesianWarthatlastedfor27yearsandthehegemonofallGreece.Itstyrannicalrulequicklyarouseddissatisfactionandresistancefromvariouscity-states.Inthe4thto3rdcenturiesBC,theycompetedwithAthens,Thebai,andCorinthforalongtime,andgraduallylosttheirsuperiority.ThedividebetweentherichandthepooramongSpartancitizensisaccelerating,thenumberofpeoplelosinglandandcitizenshipisincreasing,the"communityoftheequals"tendstocollapse,andthecivicsoldiersareincreasinglyweakened.In371BCSpartainvadedtheGreekcity-stateThebai,defeated,andthekingdiedinbattle.ThenMesseniabecameindependent,andthePeloponnesianLeaguedisintegrated.Inthelate3rdcenturyBC,thesocialcontradictionsinSpartawereparticularlyintense,andthereformsofYaquisIVandCleomenezIIIendedinfailureoneafteranother.In192BC,Nabis,thetyrantofSparta,waskilled,andSpartawasforcedtojointheAkhaiyaLeague,effectivelylosingitsindependence.AftertheRomanEmpireconqueredthePeloponnese,thecityofSpartawasdestroyedbytheGothsin396AD.ThenByzantiumentered,anditwascalledthisplacebytheRachelDaemoninHomer'sepic.ItisnowacityinsouthernGreece.InthePeloponnese,ontherightbankoftheEphrotasRiver.Thepopulationis14,000(1981).ItistheindustrialandagriculturalcenteroftheUrolemPlain,wherethetradeoffruits,grains,oliveoil,andwineisprosperous.
Politicalsystem
Spartansocietyisdividedintothreelevels:
1.Spartan.Theall-powerfulcitizensinthecity-stateslivedentirelyontheexploitationofslavelabor,andtherewereabout9,000householdsatitspeak.IntheSpartanyears,malecitizensjoinedaso-called"communityofequals"ofamilitarynatureandbecametherulingclassoftheSpartancountry.
2.Beliasi.Mostofthemlivearoundcity-statesoralongthecoast,engagedinhandicraftsandcommerce.Personalfreedom,nopoliticalrights,mustpaytaxesandservicetoSpartanslaveowners,andcannotenjoytherightsofotherfull-timeSpartans.Youcanonlyserveasapawninmilitaryservice.
3.BlackRolls.BelongstoalltheslavesoftheSpartancity-state(seetheBlackRollsSystem).
Inordertosuppressblackslavesandcontinuetoexpandabroad,theSpartancity-statestipulatedastrictcivilmilitarytrainingsystem.Afterthebirthofacitizen'schild,itisonlyallowedtobeadoptedafterpassingaphysicalexamination.Theboywillleavethefamilyattheageof7andjointhechildren'scompanytoreceivepreliminaryorganizationaldisciplinetraining;aftertheageof12,hemustreceivestrictmilitaryandsportstraining.Afteramangetsmarried,hemustusuallyliveinamilitarycamp,participateindinnersandexercises,andhecannotleavethearmyuntilheis60yearsold.
