The Battle of Thermopylae left one Spartan survivor, Aristodemus, and so he fought suicidally at Plataea a year later in 479BC, giving his life, but as you heard failing to impress his fellow Spartans. The commander of the Greek troops against the Persians that day was Pausanias, Spartan Regent and a quite fascinating figure who, according to Daniel Ogden his biographer, was responsible more than any other Greek for the preservation of Western Civilisation as we know it. He joins me to discuss Ancient Sparta, the influential king Cleomenes and Pausanias himself.
Daniel Ogden Links
Pausanias of Sparta
Regulus
History Book Club Shop
Oliver Webb-Carter Links
Substack
Who Cares Who Wins?
Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor
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Email me: owcpods@gmail.com
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