My favorite is a Spartan's reply when he was asked, "Where do your country's borders end?" The Spartan replied by taking out his spear and said, "At the tip of this spear." Epitome of the word Badass
"Not how many, but where" is one of the manliest quotes not included here. Spartans never asked how many were the enemies, only where to find them. Another one I like is the reply given (at least in two occasions) from Spartans to their rivals when they told them "Many Spartans lie dead at the borders of Athens/Argos (these two cities were their main rivals)" . Spartans replied "but none of yours at the borders of Sparta" implying of course that they didnt EVEN DARE to invade Sparta!
During the morning before the battle of Platees the Greek leadership gathered and argued whether they should fight today or wait for the next day. The leaders cast votes. These who wanted to fight would throw a small dark pebble in the middle of the ground, those who wanted to wait a white one. A Spartan officer (not Pausanias the Spartan King) threw a huge dark rock that smashed and scattered the pebbles and said "δια ταύτης ψήφου πολεμάμε" ("with thos vote we fight")
That didn't keep them away. Macedon was a literal super power and Hellenistic kingdom as well. Conquering Sparta was inconsequential. They had no trouble putting them down under Alexander (Philip's son).
@@nyquilnu2221 Sparta was never conquered, only small territories and was defeated in a pitched battle when Sparta got into trouble with a very large greek army and then another came to help the other one out. which made Sparta ramp up it's military because for hundreds of years it had only relied on men but now their enemies had horses and war engines which only men couldn't defeat, maybe in defending a siege but during a pitch battle cavalry would utterly dismantle Sparta's army. But he did send his messengers to Spartans demanding their surrender in no uncertain terms: You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city To which the Spartans proudly replied If. Philip did technically attack spartan territory but only because he had promised to hand over territory to other cities that had land that was conquered by Sparta and wouldn't dare attack them.
These were only from a handful of Spartans or from similar time frames or events. Imagine the wealth of badassery the Spartans said that was not recorded!
I don't think so. Even today we say about somebody quiet that he is a laconic person. Laconic = spartan like. They were quite and extremely conservator persons.
@lightspit That's why I think "If" is the best quote to represent the Spartans... It's badass, clever, dares the recipient to try them, horribly burns the recipient, and is quite possibly the single most minimalistic (as in laconic) message I've ever heard sent from one person to another lol How you could capture all of that in two letters wowed me when I first heard it as a kid, and I'm still impressed today.
I like the one when the Spartan soldier complained to his mother that his sword was too short for battle. She simply replied,”Take two steps forward, and it won’t be”😐
I'm pretty sure that Gorgo's quote was meant as a slight to pretty much everyone not Spartan. It seems to me that she is saying only Spartan women can rule men because only they give birth to Spartans. The only real men as she sees it.
Reverendshot777 THANKYOU!!! to translate properly the theme "ONLY spartan wemen, give birth to REAL MEN!" thus they are allowed to be treated with equality as they are worthy of it.
The Hellenic ancient world that is those who spoken Hellenic (Greek) consisted kingdoms, and democratic city states. Macedon and Sparta were Kingdoms on the other hand Athens was democracy but all of them could participated in Olympic games since 776 BC because they were not Barbarians but Hellenes (Greeks)
If the Spartans had survived to the gunpowder age, I can imagine them taunting a foe by holding their guns (stolen from their enemy) and say "Hah! You want these back? Come and get them!" (Fun fact: The Pipil people who inhabited what is modern day El Salvador actually did stole some Spanish guns during a battle, and later taunted the Spaniards with a similar response.)
thanks for the vids! btw, imho, molon labe is the greatest quote ever! (not just among spartan quotes but EVER, period). that is the true definition of what it is to be laconic (you shuda mentioned this word in the vid btw) =)
Yeah it's not from the movie it was a real quote from one of Leonids' men see what happen was one man said that someone told him that the Persians fight like cowards because they have so many archers that their arrows block the sun then the other man said to him "then we will fight in the shade."