Spartaisacountryruledbyslaveownersandnobles.Itsnationalinstitutionsarecomposedoftheking,thecitizens'assembly,thecouncilofelders,andtheombudsman.Therearetwokings,andtheyareinheritedbytwofamiliesrespectively.Usually,theypresideoverstatesacrificesanddealwithcasesinvolvingfamilylaw.Duringthewar,onekingwentouttoleadthebattle,onekingstoodfirminthecity-state,andthetwokingscheckedandbalancedeachother.Thecitizens'assemblyiscomposedofSpartanmenwhohavereachedtheageof30.Thecitizens'assemblyhasnorighttomakeproposals.ThePresbyterianCouncilputsforwardaproposal,andthecitizens'assemblyonlyhastherighttodiscussandvote.Whenvoting,thedecisionismadebytheloudnessoftheshout,andtheloudnessmeanstheapproval.ThemembersoftheCouncilofEldersandtheombudsmanareelectedbythecitizens'assembly,andtheelectionmethodisalsotoexpressopinionsonthecandidatesbythelevelofshouts.TheCouncilofPresbyteriansisthehighestauthoritywith30members.Exceptforthetwokings,theremaining28areselectedfromamongcitizensover60yearsold.Thetenureisforlife,andifthereisavacancy,aby-electionisstillrequiredfromcitizensover60.Allnationalcongressesarediscussedanddecidedinadvancebytheelders'meeting,andthenpassedtothecitizens'assemblyforapproval.Ifitfails,theeldershavetherighttoadjournthemeeting.TheCouncilofEldersisalsothehighestjudicialorgan,andallcivil,criminalandstatecasesarehandledbyit.Therearefiveombudsmen,electedannuallybythecitizens'assembly,andallcitizensover30yearsoldcanbeelected.Theirdutiesaretosupervisetheking,judgetheking’swrongdoing,andmonitorthelivesofcitizens.Fromthe5thcenturyBC,theirpowercontinuedtoincrease,andinsteadoftheking,theyobtainedthepowertopresideoverthecouncilofeldersandthecitizens'assembly,andthepowerofthecouncilofelderstohearcivillawcasesfellintotheirhands.
Theprocessofthewar
CompetingforhegemonyinGreece
AftertheBossWar,SpartatooktheleadinordertocompeteforhegemonywithAthens.ThePeloponnesianLeagueandtheDelianLeagueledbyAthensfoughtthePeloponnesianWar.Thiswarlastedfrom431BCto404BC.Thetwosidesceasedfireseveraltimes,andSpartawon.Butbothsidesfoughttoexhaustion.Asaresult,SpartawasdefeatedbytheemergingThebesshortlyafterdominatingGreece,andwaslaterconqueredbyAlexandertheGreatofMacedonia,andhassincedeclined.
GreekThePolishWar(μποέμπαράδεισοςπολέμου)
ThebraveryoftheSpartans.IntheBattleofWenquanPass,KingLeonidasIofSparta,with300soldiersofhisowncountry,700Thebes,and6000coalitionforcesofotherGreekcity-states,resistedPersia,whichfarexceededtheminnumber.Thearmy,whichlastedforthreedays,preventedthePersianarmyfromadvancinginthefirsttwodaysandsufferedheavycasualties.Butonthethirdday,alocalGreekresidentbetrayedtheGreekcampandledthePersianarmyalongthemountaintrailtotherearoftheGreekcoalitionforces.Seeingthis,LeonidasdisbandedtheGreekcoalitionforces,leaving300Spartansandsoldiers.700Thebesvolunteerswereleftbehind.Afterafiercebattle,theentirearmyofvolunteerswhowerebehindwasdestroyed,buttheysucceededinhinderingtheadvanceofthearmyledbyKingXerxesIofPersia.Intheend,GreecedefeatedPersia,andtheSpartansdeservedit.Regardingthehistoryof300soldiersdefeatingthePersianarmy,WarnerPicturesadaptedthehistoryintothemovie"300Spartans"in2007.However,inordertotakeintoaccounttherelationshipbetweenfilmeffects,therewillbediscrepancieswithhistoricalfacts,includingcharactermodeling.
