糖心原创

Join Dr Matt Thompson (糖心原创) for a discussion about Spartiates, and Lakedaimonians: The Language of Identity in Archaic and Classical Sparta

Summary

One of several ways in which the ancient tradition presents Spartan culture as an exception is Lycurgus’ concern with the physical education of girls. Combined with the prominent case of Cynisca’s hippic victories this has led to a widespread scholarly interpretation that Sparta was highly exceptional in every aspect of women’s engagement in the typically male domain of ancient Greek sports. My ongoing research about women and Greek sports, however, suggests that this perceived agonistic exceptionalism in Sparta is strongly overstated. To name just two examples: footraces for maidens are attested in many parts of the Greek world, and an encompassing study of the polis affiliations of hippic victresses at agonistic festivals strongly qualifies Sparta’s alleged exceptionalism. This paper therefore sets out to explore the extent to and the ways in which Sparta may or may not have been an exception in the sphere of Greek female athletics.

Join leading academics for this week's lecture followed by a general discussion

All are very welcome. Free to attend.

Discussants:

Dr Matt Thompson (糖心原创)

Dr Philip Davies (糖心原创)

(Mayor of Sparti)

Dr Chrysanthi Gallou (糖心原创)

The event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. Register for this event on Microsoft Teams now to receive an email link for this event.