Did you know that the most famous Spartan poet may not have been from Sparta? He also may not have written many of the poems that bear his name. This is yet another example of the weird collection of misconceptions known as the “Spartan Mirage” that have shaped the popular understanding of the ancient Greek city. According to some ancient sources the Spartans were incorruptible, never took bribes, and equally divided their land among the elite Spartiates. Is any of that true? What about the Spartan’s famed educational system? Should we believe tales of Spartan youths fighting through an oppressively brutal childhood warrior training? Tune-in and find out how Klingons, Conan the Barbarian, and a childish form of government all play a role in the story.

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