AFrankMillercomichasbeenmadeintoamovieandwillbereleasedonMarch9,2007.Thetitleofthefilmis"300SpartanWarriors",andthedomestictranslationis"300SpartanWarriors".Thestorytellsthatin480BC,thePersiansinvadedGreece,and300SpartansoldierswenttothemilitaryfortressHotSpringstostartabloodybattlewithahundredtimesmoreinvaders.ThePersiansoldierspressedtheterritory,andtheSpartansoldierswerecalm.Threedaysafterthebloodybattle,thewarriorsheadedbySpartanKingLeonidasalldiedheroically.Atthebeginningofthetrailer,theKingofSpartaroared:"Tonight,weDINEinHELL!"Σαλαμίναωκεανόπολέμου)
Abattlethataffectstheprogressofhumancivilization.In549BC,Cyrus,agenerationofPersianheroes,unifiedtheIranianplateau.AnditdestroyedthenewBabyloniankingdomthathadjustrisen.AlthoughPersiaexperiencedcivilstrifeanddeclinedforawhile,underthereignofDariusI,underthepowerfulkingshipofDariusI,theterritoryoftheempirehasbeenunprecedentedlydeveloped.EventuallydevelopedtotheIndusValleyintheeast.ThewestincludesEgypt,andthenorthwestreachestheEuropeanBalkans.ItbecamethefirstempireinhumanhistorytospanEurope,Asia,andAfrica.Inspiredbyhismartialarts,thePersianrulerssettheirsightsonEurope'smostpowerfulopponentatthetimeandtherepresentativeofEuropeancivilization-Greece.FromDariusItoXerxes,healwaysdreamedofconqueringGreece,thesymbolofWesterncivilization.SotherewasalongHippocraticWar.
TheadvanceofthePersianswasnotsmooth.ThePersianEmpire'sfirstexpeditiontoGreecewasdefeatedbyAthens,GreeceintheBattleofMarathon.DepressedDariusItotheend.AndhissonXerxes,asthesuccessorofhiscareer,inheritedhisfather'sunfinishedcareer.LaunchedthesecondexpeditiontoGreece.
Persia'ssecondexpeditiontoGreece
Asthecommander-in-chiefofPersia,thePersiankingXerxesmadefullpreparationsinadvance.Persiadidnothaveanavy,butafterconqueringPhoenicianandEgyptalongtheMediterraneancoast,thePersiansformedapowerfulfleet.Atthesametime,itformedanalliancewithCarthage,amaritimepowerintheMediterraneanSea,andallowedthemtocontainSyracuse,theGreekcity-stateontheislandofSicily,Italy.Inaddition,twopontoonbridgeswerebuiltintheStraitofHeraspin(nowtheDardanelles)thatdividesEuropeandAsia.EstablishmultiplelogisticsbasesalongtheroadinThrace.UnderthepowerfuldeterrenceofthePersianEmpire,manyGreekcity-statessurrenderedandinvadedtheirPersianEmpire.Sendsoldiersandshipstojointhewar.In480BC,Xerxessent500,000troopsfromAsiaMinor,enteredEuropethroughtheStraitofHeraspoon,passedthroughThraceandMacedonia,andbegananexpeditiontoGreece.
Astheothersideofthewar,Greecewasinacity-statepatternatthattime.Atthattime,mostofthenorthernGreekcity-statessurrendered,frightenedbythepowerfulforceofPersia.OnlyAthensandSparta,thetwolargestcity-statesinGreece,andafewothercity-statesdecidedtouniteagainstthePersianinvasion.
Onthelandbattlefield,SpartanKingLeonidaspersonallyledhiscountry'selitetroopstodefendthefirstlineofdefenseinGreece-HotSpringPass.LeonidasandhisGreekwarriorsfacedtheirenemieshundredsoftimeswithoutfearandfoughtdesperately.ThePersianarmymadenoprogressinthefirsttwodaysandsufferedheavycasualties.Butonthethirdday,aGreektraitorledthePersianarmytotakeapathtoattackLeonida'srear,andtheGreekcity-statealliesdefendingtherearfledwithoutanyresistance.Inthefaceofsuchadangeroussituation,LeonidasorderedthetroopsofthePeloponnesetowithdrawfirst,andheand300Spartanwarriorsguardedthehotspring.Afterafiercebattle,LeonidasTheentireSpartanarmywasdestroyed.AlthoughtheSpartanwarriorsweredefeated,theirheroicdeedssurvivedtheagesandwereextolledbytheGreeksofallgenerations.Andmoreimportantly,theGreekarmy'stenaciousblockadeagainstthePersianarmyattheHotSpringPassboughtextremelyprecioustimefortheAlliedNavy'sdeploymentinAthensandtheevacuationoftheGreekpeopleintherear.Therefore,thereisnoSpartanwarrioragainstPersiaattheHotSpringPass.Stubbornlyresisting,itisdifficulttopredictwhatthefuturebattlewillbelike.
