What were the ethics of the Spartans?

During the Peloponnesian War Sparta's enemies allegedly joked that it was no wonder the Spartans were willing to die in battle -- because no one would have liked to live the way they did. read more

Spartan ethics were as follows: Do not surrender or retreat in battle; come back with your shield or upon it. Uphold, obey and honor the Spartan state, constitution, laws and your commanders. Do not display weakness or complain if you are hungry, tired or dissatisfied during warfare. Have male children to provide good warriors for the state. read more

Ancient Greece and Ethics Early Greece was the birthplace of Western philosophical ethics. The ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who flourished in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, will be discussed in the next section. read more

The Spartans believed themselves the Sons of Heracles who were given the right to rule Lakedaemonia in myth by Heracles. The story goes King Tyndareus Helen of Troy’s stepfather, lost the throne and Heracles put him back on it. He was to keep it safe until his heirs showed up. The Spartans believed they were his heirs. read more