Sparta's Economic 'Spartanism': Iron Bars, Helots, and Trade Tactics

Legend has it that ancient Sparta had no need for walls because its warriors would repel any enemy. Sparta was a fossilized Apollonian principle, a frozen war camp. Its Doric art epoch, which corresponded to that of other Greek regions, ended with the Messenian Wars, from which Sparta emerged victorious, but which also demanded an immense blood toll. Typical late archaic vase painting and sculpture of this period ends abruptly and merges into a static art epoch. But what about its trade and economy? An insight into some curiosities of Spartan antiquity.

Sparta's economic landscape was far from the vibrant marketplaces of Athens or Corinth. Here, trade wasn't about wealth accumulation or luxury but about survival and strategic military advantage. The Spartans, with their eyes firmly on the prize of military prowess, left commerce to the perioikoi—non-Spartans living in the vicinity who were free but not citizens. These folks were the unsung heroes of Spartan trade, managing the commerce that Sparta couldn't ignore completely.

The Spartans didn't engage in trade like their neighbors; their economy was designed to support their military-centric society. They traded for what they couldn't produce themselves, such as timber or metals like iron and bronze, essential for their weapons. But the Spartans were no fans of coins, opting instead for iron bars as currency (sth. we know from the early Roman Republic) - a choice so counterintuitive it's almost comedic as coinage was well known since its invention by the Lydians (Croisos). Imagine hauling around these bulky bars to buy a loaf of bread or negotiate trade deals. This wasn't just about being different; it was a deliberate strategy to discourage trade, keep wealth from accumulating, and maintain their rigid social structure where equality (or at least the appearance of it) was paramount.

The peculiar use of iron bars as currency wasn't just a quirky footnote; it was a reflection of their cultural values. By using such an unwieldy form of money, Sparta ensured that economic activities were kept to a minimum, focusing instead on martial training and communal living. This system of barter and cumbersome currency made external trade a challenge, leading to a self-sufficient society where the helots, the serfs bound to the land, were the economic backbone. They farmed the land while Spartans trained for war, creating a stark divide between those who fought and those who fed.

Yet, even in this austere world, there were curiosities. The Spartans, despite their isolationist tendencies, were not completely cut off from the rest of Greece. They traded when they had to, often with allies or during times of peace with former enemies. It's intriguing to see how they managed to balance their need for certain goods with their disdain for the commercial world. Their ports, managed by perioikoi, saw ships from various city-states, bringing in what was needed but never too much to disrupt the Spartan way.

This economic system, with its peculiarities, shaped Sparta in profound ways. It wasn't just about trade or money; it was about maintaining a society where every aspect of life was geared towards military readiness and communal living. The iron bars, the helots, the limited trade through perioikoi—all these elements painted a picture of an economy that was as disciplined and austere as the Spartans themselves.

So, here's the take on Sparta's economy: a system less about wealth and more about sustaining a way of life where every Spartan was a soldier, and every economic decision was a strategic one. The next time you think about politicians talking about changing the econony into a 'war economy', remember Sparta, where even trade was a military tactic. Its final chapter was total decay.

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