SPARTA (city in Laconia)
City and city-state in ancient Greece
- Also called
- Lacedaemon
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Laconia
- Landmarks
- Shrine of Talthybius Pausanias 7.24.1
- People of myth here
- Aristodemus, Castor, Eteoneus, Helen of Troy, Hermione, Hippocoon, Icarius, Leda, Megapenthes, Menelaus, Nicostratus, Pollux, Polybus, Tisamenus, Tyndareus
- Where
- 37.07° N, 22.43° E
Helen was taken from this city by Alexander. Apollodorus 3.12.6 The city had a system of kingship involving two distinct royal houses, with one house holding greater honor due to primogeniture rights. Herodotus 6.51.1 Sparta is located within the region of Laconia. Euripides, Andromache 147-182
Described in the sources
Menelaus was summoned to this city to receive the kingdom from Tyndareus. Apollodorus 3.11.2 +2 Telemachus traveled to Sparta to seek news of his father and visited the palace of Menelaus. Odyssey 1 ¶7 +2 Philippides was dispatched by the Athenian generals to Lacedaemon to deliver news about the Persian landing in Attica, arriving the day after departing from Athens. Herodotus 6.105.1 +2 Helen resides in this city with her former husband. Euripides, Iphigenia Among the Tauri 492-539 +1 Sparta was the location from which Alexandrus and Helen departed for Ilium. Strabo 9.1.22 +1 The house of Tyndareus, where the sons of Leda were born, is located in Sparta. Argonautica 1 ¶24 +1 Aristagoras was compelled to depart from this city-state before the sun went down. Herodotus 5.50.3 +1 The ancient Messenian city of Pylus is located four hundred stadia to the west of Sparta. Strabo 8.3.17 +1 Demaratus remained at Sparta before going into voluntary exile from Lacedaemonia after losing the kingship. Herodotus 6.51.1 +1 Theopompus, son of Nicander, was a reigning king of the other royal house in Lacedaemon during the conflict with Argos. Pausanias 3.7.5 +1
Gods and worship
Youth companies sacrifice puppies to Enyalius at the Phoebaeum. Pausanias 3.14.9 The city performs sacrificial rites to Talthybius, treating him as a hero. Pausanias 7.24.1 The Phiditia feasts in Sparta were conducted with extreme care and attention. Athenaeus 5.2 The god of war associated with Sparta is considered mightier than the local deity. Pausanias 4.12.4
Stories and history
The Lacedaemonians defeated the Tegeans in a war after receiving their bones, having previously fought them unsuccessfully. Herodotus 1.65.1 +2 Demaratus united the Arcadians against Sparta. Athenaeus 6.24 +1 The Spartans were accused of abandoning their allies during the conflict. Herodotus 5.92A.2 +1 The Lacedaemonians fought the Argives over the Thyreatid district during Theopompus' reign. Pausanias 3.2.3 +1 The Lacedaemonians were the only Greeks who were bitter enemies of the Achaeans, whom they refused to lead during the Trojan War. Pausanias 7.6.4 +1 Orestes succeeded to the throne of Sparta. Pausanias 2.18.5 Machanidas became the despot of Lacedaemon. Pausanias 8.50.2 The tyranny of Nabis in Sparta was overthrown. Pausanias 7.8.4 The king of Sparta died while defending Hellas. Herodotus 8.114.2 Cleonymus committed hostile acts against Sparta. Pausanias 3.6.3
Myths set at Sparta
- The Abduction and Flight from Sparta. hook: "Paris, a Trojan prince, arrives in Sparta and carries Helen away from her home, an act attributed by some to Zeus's will or a goddess's aid.", "goal": "Helen departs Sparta with Paris, taking significant treasures and abandoning her daughter, leading to the siege of Troy.", "outcome": "Helen is taken to Troy, where she is held by Menelaus against her will, while the abduction causes great destruction among Greeks and Barbarians."}, Apollodorus 3.12.6 +5
- The Abduction of Helen. hook: Theseus and Peirithous kidnap a young girl from a temple in Sparta. goal: Theseus seeks to possess Helen, either by winning her in a contest or by force, to secure a connection with the Dioscuri. outcome: The Dioscuri sack Aphidna and Athens, taking Helen and Theseus's mother Aethra back to Lacedaemon. Apollodorus 3.10.7 +5 Theseus
- The Abduction of Helen. Menelaus was robbed of his wife Helen by Alexandrus while he was away on a journey to Crete. He traveled through Greece to invoke the oath of Tyndareus, declaring the suitors' duty to help him recover his stolen property. Euripides, Helen 666-697 +5 Menelaus
- The Abduction of Helen. Paris, guided by Aphrodite, travels to Sparta to abduct Helen, violating hospitality and causing a Greek expedition against Troy. He sails away with Helen and Sidonian treasures, leading to widespread destruction among Greeks and Barbarians. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 385-402 +5 Paris
