Anthony Sattin

The luxurious lives of Sparta’s women

Famously beautiful, witty and promiscuous, they ruled the roost while their men endured one long boot camp, says Andrew Bayliss

Dancers during the Karneia, the religious festivals celebrated in Sparta in honour of Apollo Karneios, the protector of cattle. Bridgeman Images

  • The Spartans

    Andrew J. Bayliss

    OUP, pp. 192, £10

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Rod Liddle

Are Stonewall and Mermaids charitable?

Rod Liddle
From the magazine
Iwas once asked by a colleague to sponsor him on an undertaking designed, he said, to raise money for a very good charitable cause. I can’t remember what the cause was – cancer, maybe, or mental kids – but I do remember the nature of the undertaking. He intended to walk a number of miles

Because you read about ancient history

Also by Anthony Sattin

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in