So you want to be an Spartan

Spartan Heritage Profile

Spartans are generally part of an embassy located in Helike. Sparta is interested in maintaining a presence at this port city, so close to their perennial frenemies, the Athenians. It is a known fact that Sparta would happily invade Helike and claim it if they thought they could.

Spartans can be spotted wearing their signature red cloaks with Lambda symbols. They are also seen carrying spears, shields and short swords. Although magic is not a common profession for Spartans, when in Helike…do as the Helikii do.

Spartans often take on work as town guard and caravan escorts. This makes them a welcome component of Helike society- most of the time. They tend to judge the perfumed merchants and magic users of the port city harshly. This doesn’t stop them from a visit to the Oracle Cave or temples of Apollo and Artemis before a battle. In fact, of all the heritages, Spartans place particular stock in the visions of Oracles.

Although well respected and always deferred to in martial matters- Sparta is not what it once was. Spartan society used to be divided into 3 general echelons: Spartiates who could trace their lineage back to the old families and had gone through the Agoge public education system. When you speak of a Spartan Citizen, this is what is generally meant. They are at the apex of their world and devote their time to the Spartan State and Military. This leaves little to no time for things such as a workaday job.  Spartiates relegated manual labor and financial transactions to the Periokoi(freedmen) or Helots(slave/serfs). However, due to the constant state of war for Sparta and a very slow system of replacing Spartan Citizens- the Periokoi and Helots outnumber the Spartans Citizens greatly. As such, Periokoi and Helots have become pretty free about calling themselves Spartans.

As a point of pride, Spartans will keep a Periokoi as an assistant. This Periokoi will carry the coin and handle any merchanting.  Spartans have full faith that the Spartan State will provide them with anything they may need- and this is generally true. Spartans don’t horde wealth, so the State doesn’t have to provide much unless battle is imminent. If a Spartan wants a wagon or horses to take them somewhere it is a safe bet that compensation will be arranged.

Spartans are noted for their Laconic Wit. This is something raised to an art. You may have heard the famous quote of Xerxes:

“Our arrows will blot out the sun”

“Then we will fight in the shade”- Leonidas

Another quote, found in a letter was about invading Lacadamon (Spartan lands):

“If I have to go to Lacadamon, I am razing Sparta”

The letter back said simply: “If”

In Helike the Captain of the Guard, Agathon, is the Spartan Envoy. It is believed by the Council of Archons that, by giving this duty to a leading Spartan, Helike will win the respect of Sparta simply by being the best city in the world. At the very least, Sparta may turn her eyes towards more easily conquered cities. While no one would disagree that this Captain was the best man for the job, this conflict of interest is a sore subject at times. 

Spartans traveling through Helike are expected to call upon Agathon and make a report. Occasionally, Agathon will have work for them. The barracks are generally open to Spartans who wish to stay there.

The punishment for failing on official duty is severe. Do not fall asleep on guard duty, do not walk away from your post. If you are on a mission, there better be a good reason for failure. Don’t worry, you’ll get to try or die again. Lazy or incapable Spartans don’t make it to adulthood.