What the Athenians & Spartans Can Teach Us About Courage

Lead and lead with Courage and Humility.

 

Many people think “being a boss” is leadership. Being a “boss” is weakness. It is a person who feels they are required to inflate their own ego to satiate their own stupidity.

 

 

The Athenians were masters of the naval battlefield, fought like champions at sea, and yet had tremendous bad habits.

 

Habits that cost them many things in the Peloponnese war.

 

When men are lured and lulled in by the siren of status, money, power, career, they think it brings them Freedom. 

 

Freedom, that often costs them their liberty. 

 

Liberty that their watchful quiet neighbours, The City state of Sparta, possessed.

 

The Spartans were in direct command of fighting on land, and proved their brevity and courage in doing so during the Battle of Thermopylae.

 

A battle where when their shields and swords gave way, men with their courage and discipline, fought with their bare hands. 

 

Hands that had been trained in combat repeatedly, in many ways. 

 

Content with what they possessed, they lived by maxims of Self Mastery, and Emboldened Power. 

 

Their women, the Spartanites, walked with a Laconic Education. Skilled in Warfare, Defense, Intelligence, and a Unique Feminine Charm.

 

Princess Cyniscia, daughter of King Archidamus II & Queen Eupolia, proves us just that.

 

Cyniscia, means girl puppy but she was no one’s little pet. She was a Queen Regent in her own right. Not a Queen Consort.

 

She didn’t have to marry a man who was a King/Emperor to be considered worthy. She carried herself, as such. Many men adored and admired her strength.

 

Courage, comes from facing all we do not wish to face.

 

And that too, with POWER.

 

The Spartans, teach us the maxim of ENDURANCE.

 

When the men go into the arena to fight and some long give up hope.

 

When men try too hard to gain favour and impress others.

 

A man of a Spartan heart, stands tall, brave, and in victory of PATIENCE.

He can endure. 

So can his wife, a Spartanite. She is loyal to him and his purpose.

The Spartanite tends to his emotions and stands with him as a counterpart. 

Not a woman he has to rescue or save.

A woman who encourages and empowers him every day of his life. 

 

The Athenians lust and are drunk for easy power, and a grandiose state.

 

They are now forced to secure bigger merchants to satiate their greed.

 

The Spartan brothers rally round eating their manna, content in what they have, encourage brotherhood and tenets of Character and Loyalty.

 

The Spartan knows that his business is a trial of endurance, patience, and support.

 

The Athenian focuses on the glamour. Glamour, soon wears off.

 

He is then forced to look at things as they are. No longer does hopping from one business to the other feed his soul.

 

Would it be wise for the Athenian to pay his Spartan brother a visit? Perhaps ask him his tactics.

 

Or if he is feeling rather brave, ask the Spartan’s wife, the Spartanite he married, for guidance?

 

After all, Athenian men think little of women, as Athenian women are dependent and feeble as such. They cannot make their decisions without men.

 

He soon comes to find a different story with the Spartan women he meets who have an outspoken manner and quick wit.

 

Now, Courage is presented to us and as we turn this chapter, we ask ourselves what the Spartans do that helps us live better?

 

What would you ask them about YOUR life?