How the citizen-warrior was created in Classical Athens and Sparta

McConnell, Nicola Alexandria (2015) How the citizen-warrior was created in Classical Athens and Sparta. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study explores how Classical Athens and Sparta created the warrior citizen and continued to motivate citizens to fight throughout their lives. It engages with the issues of the 'hoplite ideal', exploring the extent to which it existed in practice and the implications of hoplite ideology for other types of warrior. This study also considers various methods of training and proliferation of state ideology, both formal modes of training such as the Spartan agoge and also informal modes of training such as hunting. Modern sociological and psychological evidence regarding military training and the fostering of aggression are also considered. The important role of religious beliefs and mythology are examined with both the role of gods in battle (for example, in pre-battle sacrifices) and also the depiction of gods and heroes as military figures are considered as potential motivating factors. The potential for inter-state rivalries as played out during Panhellenic festivals and as displayed in Panhellenic sanctuaries is also explored as a motivating factor for individuals and for the state as a whole.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Hoplite, Classical Greece, Classical Athens, Classical Sparta, combat motivation, ancient warfare, Greek warfare, Greek athletics
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DF Greece
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Classics
• Supervisor's Name: Hau, Dr. Lisa
• Date of Award: 2015
• Depositing User: Miss NA McConnell
• Unique ID: glathesis:2015-6854
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2015 10:28
• Last Modified: 23 Nov 2015 15:15
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/6854