Wednesday, November 12 at 7:45 pm
Sparta and the Sea | Nicholas Cross – Naval Historian
Sponsored by Congregation Har Shalom - special admission ($5)
 
The Spartans are commonly depicted as the quintessential land army but also as incompetent in maritime matters. Even when they assumed control of the seas at the end of the Peloponnesian War, it was only for a few years.
 
But this view of their unfamiliarity with the sea comes from Atheno-centric sources and the “Spartan mirage,” the exaggerated view of Spartan militarism. Instead, as this presentation will show, there had been maritime ventures beginning early in Sparta's history.
 
There are several literary references and some archaeological evidence for their harbors along the Peloponnesus, from where they must have embarked on colonization expeditions throughout the Mediterranean.
 
This lecture will be held in the Social Hall of the Bender JCC, located at 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852. Free parking.