- The Abduction of Helen. hook: Menelaus hosts Paris in Sparta but leaves for Crete, allowing Paris to abduct Helen. goal: Menelaus sets out to reclaim his wife and wage war against Troy. outcome: The Greek fleet sails to Troy to punish Paris for the violation of hospitality. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.3 +5 Menelaus
- The Abduction of Helen. hook: "Theseus and Pirithous agreed to marry the daughters of Zeus." goal: "Theseus carried off Helen from Sparta to fulfill a compact to marry a daughter of Zeus." outcome: "Zeus willed that Hermes should steal Helen and transport her to Egypt."} Apollodorus, Epitome 1.23 +5 Zeus
- The Abduction of Helen by Theseus. hook: "Theseus abducted the twelve-year-old Helen from Sparta, an act that triggered war in Attica.", "goal": "Theseus sought to keep Helen safe and claim her as his wife through a casting of lots.", "outcome": "The Dioscuri captured Athens, rescued Helen, and returned her to Lacedaemon, leading to Theseus's banishment."}, Apollodorus, Epitome 1.23 +5
- The Arrival and Supper of Telemachus. Telemachus arrives in Lacedaemon and is welcomed by King Menelaus, who orders a lavish supper to be prepared for the guest. Menelaus hosts the meal with great honor, serving roasted beef and gold cups, while deferring questions about the guest's identity until after the feast. Athenaeus 1.15 +5 Menelaus
- The Exile of Tyndareus. Hippocoon forces Tyndareus to flee his kingdom in Lacedaemon. Tyndareus seeks refuge with Thestius and eventually settles in Thalamae where his children are born. Apollodorus 3.10.5 +5 Tyndareus
- The Fate of the Dioscuri. Leda, residing in Sparta, sends her sons Castor and Polydeuces to guide swift-footed steeds. It is decreed that one son must die while the other becomes immortal. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +5 Leda
- The Journey to Sparta. Paris travels to Greece and sails to Sparta to seek Helen, despite warnings from Oenone. He stays as a guest of Menelaus, establishing a bond of guest-friendship. Apollodorus 3.12.6 +5 Paris
- The Oath of the Suitors. Odysseus travels to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage. He proposes that all suitors swear an oath to defend the chosen bridegroom to prevent quarrels. Apollodorus 3.10.6 +5 Odysseus
28 more
- The Recovery of Orestes' Bones. The Pythia advised bringing back the bones of Orestes to win against the Tegeans. Orestes' bones were transported from Tegea to Lacedaemon and buried there. Herodotus 1.67.2 +5 Orestes
- The Restoration of Tyndareus. Hercules subjugates Lacedaemon and kills the usurper Hippocoon and his sons to restore Tyndareus to the throne. Tyndareus is commanded to hold the kingdom for Hercules' descendants. Apollodorus 2.7.3 +5 Tyndareus
- The Seduction of Helen in Sparta. Paris arrives in Sparta and uses divine commands and threats to persuade Helen to elope with him. Helen yields to his advances, leaving her husband Menelaus to sail away with the Trojan prince. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.3 +5
- The Suitors of Helen. hook: Greek kings traveled to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage. goal: Menelaus sought to win Helen as his wife. outcome: Tyndareus selected Menelaus as her bridegroom. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +5
- The Suitors' Plot Against Telemachus. The suitors plot to kill Telemachus and divide his property, but an omen and Amphinomus's objection cause them to abandon the murder. Telemachus travels to Sparta to seek allies while the suitors fear he might return with poison. Odyssey 16 ¶35 +5 Telemachus
- The Trial of Orestes. Tyndareus, King of Sparta, confronts Orestes with intense hatred, labeling him a matricide and viper. He threatens to have Orestes and his sister stoned to death and warns Menelaus against protecting him. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.25 +5 Tyndareus
- The Voyage to Troy. Helen and Alexandrus set sail from Sparta, but a storm driven by Hera forces them to stop in Sidon. They eventually reach Troy, where Helen is delivered to the descendants of Priam. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.4 +5
- The Wedding of Menelaus and Helen. Menelaus travels to Sparta to compete for Helen's hand and is selected by Tyndareus as her husband. He takes Helen as his wife and receives the kingdom of Sparta as her dowry. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +5 Menelaus
- The Abduction of Helen. hook: "Pirithous persuades his friend Theseus to join him in a daring raid on Sparta to steal the young Helen. goal: "The pair aims to seize Helen and escape with her to Athens. outcome: "They successfully carry Helen off, but are pursued by enemies until they reach Tegea."} Apollodorus, Epitome 1.23 +4 Pirithous
