Meta Description: Join Dr. Jeff Winkle and Dr. David Noe in Ad Navseam Episode 134 as they explore Spartan education, the Antikythera mechanism, and resources to master the Latin language.
Introduction: November Sunshine and Augustine
Welcome back, classical gourmands, to Episode 134 of the Ad Navseam Podcast! Broadcasting on a sunny, 49-degree November afternoon, your hosts, Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle, return to the microphones.
The episode opens with Dave reflecting on a Robert Frost poem about learning to tolerate the bare, dreary month of November. However, the bright afternoon sunshine leaves Dave feeling far more optimistic than the famous poet. Jeff shares this good mood, noting that his birthday is rapidly approaching. Dave points out the historical significance of his birth month, as Jefef shares a birthday with the influential theologian Augustine of Hippo, and Dave’s brother-in-law and late grandmother. Emphasizing the festive atmosphere, Dave promises Jeff a special birthday present in nine days, refusing to spoil the surprise. The hosts also express their shared preference for recording in the afternoon rather than burning the midnight oil.
Corrigenda: High Castles and Guitar Schools
Before diving into the primary topic, Dave addresses a series of necessary corrigenda. First, he corrects a previous literary mistake, clarifying that Philip K. Dick’s famous alternate-history novel is titled The Man in the High Castle, not The Man in the High Tower. Jeff laments his failure to catch the error, noting his self-proclaimed title of “Johnny Pop” failed him.
Second, Dave corrects a misattributed and misremembered quote by the late American president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Reading the actual text, Dave notes that Eisenhower argued the American form of government makes no sense unless founded on a deeply felt religious faith, specifically citing the Judeo-Christian concept that all men are created equal by their Creator. The hosts briefly ponder the historical context, agreeing that Eisenhower was not known as a loquacious orator. Finally, Dave issues a correction for their generous musical contributor, Scott Van Zen, directing listeners to his actual website: scottvanzenguitarschool.com.
Defining Classical Education and the Roman Empire
The core academic focus of Episode 134 returns to Henri-Irénée Marrou’s 1956 text, A History of Education in Antiquity. Marrou, born in Marseille in 1904, operated as a Christian humanist specializing in late antiquity and educational history.
This prompts an evaluation of the modern “classical education” movement sweeping the country. Dave observes that many contemporary classical schools rely on a specific schema: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. He points out this structure is based on Dorothy Sayers’ essay The Lost Tools of Learning. Dave argues this pedagogical approach, while potentially useful, is late medieval in origin rather than genuinely Greco-Roman, suggesting “neoclassical” might be a more accurate label. Jeff adds that the term “classical” often confuses the public, recalling how people assumed he studied Shakespeare or Dickens rather than ancient Greece and Rome.
The conversation shifts to a contemporary trend: the frequent contemplation of the Roman Empire among modern men. The hosts discuss how this fascination is sometimes tied to military history or the fascist adoptions of Mussolini. Jeff notes that mid-century Hollywood epics frequently used the Roman Empire as a stand-in for 1930s Germany, cementing the empire’s status as an all-purpose cinematic villain.
Speaking of Hollywood, Dave recounts a recent viewing of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny during a flight. He notes the film features the Antikythera mechanism operating as a time travel device, dropping the protagonist into the 3rd century BC Siege of Syracuse. Dave found the musical cues incongruous, pointing out that the triumphant John Williams theme plays while the heroes steal a blue Volkswagen Beetle from an innocent bridal party in North Africa.
The Spartan Mirage and Totalitarian Ideals
Returning to Marrou’s text, the hosts focus on Chapter Two, which details Spartan education. Marrou observes that Sparta remained an archaic, chivalric culture, preserving older Homeric structures while other Greek cities evolved toward democracy. Dave highlights a surprising detail: the Spartans were proud of their semi-illiteracy and maintained a smug anarchy regarding spelling on their public inscriptions. Writing in the shadow of World War II, Marrou explicitly rejects the 19th-century German racial theories of Muller, denying that Sparta’s militarism was the result of a special Dorian genius.
Before transforming into a rigid military state, early Sparta functioned as a major cultural center. During the 7th and 6th centuries BC, Sparta attracted prominent lyrical poets and musicians, hosting festivals featuring solemn processions, chariot parades, and the poetry of Alcman.
