Do Greeks that were born and reside in Sparta, and/or Laconia in general, still feel a connection to Ancient Sparta, Leonidas, and the Spartans today? I have always wondered this and if it bothers them and other Greeks that people use the image of Spartans as mascots and costumes.
I had to research a little bit because I am a northerner and I didn’t know much about Spartan traditions. But I am from the geographical department of Macedonia and I know that Alexander the Great is still considered an important and honored figure. This shows in our traditional songs, attires and fairytales. Now, on to Sparti:
Spartans call their unions, channels and teams with ancient names such as “Lakonizin” (Λακωνίζειν). They have a marathon with ancient roots, Spartathlon, in memory of Fedepedes in 490 BC who run the distance Athens-Sparta in one day! (In 1984 the Greek Yannis Kouros took the record because he run the distance in 20 hours!) They still dance the ancient warrior dance Πυρρίχιος (Peereeheos) as in many towns in Greece. They hold up festivals for the local products and one of them is for the Laconian olive and Laconian olive oil in August.
Μodern Sparti is built just a little south of the ancient town and, as every town in Greece it has a full archeological museum.
The grave of Leonidas is inside the town:
There is a statue of Leonidas in Sparta’s square:
There is also one in Thermopylae:
With those old and new monuments I am suspecting people will feel a connection. Lol
Celebrating the beginning of Spartathlon (those are NOT Hellenic Polytheists):
Spartans posing as ancient soldiers (as far as I know its not a far right thing):
The football team of Sparti “The Spartans” posing in front of Leonidas:
A winner of Spartathlon kissing the feet of the statue of Leonidas. It's not idol worshiping, of course. It’s showing respect to the heritage and culture and bravery.
Also take a look at the honorary emblem of Sparta
The Greek man who voiced Alexios in AC Odyssey, Michael Antonakos, is a Lacon from Mani*, a small town next to Sparti. He was very happy and proud to have this role! The man who played Leonidas, Elias Toufexis, was also of Greek descent. It was a big deal for us Greeks because we rarely see ourselves playing Greek roles or lending our voice to Greek characters.
*The revolution of 1821 started from the Peloponnise, from the Lakones. Peloponnisians are known to be harsh, brave and to sacrifice themselves for their honor or the honor of the country. The places of Mistras, Mani and Monemvasia have a legacy when it comes to this. (The locals know more such places of brave people but my knowledge is limited).
To dress up as a Spartan soldier could be ok (I don’t like it very much when foreigners do it but it’s for fun) but to dress up as Leonidas is borderline disrespectful – because such a leader cannot be a costume. For the mascots I really hope it’s done in a more honorary way. But I know people are not always honoring. On top of it, it’s a trend for foreigners to separate Greek culture from Greece and use it as a pop culture reference so what did you expect? They think we have forgotten our heritage so it’s ok for them to play with it as if they are its new masters.
