Topical Encyclopedia The Lacedaemonians, more commonly known as Spartans, were the inhabitants of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, located in the region of Laconia in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese. Known for their military prowess and austere lifestyle, the Spartans played a significant role in Greek history. Although the Bible does not directly mention the Lacedaemonians, they are referenced in the Apocryphal books, which are included in some Christian traditions.Historical Context The Lacedaemonians were renowned for their disciplined and militaristic society. From a young age, Spartan males were trained to become warriors, emphasizing strength, endurance, and loyalty to the state. This rigorous upbringing contributed to their reputation as formidable soldiers, which was evident in their key role during the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War against Athens. Biblical References While the canonical books of the Bible do not mention the Lacedaemonians, they are referenced in the Apocrypha, specifically in the books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees. These texts, while not part of the Protestant canon, are included in the Septuagint and the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. 1. 1 Maccabees 12:2-23: This passage describes a correspondence between the Jewish leader Jonathan and the Lacedaemonians. Jonathan, seeking to establish alliances, sends a letter to the Spartans, reminding them of a previous relationship between the two peoples. The letter claims a shared ancestry, suggesting that both Jews and Spartans are descendants of Abraham. The Spartan response acknowledges this kinship and expresses a desire for mutual friendship and alliance. 2. 2 Maccabees 5:9: This verse briefly mentions the Lacedaemonians in the context of the high priest Jason, who, after being expelled from Jerusalem, flees to the land of the Spartans. This reference highlights the broader connections and interactions between the Jewish people and the Hellenistic world during this period. Cultural and Religious Significance The mention of the Lacedaemonians in the Apocryphal books underscores the complex web of relationships between the Jewish people and their Hellenistic neighbors. The claim of shared ancestry with the Spartans, though historically unlikely, reflects a strategic effort by the Jewish leaders to forge alliances and secure their position in a turbulent geopolitical landscape. From a theological perspective, these interactions illustrate the providential hand of God in guiding and preserving His people amidst diverse cultures and political entities. The Lacedaemonians, with their emphasis on discipline and communal loyalty, serve as a historical backdrop to the unfolding narrative of God's covenant people navigating the challenges of their time. Conclusion The Lacedaemonians, while not directly mentioned in the canonical Scriptures, play a role in the broader historical and cultural context of the biblical world. Their interactions with the Jewish people, as recorded in the Apocrypha, provide insight into the dynamics of ancient alliances and the enduring quest for identity and survival among God's chosen people. Smith's Bible Dictionary Lacedaemoniansin Greece the inhabitants of Sparta or Lacedaemon, with whom the Jews claimed kindred. 1 Macc. 12:2,5,6,20,21; 14:20,23; 15:23; 2 Macc. 5:9. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LACEDAEMONIANSlas-e-de-mo'-ni-anz (Spartidtai; once only Lakedaimonioi, 2 Maccabees 5:9): The inhabitants of Sparta or Lacedaemon with whom the Jews claimed some kinship and formed alliances (1 Maccabees 12:2, 5, 6, 20, 21; 14:20, 23; 15:23; 2 Maccabees 5:9). The alliance mentioned in 1 Maccabees 12:5-23 is based, among other grounds, on that of a common descent of Jews and Lacedaemonians from Abraham, for which the only probable presumption-suggested by Ewald-is the similarity of names, "Pelasgi" and Peleg son of Eber (Genesis 10:25; Genesis 11:16). This has been reasonably objected to, and perhaps the most that can be said on this point is that the belief in some relationship between the Jews and the Lacedaemonians seems to have prevailed when 1 Maccabees was written. The alliance itself is said to have been formed (1 Maccabees 12:20) between Areus, king of the Lacedaemonians and Onias the high priest; but it is not easy to make out a consistent chronology for the transaction. For the renewal of the alliance (circa 144 B.C.) by Jonathan (1 Maccabees 12:5-18) and again by Simon (1 Maccabees 14:16-23), something can be said, as the Greeks had finally been deprived of independence in 146 B.C., and Sparta was only obliged to lend assistance to Rome and may be supposed to have been doing so in helping the Jews against Syria. It is possible, too, that as against Syrian Hellenism the Jews were anxious to show that they had the assistance of distinguished Greeks, though the actual power of Sparta was much reduced from that of former times. The facts, at least of the alliance and the correspondence, seem to be sufficiently attested, though it is not easy to reconcile all the particulars. Josephus (Ant., XII, iv, 10; XIII, v, 8; XIV, xii, 2, 3) gives the correspondence at greater length than the writer of the Maccabees. Library The Conquest of Lydia. The Author and the End of Theology Pleasing Christ Christ is All The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close. A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian The Last Days of the Old Eastern World The Iranian Conquest Morality and Doctrine [Endnotes] Thesaurus Lacedaemonians... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LACEDAEMONIANS. las-e-de-mo'-ni-anz (Spartidtai; once only Lakedaimonioi, 2 Maccabees 5:9): The ... /l/lacedaemonians.htm - 8k Spartans Sparta Jason (5 Occurrences) Laced (3 Occurrences) Pharisees (86 Occurrences) Lachish (22 Occurrences) Maccabaeus Maccabees Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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