- The Capture of Aethra by the Dioscuri. The Dioscuri seize the city of Aphidnae and capture Aethra, who was guarding Helen. Aethra is dragged away from Athens and brought to Lacedaemon as a slave. Apollodorus 3.10.7 +4 Aethra
- The Death of Lycurgus. Lycurgus, the Spartan legislator, lived to an extreme old age and improved the city's laws. He was eventually killed by Oenomaus, though one account claims he was later resurrected by Aesculapius. Apollodorus 3.10.3 +4
- The Marriage of Helen and Menelaus. hook: "Helen was seen by Menelaus with her breasts uncovered." goal: "Helen was brought to Sparta to become Menelaus's bride." outcome: "Helen and Menelaus feasted together after the main wedding celebrations ended."} Athenaeus 5.13 +4
- Athena Aids Telemachus in Sparta. Athena travels to Sparta to urge Telemachus to leave immediately. She grants him a divine appearance and sends a favorable wind to ensure his swift return. Odyssey 15 ¶1 +3 Athena
- Athena's Council to Aid Odysseus. hook: Minerva questions Zeus about his continued anger toward Ulysses despite past sacrifices. goal: Minerva plans to guide Telemachus to Sparta and Pylos to seek news and confront the suitors. outcome: Minerva travels to Ithaca to encourage Telemachus and ensure he gains a good reputation. Odyssey 1 ¶32 +3 Athena
- The Contest for Helen's Hand. hook: Protesilaus travels to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage. goal: He aims to win Helen by sending messages to Tyndareus and offering many bridal gifts. outcome: "" Apollodorus 3.10.8 +3 Protesilaus
- The Cult and Shrines of Cadmus. Spartans built a hero-shrine for Cadmus, while Thebans and Miletus claim his former home and citizenship. The story ends with multiple cities asserting their connection to the mythological founder. Pausanias 3.15.8 +3 Cadmus
- The Division of Lacedaemon. Aristodemus's twin sons cast stones into a pitcher to determine their share of Lacedaemon. The Pythian priestess approved the establishment of two royal houses from these sons. Apollodorus 2.8.4 +3 Aristodemus
- The Marriage to Penelope. Odysseus wins a foot-race to marry Penelope but refuses to stay in Lacedaemon. He takes her to Ithaca after she agrees to join him. Pausanias 3.12.2 +3 Odysseus
- The Assembly at Aulis. hook: "Peneleus joins the assembly of nobles preparing to sail on the Argo." goal: "He travels to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage." outcome: "He contributes fifty ships, each carrying one hundred and twenty young men, to the military expedition."} Apollodorus 1.9.16 +2 Peneleus
- The Defense of Sparta. The Dioscuri appear to the Lacedaemonians during a feast in their camp, prompting the soldiers to bow and pray. The brothers then ride through the enemy forces, killing many with spears to deter an attack on Sparta. Pausanias 4.16.9 +2
- The Guardianship of the Infant Heir. Lycurgus assumes the role of guardian for the infant heir to the Spartan throne. He raises the child, ensuring the continuity of the royal line. Argonautica 1 ¶27 +2
- The Marriage of Helen. Diomedes traveled to Sparta with other Greek kings to seek Helen's hand in marriage. He led the Argive contingent of eighty dark ships filled with skilled warriors. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +2 Diomedes
- Teucer's Visit to Menelaos in Sparta. Teucer travels to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage, only to witness Menelaos dragging a Spartan woman by her hair. He reports that Menelaos and his wife disappeared during a storm and that Menelaos is reported dead throughout Hellas. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +1 Teucer
- The Abandonment of Hermione in Sparta. Hermione is left behind in Sparta at age nine when her mother Helen flees with Alexander. The story ends with Hermione remaining in Sparta after Helen's departure. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.3 +1 Hermione
- The Death of Iphiclus. hook: Iphiclus joins the campaign against Sparta. goal: Iphiclus fights in the battle against the sons of Hippocoön. outcome: Iphiclus is killed, causing Heracles to grieve and leave Arcadia. Diodorus 4.33 +1
- The Departure from Lacedaemon. hook: "Penelope prepares to leave Lacedaemon for Ithaca after marrying Odysseus.", Pausanias 3.20.10 +1 Penelope
- The Journey to Sparta for Helen. Eumelus traveled to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage. He rose up to join the group of warriors following the counsel. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +1 Eumelus
- The Return to Sparta and the Funeral Rites for Agamemnon. Menelaos returns to Sparta claiming to be the sole survivor of a shipwreck that killed Agamemnon. He plans to sail with Helen to perform funeral rites but stops her from approaching the tomb to protect her from hostile crowds. Euripides, Helen 1067-1106 +1 Menelaus
And 7 more in the codex.