ThedesperateresistanceoftheSpartanwarriorswonprecioustimefortheAlliedAtheniancoachTemistocles.AlthoughthePersianarmyquicklyoccupiedtwo-thirdsoftheGreeklandaftertheWar,ButwhentheyenteredthecityofAthens,theyfoundthattherewasonlyoneemptycityleftinAthens.Theresidentsofthecityhadalreadyevacuated.AllthesoldiersandciviliansmovedtobattleshipstofightwiththePersianarmy.Asaresult,thePersianarmyhadtoburnthecitytoventtheiranger.
AlthoughtheGreekarmyfailed,themainnavyforcedidnotsufferanyloss.InSeptember480BC,morethan300warshipsfromAthenswereassembledintheGulfofSalamisunderthecommandoftheGreeknavycommander-in-chiefThemistocles.SalamisIslandislocatedbetweentheGreekpeninsulaandtheBalbones(betweenthepeninsula,andtheGreekpeninsulatotheeastisonlyseparatedbyastrait.TheSalamisStraitisnarrowandwinding,andthewidestplaceisonlytwokilometers,anditwaspartoftheterritoryofAthensatthattime.
InSeptember480BC,theGreeknavalcommanderTemistoclessentpeopletopretendtobedesertersandliedtoPersianKingXerxesthattheAthenianfleetwasfightingandshouldsendtroopsimmediately.XerxeswasimmediatelyfooledandorderedAllmorethan600giantbattleshipsofthePersianNavysailedintothebay.TheSalamisnavalbattleofficiallystarted.
ThePersiankingXerxeswenttothebattlefieldtosupervisethebattleandwasreadytowitnessthisgreatmomentwithhisowneyes.Atthattime,thePersianbattleshipsweregenerallytallandtall.,Isalargebattleship.TheGreeknavalbattleshipisusuallythirty-fivemeterslongandfivemeterswide,andthebowhasametal-cladangleofattack.Thewarshipusuallysailswithsailsandrewindsitssailsduringbattletoachievespeedandmaneuverability.Thereare170oarsmen,15sailors,5officers,and15to20soldiers.Soldiersareequippedwithbowsandarrowsandjavelins.Greeknavalwarshipspursuehighmobility.Theyusuallyshootwithbowsandjavelinsatadistance,andshootatthebowatadistance.Thehornshittheenemyship.Thisbecamethemaintacticinthesubsequenthundredsofyearsofnavalwarfare.
TheentrancetotheSalamisStraitwasblockedbytheislandofSalamisinthecombatarea,resultinginnarrowwaterways.ThegiantPersianbattleshipsThesizeishugeandheavy,anditcanonlypassdozensofshipsatatime.ThisforcedthePersiannavytoadoptthemosttabootacticsofmilitarystrategiststoputintroopsonebyone.ThePersianfleetlinedupintothestrait.Atthistime,thetidewashigh.Theundercurrentsurginginside,thegiantPersianbattleship'ssternwasnotbigenoughtocontrolitsdirection.BeforethePersianbattleshipsturnedtheirbowstotheleft,thelong-awaitedGreekfleetrusheduplikeanarrowfromthestring.