According to Plutarch's accounting, "Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun," Leonidas replies "Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?"
I always thought "If" was easily the best Spartan quote, not only for its context but could anything possibly be more Laconic? lol I suppose "Neither" falls into the same category, but "If" is about as minimalist a message as I think can possibly be sent.
+TopTenz Spartans, an amazing, dry, witty and sarcastic bunch...LOVE! Quote: "Because we also are the only ones who give birth to men." Although the quotes "If," and "Neither" run a very close second to my favorite, your number One would have to be mine as well! Lastly (though this shouldn't be something to necessarily give shout-outs for) thanks for the big props to Women! I think the Queen of Sparta was right about that one. It sounds like Spartan women go just as "hard in the paint" as their male counterparts. Cheers TopTenz, very interesting indeed.
That was it's original context. I have no idea where Sam found info suggesting it was some sort of feminist ideal. Queen Gorgo was a Spartan through and through, and thus only viewed Spartan men as real men and Spartan women as the only ones capable of birthing real men.
I disagree with your point about number one. I believe that she was dissing the other woman by stating that Spartan women give birth to men while others give birth to beings that are less than men.
Whenever I'm feeling down, I like to fantasize about Michael Fassbender, wearing a red cape and tight briefs chasing me around my house with his sword in his hand yelling "This is Sparta!" Cheers me up every time.
"If" "Come and take them/Molon labe" - My favorite Laconic phrases ever. Additional phrases I know: "As far as this can reach." - Spartan king Agesilaus II's response to someone asking him how far Sparta's borders are by thrusting his spear. When Demetrius I of Macedon asked, "have the Lacedemonians sent no more than one ambassador?!" in reaction to the Spartans sending only one envoy, the Spartan envoy replies, "aye, one ambassador to one king."
There is one more that comes to mind- Athenian: "We have many graves of your dead soldiers in our land." Spartan response: "And you have none in ours."
When a young Spartan warrior was asked of his really short sword as it was shorter than normal.. "What can you hit with that? " to this the Spartan replied.. "Your heart. "
You forgot another very cool one. Upon being told that the Persian archers were so numerous that when they shot their volleys, their arrows would blot out the sun. The Spartan Dienekes responded, “So much the better, we'll fight in the shade”.
I disagree with the interpretation of the last quote I think she was saying only spartan women give birth to men as in proper men she was being superior
10:THIS IS SPARTA!!! 9: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 8: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 7: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 6: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 5: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 4: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 3: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 2: THIS IS SPARTA!!! 1: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
Yes. Queen Gorgo's remark was meant as a venomous sneer. I don't know why he is trying to assert it was some sort of feminist remark, as the Spartans only viewed other Spartans as worthy of note. Gorgo's quote, in different translations and retellings, it's always presented, sometimes more bluntly, that it was a quip about only Spartan women can birth real men.
Come on dude, you left out one of the baddest one’s of them all. The Persians arrows will block out the sun. The Spartan replies, “Then we will fight in the shade.”
According to Plutarch's accounting, _"Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun,"_ Leonidas replies _"Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?"_ I C&P'd this from another comment thread on this video talking about the lack of the quote.
They had slaves carrying extra set of weapons when they went to war my friend. If a shield broke , they would just get a new one from the personal slave that held the second one
What do you call a Spartan who, first, you call a coward, second, then tell him you will sleep with his sister, and third, while you are spitting into his face? Answer: You call him, the Guy Who Beat the Living S**t Out Of You.
@1 Can you name those warrior achievements ? Can you compare their achievements to their enemies ? Do you know who they were and can you name them ? and finally who betray the Greeks in the end ? And why I want to somehow justify myself and for what ? Like seriously ?
My favorite is a Spartan's reply when he was asked, "Where do your country's borders end?"
The Spartan replied by taking out his spear and said, "At the tip of this spear."
