The influence of the Spartan tradition on political thought has been significant since antiquity, and the myths and images of ancient Sparta remain powerful today. Contemporary portrayals often depict Sparta as a militaristic and isolated society characterized by a hyper-masculine culture (as seen in Snyder’s film 300), focused on rigorous training and constant preparation for battle. Yet alternative perspectives on the ancient city, particularly from the early modern period, have often been overlooked.
From the Byzantine world to the Humanist and Renaissance movements in Europe, Sparta was reimagined not only as a militaristic power but also as an exemplary community, admired for its values of freedom, morality, and equality, as well as the stability of its political system. In Renaissance political thought, the Spartan polity was soon interpreted as a model of classical republicanism. Its constitution was described as a “mixed” form—balancing monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy—and was credited with ensuring the stability and longevity of the Spartan state over the centuries.
The SparMod project investigates the reception and reinvention of the Spartan political ideal during the early modern period (15th–17th centuries), a pivotal moment in the development of the Spartan myth. This seminar introduces the project and presents key texts that reveal how Sparta’s image was reshaped, sometimes in ways unexpected to us today, and how it inspired the political imagination of early modern Europe.
About the lecturer
Martina Gatto is an affiliate researcher at the institute and holds a PhD in Ancient Classics from the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Her research interests include Spartan history and tradition, Greek historiography, and the modern reception of Sparta.
Interested in attending?
Please register, preferably the day before the lecture: https://nettskjema.no/a/romeseminar