Atthistime,therewereonlyaboutahundredPersianwarshipsenteringthestrait,whiletheGreekAlliedForceshad370warships,formingasituationoffewstrikes.TheoutermostwarshipsofthePersianfleetfacedtheimpactofGreekwarshipshorizontally,almostallofthemWashitandsunk,sothatthePersianwarshipbehindfinallyturnedaroundandstrangledwiththeGreekfleet.ThenarrowwatersoftheSalamisStraitwerepackedwithwarships,anditwasdifficultforbothsidestomove.Theheavyinfantrybegantoplayarole.Theyusedthetacticsofside-by-sidewarfaretoclimbuptheenemyshipsandfightwiththePersiansoldiers.ThesoldiersonthePersianbattleshipswerebasicallyarchers,unabletoresistthefierceattacksoftheheavilyarmoredAthenianinfantry.AfewAthenianinfantrymenwereabletosubdueanenemyshipeffortlessly.ThePersianwarshipsthatwerenotoccupiedturnedaroundandfled,buttheywereallblockedbytheensuingfleet.Atthistime,otherPersianwarshipsoutsidethestraitdidnotknowaboutit.Thebattlesituationinthestraitisstillrushingintothestrait,hopingtoshowitinfrontoftheirkingXerxes.Andthereissuchasituation-thePersiannavywaswipedoutinthestrait,andanothergroupcamein.,Wipeoutanotherbatch,andenteranotherbatch...andsoon,untiltheentirearmyisannihilated.
IntheBattleofSalamis,theGreekcoalitionnavylostaboutfortywarships,andthePersians’lossesarenotdetailed.Records,historiansgenerallybelievethatmorethansixhundredships,andthepersonnelTensofthousandsofcasualties.Atthattime,therewereonly600fleetsinthePersianEmpire.ThisshowsthatthePersianNavyhasbeenwipedout!Afterthewar,thewreckageofPersianbattleshipsanddrownedsoldierswerewashedintothebayontheoppositeshoreofSalamisbythetide,andpileduplikemountainsontheseveralkilometersofbeach,whichwasshocking.Afterthiswar,thePersiannavyfellintodisrepairandgaveupcontroloftheAegeanSea.
ThefailureofthePersianarmyintheBattleofSalamiscausedPersiatocompletelyloseitsdominanceintheAegeanSea.Asitwasanexpeditionawayfromthemainland,Xerxes,kingofPersia,wasextremelyafraidofbeingcutoffbytheGreeknavy.Hisconnectionwiththemainlandcausedtheentirearmytobewipedout.SoimmediatelyledthePersianarmytowithdrawfromGreece.Sofar,GreecewonthesecondHippoWar.
In479yearsago,thePersiankingsentanarmytocommanda50,000armyforthelastexpeditiontoGreece.Spartacommandedatotalof30,000alliedforcesonthePeloponnesianPeninsulatofightthePersianarmyinadecisivebattleinPlatia,Greece.TheGreekcoalitionkilledthePersiangeneral,thePersianarmywasdefeated,andfinallywithdrewtotheeast.Inthesameyear,theGreeknavyheadedbyAthenscounterattackedPersia,invadedAsiaMinor,andcapturedByzantium,thethroatoftheMediterraneanintotheBlackSea.TheGreekcity-statesofAsiaMinorthatoriginallysurrenderedtoPersiabrokeawayfromPersianrule.In478BC,theBosnianWarendedwiththesigningoftheKariasPeaceTreatybetweenthetwosides.Sincethen,thePersianEmpirerecognizedtheindependentstatusoftheGreekcity-statesinAsiaMinorandwithdrewitstroopsfromtheAegeanandBlackSearegions.ThePersianEmpirethusdeclined.
TheSalamisbattlewithPersiaandGreecethatbrokeoutin480BCwasaturningpointintheentireHippoWar.Beforethis,Greecehasalwaysbeeninadefensiveposition.Afterthewar,Greeceturnedtoafullcounterattack.AndeventuallydefeatedPersia.AndallthisisbecauseofthevictoryoftheSalamisnavalbattle.
ThegodoftheSpartans’beliefisAres,thesonofHera,whoisalsoknownasthegodofwar.ThisisalsoverysimilartothemilitantandcruelhabitsoftheSpartans.Relationship.BothSpartansandMacedoniansbelievethattheyhavethebloodofthegreatheroHercules,andtherearelinesaboutthisbloodinthemovie"300Spartans".InthePS2game,"GodofWar"AreswaskilledbytheSpartan"Kratos"andbecamethenewGodofWar.Therefore,amongmanymodernSpartanfans,aconsiderablenumberofthemalsouse"Kratos".ThinkofitasthegodofSparta.
