Spartan Creed Poem Analysis

Ponder the possibility of being surrounded by your family, not by blood, but by the commitment, you are very aware that they are willing to forfeit their lives if that means saving yours, and you the same. This family has been your family ever since the age of seven, and now you all must fight alongside one another in order to protect, as well as expand your power and land. As the battle is about to start, your general begins an oration, as the speech proceeds, you feel empowered. The aforementioned may have been a generalization of the emotion and events that ensued prior to war, but the concept remains the same. The “Spartan Creed,” was a war poem written around 650 B.C. by Tyrtaeus. This poem embodied and performed what a pep rally does …show more content…
The importance of knowing that he was giving a pep rally of sorts to soldiers preparing for war ties the poem all together. How? He begins the poem by acknowledging and boasting about the virtuous, valiant, and committed characteristics Spartans were known for. He then summons a couple of reasons what they are battling for, their beloved land and family. Midways the creed, he enlightens the soldiers of the courageous deeds and acts that go on war, as he continues, he denotes that the soldiers are each others’ protectors, this statement would create a close bond between the soldiers. He elaborates on the pride that comes along with battle and how the entire city, young and old would embrace the soldier after a win. However, the next section of the poem glorifies the death of a soldier, acknowledging the legacy of a hero would leave and one that no one would be able to tarnish. The author’s proclamation of the beneficial effects would feed the Spartan warriors thirst for bloodshed, their eagerness to go to war, and provide a boost of immortality, since Tyrtaeus reinforced that dying in battle means the body and soul is absent from earth, but the Spartan’s accomplishments live on forever through the hearts, mouths, and stories of the ones left behind. Tyrtaeus secondary audience was the civilians of Sparta, the non-Spartan citizens, …show more content…
While other city-states were known for their philosophers and writers, Sparta had a different identity, which involved a strong military power. Historical events that were taken place during the creation of this text were the Second Messenian War. The Messenia’s and Spartans were fighting over land and power. The Spartan Creed is a set of a larger serious of elegies and war poems. The aforementioned knowledge allows the readers to comprehend the mindset of the time, which was mainly war, it deepens the understanding, that even though the all the poems and elegies differ, the theme is constant and emphasizes the importance of heroism, as well as the importance of protecting the common good of their