Predicting Spartan Male Spectator Behavior... (a tough egg to crack?)

Since I received a few questions in SYW about my take on the matter - what better way than a poll? Plus, I'm too foggy from a nasty head cold to write my next scene, so a little Friday night diversion is nice.

I just finished a scene of a fistfight between two young Spartan soldiers - one is the nineteen year-old son of a highly respected Commander of a Division (Lochos), and the other is a twenty year-old soldier with no special bloodlines. Both are well-respected for their abilities and courage.

The fight occurs during the Hyacinthia - a religious festival dedicated to Apollo.

Now for the poll. During the fistfight, how would Spartan men behave who happen by and witness the fight? Granted there will be individuals who may do any of these, but what would be most likely? And if you wouldn't mind posting your reason for your choice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

c.e.

Hi Memnon,

Thanks so much for your input. Here's a little more detail that might clarify things. The fistfight happens on the second day of the festival, when the people are being called to the horse race, so certainly not in the middle of a particular ritual. In addition, that part of the festival is not solemn, like the first day which is dedicated to Apollo's grief for Hyacinthus, but is more of a celebration. If it had happened on the first day, I would 100% agree that elders would stop it immediately and punish the two involved. That first day is particularly solemn with strict rules of appropriate behavior.

Here's a link for whomever might be interested that explains things succinctly:

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Hyacinthia.html

Thirdly, the two involved stop the fight on their own after one blow each, and the way I've written the fight it's not wild or crazy but actually pretty controlled and contained. I'm not heading towards punishing them at this point, but I am definitely reconsidering having the spectators goad, but still, everyone's been doing some merrymaking and they've let their hair down, so to speak. I might change the interruption of the father at the end to be more harshly critical of their behavior. At least that's where I stand now.

c.e. (waffling as well)

You make a good argument, Memnon. That's an interesting perspective - that the truce issue would make any sort of violence, even a short interpersonal bout involving only two men, frowned upon. I can certainly visualize how I would do this scene differently according to what you've said here. And the fight itself wouldn't have to change, since it's brief and not very dramatic. And it gives me an excuse to bring in my favorite character to come down on them. Hmmm...

Thanks again,

c.e.

Good thoughts, brokenfingers. Thanks for that.

I like your analysis, Robeiae. This cracked me up -

You know, there will be some saying "it's about time such-and-such got a good beating."

Click to expand...

And you're right - one of the guys has friends who were walking with him up until the time of the confrontation. That's how I initially wrote the scene - with the goading/cheering. But if this truce issue extends to no violence during the festival, then all of these guys have to know they're out of bounds by participating. My two involved have their own reasons for ignoring any such rule, but the spectators? Good stuff. Thanks!

Hey, IB! How are you? (and how's Will? ) The thing is, as far as I've been able to tell, this particular festival is VERY somber and strict on the first day and most likely the last day. The celebrations in the middle include parades, choruses, dancing and horse races, but no confrontational sorts of competitions like fighting or wrestling. I know these guys need to let their hair down sometime, they can't always be serious, and what better time than when on hiatus from the army? They behaved differently at this festival. Even the Helots were included and allowed to celebrate with them, as were foreigners. But on the other hand, religion was EXTREMELY important in Sparta, as were rules, so I totally see Memnon's point as well. Thanks so much for giving your opinion.

I think in the end I'll probably have a couple of friends watching and cheering/goading, but have elders or the Commander father of the one come in and bring holy hell down on them. As written they already stop the fight themselves, and there is no loser - one blow apiece.

I really appreciate the input from you all - especially the manly men of AW on this particular issue, since I'm lacking in testosterone myself. I also want to thank Phaedo for bringing up this issue in the first place in her very thoughtful crit.

Hey, IB. I'm PMing you.