ThePeloponnesianWar(Πελοποννησιακόςπόλεμος)
Spartacontinuestoexpandabroadbyvirtueofitsstrongmilitarypower.In590BC,SpartaattackedTigia.After30yearsofwar,TigiawasfinallyforcedtobecomeSparta’s"ally."Incaseofwar,TigiamustprovideSpartawithtroopstofight.SpartaattackedAgosin546BCandseizedtheSeryatisPlain,forcingAgostogiveuphishegemonyinthenortheasternPeloponnesePeninsula.Fromthenon,underthethreatofforcefromSparta,allstatesonthePeloponnesianPeninsulaacceptedtheleadershipofSparta,exceptArgos,northernArcadiaandArcaya,andformedthePeloponnesianLeague.,IncludingCorinth,Sisi,andMegara.InordertomaintainthehegemonyofSparta,Spartasupportedthearistocracyinitsalliestopromoteoligarchyandformapro-Spartangovernment.
Thisallianceiscalled"Spartansandtheirallies"bytheGreeks,whichfullydemonstratesthesupremacyofSpartansinthisorganization.ThealliancestipulatesthatSpartahastherighttocallameeting.Intheallianceassembly,everycity-state,regardlessofsize,hastherighttovote.Thealliancealsostipulatedthatwhenfightingabroad,eachstatemustprovideacertainamountoftroopsandmilitaryexpenses,andbecommandedbySparta.
BeforethePeloponnesianWar,Athenscontinuedtoexpandabroad,andfinallyreachedthepeakofpolitics,economy,culture,andmilitaryaround430BC.Athenshasalargenumberofforests,minerals,coloniesintheAegeanSea,nowBulgaria,andtodayTurkey.ItalsoimplementsamilitarycolonialpolicyforthecitizensofAthens.ThestrengthofAthensmadethePeloponnesecountriesmoreandmoreuneasy,whicheventuallyledtotheoutbreakofwar.ThetwosidesofthewararefightingforthehegemonyofGreece,coloniesandnaturalresources,whichisanunjustwarofimperialism.
OneofthefuseofthewarwastheEpidanusincident.BeforethePeloponnesianWar,civiliansexpelledthenoblesandestablisheddemocraticpolitics,buttheexpelledcolludedwithaliensfromtheland.AndthesealootingAipidanus.ApidanussentenvoystothemotherstateofCoquila,butCoquilarefusedtoassisthiscolony,Apidanus.ApidanusturnedtoCorinth,themotherstateofCorkila,forhelpandpromisedtohandoverthecitytotheCorinthians.CorinthrecruitedvolunteersandvolunteerswillingtogotoEpidanustosupport.KokkilaimmediatelysentanenvoytoSpartaandaskedSpartaandotheralliestoarbitratethecase,andthreatenedtojointheDelianLeague.TheCorinthiansrefusedtowithdrawtheirtroopsandattackedKokila.Inthiscampaign,Kokilawonadecisivevictory,defeatingtheCorinthianNavyandforcingEpidanustosurrender.Afterthewar,theCorinthiansactivelyexpandedtheirarmamentstoprepareforrevenge.TheCorinthianssentenvoystoAthenstoapplyformembershipinthealliance.AthensandCorinthiansformedadefensiveallianceandjointlyrepelledtheCorinthiannavyintheensuingnavalbattle.CollinsaskedSpartatosendtroopsforassistance.
