Spartan Morale: social practices to manage combat stress

This paper examines social practices to manage combat stress in Spartan hoplites in the 5th century. By utilising a modern multi-layered psychological profile designed by Jason Crowley, it considers the role of specific elements of Spartan society (its social structure, education system and its treatment of cowards) in promoting combat resilience. The model has been updated to consider modern combat psychology and unique challenges presented by the source material in relation to Sparta. By applying this methodology, this paper utilizes a specific case study of Spartan conflict – the second invasion of Xerxes – to assess the effectiveness of the identified social practices. Identifying the methodological layers within a Spartan context allowed this paper to discuss how 5th century Spartan hoplites maintained the will to engage in high stress situations such as melee combat.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Bowie, Tamara Jade

• D051 Hanes yr Henfyd
• DF Groeg

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3039