However, the Spartan worldview shifted the focus away from individual Homeric glory toward collective devotion to the polis (city-state). Reading from the Spartan poet Tyrtaeus, Dave notes the new standard of arete (virtue): true valor was no longer defined by running fast or possessing the strength of a Cyclops, but by standing firm in the front line of battle and dying for the state. Jeff points out this runs contrary to modern cultural trends, where individuals seek viral, individual fame, and Dave compares the tension between community welfare and hyper-competitiveness to Ron Chernow’s biography Titan, which debates whether Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller was a civic hero or an over-competitive villain.
Athletic Dominance and Embrocation
The Spartan dedication to physical training yielded dominant results. Marrou provides striking statistics: between 720 and 576 BC, Spartans claimed 46 of the 81 known Olympic victories. In the stadium sprint, Spartans won 21 out of 36 recorded championships.
Marrou attributes this athletic supremacy to two primary technical innovations. First, the Spartans competed in complete nudity rather than wearing the tight-fitting Minoan shorts. Second, they utilized “embrocation”. Dave explains this involved rubbing olive oil onto the joints to relieve pain from sprains, comparing it to an ancient homeopathic remedy similar to modern sports creams. Additionally, Sparta encouraged athletic participation for women. Plutarch recorded charming bronze statues showing Spartan girls running in short sports skirts, and Spartan women were widely coveted by Athenians to serve as healthy nurses for their children.
The Great Refusal and Xenelasia
Sparta’s cultural supremacy came to a sudden halt around 550 BC, an event historians term “The Great Refusal”. Facing popular uprisings from the subjugated Messenian helot population, the Spartan aristocracy—led by the ephor Chilon—established a harsh police state.
Sparta voluntarily petrified its culture to maintain control. They instituted a policy of xenelasia, the systematic expulsion of foreigners, ensuring that outside ideas could not contaminate their society. Furthermore, the state renounced the arts and competitive athletics because such pursuits tended to develop strong, independent personalities. As a result, Spartan Olympic champions disappeared from the historical record. The state morphed into an isolated military barracks. Jeff notes this cultural stagnation is reflected in Aristophanes’ comedy Lysistrata, where Athenian playwrights depicted Spartan characters as uneducated country bumpkins.
Sponsors: Fueling the Classical Renaissance
Before delivering the parting shot, the hosts extend their gratitude to the sponsors keeping the podcast operational.
- Ratio Coffee: Dave shares his Saturday morning routine of cleaning his stainless steel and walnut Ratio 8 machine, enjoying a whole pot of coffee enriched with heavy whipping cream. Jeff anticipates the upcoming release of the agile Ratio 4 model. Listeners seeking consistent, heirloom-quality brewing can visit ratiocoffee.com and enter the promo code ANCO4Z for a 15% discount.
- Hackett Publishing: For over 50 years, Hackett has provided affordable texts spanning various disciplines. Dave browses their website, highlighting their diverse catalog: Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy, Stanley Burstein’s Essential Greek Historians, and C.D.C. Reeve’s translation of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Build a library at hackettpublishing.com and use the code AN2023 to receive 20% off and free shipping.
- Latin Per Diem & The Moss Method: For listeners inspired to master the Latin language and ancient Greek, Dave offers tailored educational solutions. Students can visit mossmethod.com to learn Greek syllabification and read accounts of the Greco-Persian wars. Alternatively, explore latinperdiem.com/llpsi to tackle Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata. Dave notes his free video series recently crossed the 2,000-episode milestone.
The Gustatory Parting Shot
To close out Episode 134, Dave delivers a Gustatory Parting Shot courtesy of the famous 20th-century author, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Reading from the classic fantasy novel The Hobbit, Dave recites this highly relatable lament:
“When he heard there was nothing to eat, he sat down and wept. ‘Why did I ever wake up?’ he cried.”
Jeff admits he shares the sentiment, noting he would prefer to go back to sleep if breakfast is not available.A special thanks goes out to Mishka the sound engineer for her rapid turnaround times. Musical gratitude is due Scott Van Zen and Ken Tamplin for providing the bluesy arpeggios, string bending, and bumper music. Check out the “Lurch with Merch” section on the website to purchase a quae nocent docent (what hurts, teaches) t-shirt, beware of stealing cars from bridal parties, and keep taking in the classics. Valete!