ThesecondfuseisthePotidiaincident.TheAthenianstookprecautionsagainstthePotidians.PotidiawasacolonyoftheCorinthiansandwasmanagedbyofficialsdispatchedbyCorinth,butAthensprovidedprotectionandpaidtributetoAthens.AthensorderedthePotitianstoteardownthewallfacingAthens,takehostagesandexpelofficialssentbyCorinth.CorinthhassinceopenlybecomeanenemyofAthens.AnotherenemyofAthens,theKingofMacedonia,sentenvoystoSpartatotrytolobbytheSpartanstojointhewaragainstAthens.InMacedonia,withthesupportofCorinthandtheguaranteeoftheSpartans’protectionforPotidia,thePotidians,alongwithKalkidikandPotias,launchedariot.TheAtheniangeneralKariasledtheDelianAlliancearmytoinvadePotidea.CorinthrecruitedtwothousandvolunteersandPeloponnesemercenariesforreinforcements.Asaresultofthebattle,thePeloponnesianarmywasdefeated,andtheAtheniansbesiegedPotidiaandravagedtheareasofKalkidikandPotica.
Atthecitizens’assemblyinSparta,therepresentativesoftheCorinthianstatedenouncedAthensforbreakingthetreatyandaggressiveacts,whiletheMegarastateclaimedthatAthensexcludeditfromallportsandtheAthensmarketoftheAthenianEmpire.AlltherepresentativesoftheparticipatingcountrieshopethatSpartawilldeclarewaronAthens.Archidamus,oneofthewiseandgentlekingsofSparta,lobbiedthecitizens'assemblynottostartwarrashlyonthegroundsofSpartan'spovertyandweaknavy,buttoresolveconflictsandprepareforwarthroughdiplomaticmeans.Senneledas,oneoftheinspectors,advocatedanimmediatewar.Thecitizensofthecitizenassemblystoodupanddividedintotwoparts,withtheoverwhelmingmajorityofthosewhosupportedanimmediatewar.In432/431BC,14yearsafterthe30-yearcontractwassigned,SpartaandAthenswereatwaragain.
Athens’slong-termhegemonismandmilitaryannexationhavecausedtheGreekneutralstatestofallintoAthens,andpublicopinionisobviouslybiasedtowardsSparta.Thucydideswroteinthebook"HistoryofthePeloponnesianWar":"PublicopinionisclearlyleaningtowardstheRashidDreamers(referringtotheSpartans),especiallybecausetheyclaimtobe'LiberatorofGreece.'AllGreekcity-statesandindividualsaretryingtheirbesttohelpthemwithwordsandactions...PeoplearegenerallyfilledwithrighteousindignationtowardsAthens,whetheritisthosewhodesiretobreakawayfromtheAthenianEmpireorthosewhoareworriedaboutbeingannexedbytheAthenianEmpire.Themoodisthesame."
TheSpartanarmyinvadedtheAtticaPeninsulawherethecityofAthensislocated,andbuiltafortressoutsidetheGreatWalltosiegeAthens.
In404BC,withthehelpofPersia,SpartadefeatedAthensandbecamethevictorofthePeloponnesianWarthatlastedfor27yearsandthehegemonofallGreece.SpartaimmediatelyimplementedaristocraticoligarchyledbyacouncilofthirtyinAthens.
Theprocessofdeclineandfall
TheinvasionoftheAlexanderEmpiregreatlyconsumedthenationalpowerofSparta.AfterthedeathofAlexandertheGreat,SpartaescapedfromtheshadowoftheMacedonianEmpire,butitsdeclinewasinevitable.reverse.
In272BC,theweakenedSpartansstilldefeatedKingPyrrhusofEpirus'attackintheSiegeofSparta.
AlthoughCleomenesIIItriedtoreformandbroughtSpartabacktolifewhenhewasinpower,in222BC,theSpartanarmyledbyCleomenesIIITheBattleofCelasiawaslosttothecoalitionforcesoftheLeagueofAchaiaandtheMacedonianKingAnticoIII,CleomenesIIIwasforcedtoflee,andSpartafellintodecline.Finally,in192BC,SpartawasannexedbytheLeagueofAchaia,andtheLeaguewassoondestroyedbytheRomanRepublic.SpartabecametheterritoryoftheRomanRepublicandceasedtoappearasanindependentcity-state.