Post by Xoel on Jan 1, 2011 21:33:41 GMT 12
Lakedaemon will be one of the most major poleis in this project. For clarity, I would like to firstly explain that it is more commonly known as "Lakedaemon".
Lakedaemon was not Lakedaemon's original name, and therefore isn't appropriate for this project, which aims to be as historical as possible. Also, I want to push away from the modern misconception of Lakedaemon as a boneheaded, psychotic, suicidal city of madmen who would kill anything in their way.
Spartiates (the uppermost caste of Lacedaemonian society) were calm, witty, rational men, deeply philosophical. They were known for keeping such nature to themselves, being quiet, and when they did speak, it was focussed, and to the point. Spartiates were famous for their "laconic wit", tightly delivered humour that was direct, to the point, and usually quite showing of their wisdom.
Plato said of them: "... they conceal their wisdom, and pretend to be blockheads, so that they may seem to be superior only because of their prowess in battle ... This is how you may know that I am speaking the truth and that the Spartans are the best educated in philosophy and speaking: if you talk to any ordinary Lakedaemonian, he seems to be stupid, but eventually, like some expert marksman, he shoots in some brief remark that proves you to be only a child."
For instance, two Spartiates were travelling past Athenai and one noted with wonder the tall walls around the city. The other simply said: "What women must live in this city."
Someone asked why Lakedaemon had no walls. A nearby strategos (general) pointed to his men and said "There are her walls."
Famously:
Someone at Thermopylae told the Spartiates that the Persians could fire enough arrows at once to blot out the sun. Dienekes replied: "All the better, we shall fight in the shade."
Often, laconic phrase included a fair amount of sarcasm, which, in movies like 300, is misaccented to simply sound heroic and insane.
Lakedaemon was represented by the colour red, Spartiates wore bright red cloaks to battle, and their shields were adorned with painted red lamda ^ symbols (the first letter of Lakedaemon in Greek). Until the end of the Pelepponesian War, the Lacedaemonians had no effective navy, but were considered, by far, superior on land to any other armed force in the world.
Lakedaemon had a rigid and unbending "eugenics" program. Any sign of defect was long removed from Lakedaemon's Spartiate regiments by 429BC. Unlike other states, Spartiates had their training, armour, weapons, and life expenses paid for. The men ate together in barracks, the simplest and harshest foods, while women took care of the households and were considered the most free and equal women in Greece.
Unlike other Greek states, Lakedaemon had a very negative stance on homosexuality and pederastery. Any sign of un-necessary indulgence was frowned upon and cast out. In doing this, Spartiates considered themselves free of human corruption, and therefore freer than any other men. They grew long hair and beards.
Spartiates bore plain armour and weaponry, with exceptions for those distinguished in battle. I'll be distinguishing this in the project. The basic Spartiate armour consisted of a round hoplon shield, designed to cover from shoulder to knee when the bearer was in combat stance, a pilos (bronze cap), a basic chestplate, leg greaves, a spear and a shortsword. I will hopefully make these items appear in the inventory of newly created Spartiates, if not, an NPC distributor will be set up. Pawning these items off would result in IC execution.
Players who distinguish themselves in battles against the Athenians can expect to be given suitable honourable pieces and sets of armour.
Lakedaemon was not Lakedaemon's original name, and therefore isn't appropriate for this project, which aims to be as historical as possible. Also, I want to push away from the modern misconception of Lakedaemon as a boneheaded, psychotic, suicidal city of madmen who would kill anything in their way.
Spartiates (the uppermost caste of Lacedaemonian society) were calm, witty, rational men, deeply philosophical. They were known for keeping such nature to themselves, being quiet, and when they did speak, it was focussed, and to the point. Spartiates were famous for their "laconic wit", tightly delivered humour that was direct, to the point, and usually quite showing of their wisdom.
Plato said of them: "... they conceal their wisdom, and pretend to be blockheads, so that they may seem to be superior only because of their prowess in battle ... This is how you may know that I am speaking the truth and that the Spartans are the best educated in philosophy and speaking: if you talk to any ordinary Lakedaemonian, he seems to be stupid, but eventually, like some expert marksman, he shoots in some brief remark that proves you to be only a child."
For instance, two Spartiates were travelling past Athenai and one noted with wonder the tall walls around the city. The other simply said: "What women must live in this city."
Someone asked why Lakedaemon had no walls. A nearby strategos (general) pointed to his men and said "There are her walls."
Famously:
Someone at Thermopylae told the Spartiates that the Persians could fire enough arrows at once to blot out the sun. Dienekes replied: "All the better, we shall fight in the shade."
Often, laconic phrase included a fair amount of sarcasm, which, in movies like 300, is misaccented to simply sound heroic and insane.
Lakedaemon was represented by the colour red, Spartiates wore bright red cloaks to battle, and their shields were adorned with painted red lamda ^ symbols (the first letter of Lakedaemon in Greek). Until the end of the Pelepponesian War, the Lacedaemonians had no effective navy, but were considered, by far, superior on land to any other armed force in the world.
Lakedaemon had a rigid and unbending "eugenics" program. Any sign of defect was long removed from Lakedaemon's Spartiate regiments by 429BC. Unlike other states, Spartiates had their training, armour, weapons, and life expenses paid for. The men ate together in barracks, the simplest and harshest foods, while women took care of the households and were considered the most free and equal women in Greece.
Unlike other Greek states, Lakedaemon had a very negative stance on homosexuality and pederastery. Any sign of un-necessary indulgence was frowned upon and cast out. In doing this, Spartiates considered themselves free of human corruption, and therefore freer than any other men. They grew long hair and beards.
Spartiates bore plain armour and weaponry, with exceptions for those distinguished in battle. I'll be distinguishing this in the project. The basic Spartiate armour consisted of a round hoplon shield, designed to cover from shoulder to knee when the bearer was in combat stance, a pilos (bronze cap), a basic chestplate, leg greaves, a spear and a shortsword. I will hopefully make these items appear in the inventory of newly created Spartiates, if not, an NPC distributor will be set up. Pawning these items off would result in IC execution.
Players who distinguish themselves in battles against the Athenians can expect to be given suitable honourable pieces and sets of armour.