In the 3rd Century B.C., Sparta was not the kingdom that she once was. She had turned away from the laws of Lycrugus which had helped her ascend to a dominating position over all of Greece. There was a political movement, at this time, to guide Sparta back to the ascetic ways of their ancient past and to restore the character and honor of the city-state. At this same time, Zeno of Citium was forming the Stoic philosophy in Athens. There was much respect in philosophy for the virtue-centric lifestyle of the ancient Spartans, and it seems that this pollination of ideas came full circle when a follower of Zeno named Sphaerus visited Sparta and influenced the soon-to-be-king Cleomenes III.
This is what the Roman historian Plutarch says about this relationship in his book On Sparta:
"He was certainly not satisfied with the state of affairs in the city, where the citizens had been lulled by inactivity and indulgence, and the king let all business slide so long as no one disturbed him in his desire to live a life of leisure and luxury in affluent circumstances. Public affairs were disregarded as everyone amassed profits for themselves privately. As for training, self-discipline on the part of the young, stamina and equality, it was unsafe so much as to mention these now that Agis and his family were dead. [Agis was a King who had recently been murdered by political rivals because he had very nearly succeeded at returning Sparta back to her roots. He had managed to have all debts erased and was in the process of redistributing all land equally between Spartan peers when he was murdered along with his wife and mother.]
While still a youth, Cleomenes is also said to have taken part in philosophical discussions at the time when Sphaerus from Olbia visited Sparta and devoted a good deal of attention to both the young men and the ephebes. Sphaerus had become one of the leading followers of Zeno of Citium and apparently he was delighted by the manliness of Cleomenes' character and tried to fire his ambition. There is a story that when the Leonidas of ancient times was asked his impression of Tyrtaeus' quality as a poet, he replied: 'A good one for firing the spirits of the young.' For the poems filled them with such excitement that they stopped caring for themselves in battle. But where great and passionate characters are concerned, Stoic doctrine has an element that is unstable and hazardous; it is rather when combined with a profound and mild temperament that it particularly develops towards its intrinsic worth."
Cleomenes III went on to enact great reforms and was greatly respected in Sparta for his plain lifestyle and the example that he set for his people.
This is what the Roman historian Plutarch says about this relationship in his book On Sparta:
"He was certainly not satisfied with the state of affairs in the city, where the citizens had been lulled by inactivity and indulgence, and the king let all business slide so long as no one disturbed him in his desire to live a life of leisure and luxury in affluent circumstances. Public affairs were disregarded as everyone amassed profits for themselves privately. As for training, self-discipline on the part of the young, stamina and equality, it was unsafe so much as to mention these now that Agis and his family were dead. [Agis was a King who had recently been murdered by political rivals because he had very nearly succeeded at returning Sparta back to her roots. He had managed to have all debts erased and was in the process of redistributing all land equally between Spartan peers when he was murdered along with his wife and mother.]
While still a youth, Cleomenes is also said to have taken part in philosophical discussions at the time when Sphaerus from Olbia visited Sparta and devoted a good deal of attention to both the young men and the ephebes. Sphaerus had become one of the leading followers of Zeno of Citium and apparently he was delighted by the manliness of Cleomenes' character and tried to fire his ambition. There is a story that when the Leonidas of ancient times was asked his impression of Tyrtaeus' quality as a poet, he replied: 'A good one for firing the spirits of the young.' For the poems filled them with such excitement that they stopped caring for themselves in battle. But where great and passionate characters are concerned, Stoic doctrine has an element that is unstable and hazardous; it is rather when combined with a profound and mild temperament that it particularly develops towards its intrinsic worth."
Cleomenes III went on to enact great reforms and was greatly respected in Sparta for his plain lifestyle and the example that he set for his people.
