‘Sparta’ in Taunton on 29 April…

I would like to invite teachers to a free talk by Dr Stephen Hodkinson (Nottingham University) on Monday 29th April at 6 pm in the Old Library, Taunton School.  To reserve a place please contact:

christopher.l-martin@tauntonschool.co.uk

Dr Stephen Hodkinson (Nottingham University) will speak about: ‘New Approaches to Classical Sparta’ (relevant to GCSE and A level).

He will discuss evidence that questions or qualifies some commonly-held views that underpin the notion that Sparta was an exceptional society: that the lifestyle of Spartan citizens was closely controlled by the Spartan state; that this close control was dictated by the need for security against the helots; that the helot threat made Sparta a military society focused on army training; and that Spartan women were both exceptional enforcers of the Spartan male code and exceptionally liberated in their personal lives.

I hope you will be able to make it.