Lacedaemonians

Lacedaemonians or Lacedaemonians ( ancient Greek Λακεδαιμόνιοι Lakedaimonioi ; Latin lacedaemonii ) is an ancient synonym for the Spartans , derived from their mythical ancestor Lacedaemon , and at the same time the historical name of the Spartan state, since personal names for self and foreign were common in the bsp . Ancient Greek οἳ Ἀθηναῖοι hoi Athēnaíoi , German , the Athenians' for Polis Athens).

In both senses, the free inhabitants of the Spartan state structure are meant, the Spartians and Periöks , whose home country was the Peloponnesian landscape of Laconia . Thus, this term includes all citizens, while full citizenship was only granted to the Spartians. However, since the Periöks were obliged, for example, to military success or played an important role in the Spartan economy and thus were an important part of the Spartan community, the name Lacedaemonians is preferable in a political context.

Aristotle uses both the terms Lacedaimonians and Spartans in his work Politics while discussing the Spartan state .

literature

• Hans Volkmann : Sparta. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 5, Stuttgart 1975, Col. 292-297 (here: Col. 292 f.).