Introduction

The Spartans is a three-part historical documentary series presented by Bettany Hughes and first broadcast on UK’s Channel 4 on 17 November 2002.

The series subsequently premiered on ABC in Australia on 1 June 2003 and on PBS in the United States on 6 August 2003.

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Outline

Part 3 introduces Alcibiades, an Athenian statesman who defects to Sparta and becomes an adviser and strategist.

In particular, he suggests that Sparta takes the war to Syracuse, in Sicily, during which Athens suffers a major blow (including the capture of their entire expeditionary force).

The Spartan Lysander, chief of its naval forces, begins to rise in power, and he eventually defeats the Athenian navy (which enables him to blockade Athens) and finally ends the war by successfully invading and subjugating Athens.

Agesilaus, who becomes one of the kings of Sparta, finally sees Sparta become the dominant power in Greece. But decadence and corruption follow, along with a drastic reduction in the number of Spartan citizens.

In time, these events lead to an irreversible decline in Sparta’s fortunes, leading to war with Thebes and, in 371 BC, the end of Spartan pre-eminence after the battle of Leuctra.

The Spartans Series

You can find a full index of The Spartans here.

Production & Filming Details

• Presenter(s): Bettany Hughes.
• Director(s): Tim Kirby and Melanie Archer.
• Producer(s): Tim Kirby.
• Cinematography: Douglas Hartington.
• Production: Lion Television Productions.
• Distributor(s): Channel 4 and PBS.
• Release Date: 17 November 2002.
• Running Time: 175 minutes (total running time).
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.