Epitome of the word Badass
Charles Funk I like saying too
"Not how many, but where" is one of the manliest quotes not included here. Spartans never asked how many were the enemies, only where to find them. Another one I like is the reply given (at least in two occasions) from Spartans to their rivals when they told them "Many Spartans lie dead at the borders of Athens/Argos (these two cities were their main rivals)" . Spartans replied "but none of yours at the borders of Sparta" implying of course that they didnt EVEN DARE to invade Sparta!
Our arrows will blot out the sun.
Then we will fight in the shade!
Dienekes
'IF' so dope
Ya spelled it wrong
During the morning before the battle of Platees the Greek leadership gathered and argued whether they should fight today or wait for the next day. The leaders cast votes. These who wanted to fight would throw a small dark pebble in the middle of the ground, those who wanted to wait a white one. A Spartan officer (not Pausanias the Spartan King) threw a huge dark rock that smashed and scattered the pebbles and said "δια ταύτης ψήφου πολεμάμε" ("with thos vote we fight")
If...
That pretty much says it all!
Mental note: if I ever get the ability to time travel avoid pissing off Spartans due to death by badass quotes alone.
So true.
If...
If
if a single word manages to keep an army back i wouldnt face that kind of men
That didn't keep them away. Macedon was a literal super power and Hellenistic kingdom as well. Conquering Sparta was inconsequential. They had no trouble putting them down under Alexander (Philip's son).
@@nyquilnu2221 Sparta was never conquered, only small territories and was defeated in a pitched battle when Sparta got into trouble with a very large greek army and then another came to help the other one out. which made Sparta ramp up it's military because for hundreds of years it had only relied on men but now their enemies had horses and war engines which only men couldn't defeat, maybe in defending a siege but during a pitch battle cavalry would utterly dismantle Sparta's army.
But he did send his messengers to Spartans demanding their surrender in no uncertain terms:
You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city
To which the Spartans proudly replied
If.
Philip did technically attack spartan territory but only because he had promised to hand over territory to other cities that had land that was conquered by Sparta and wouldn't dare attack them.
These were only from a handful of Spartans or from similar time frames or events. Imagine the wealth of badassery the Spartans said that was not recorded!
I don't think so. Even today we say about somebody quiet that he is a laconic person. Laconic = spartan like.
They were quite and extremely conservator persons.
@lightspit
That's why I think "If" is the best quote to represent the Spartans... It's badass, clever, dares the recipient to try them, horribly burns the recipient, and is quite possibly the single most minimalistic (as in laconic) message I've ever heard sent from one person to another lol
How you could capture all of that in two letters wowed me when I first heard it as a kid, and I'm still impressed today.
Sparta.....where even the women have balls of steel.
ikr
XD
Lorand Deka so true
Rather tits of steel.
Probably ovaries, but your point is understood
Hence why we say laconic for using few words, from Laconia, the area of Greece where Sparta was located.
I like the one when the Spartan soldier complained to his mother that his sword was too short for battle. She simply replied,”Take two steps forward, and it won’t be”😐
Great one! Need more like this, gives me new material for comebacks
Love your work Sam. Thank you for the learning and the entertaining and memorable way of presenting it.
I'm pretty sure that Gorgo's quote was meant as a slight to pretty much everyone not Spartan.
It seems to me that she is saying only Spartan women can rule men because only they give birth to Spartans.
The only real men as she sees it.
Reverendshot777 THANKYOU!!! to translate properly the theme "ONLY spartan wemen, give birth to REAL MEN!" thus they are allowed to be treated with equality as they are worthy of it.
"to translate properly"
"wemen"
good joke m8
All Spartans were prideful, arrogant, and blunt. There is no doubt that it was intended to be an insult against non-Spartan women.
We shall fight in the shade was actually true( I'm Greek i know ;)) Also the name Leonidas is a threat, Leon-Idas can also mean the men who saw a Lion
yupp
That's an interesting fun fact I never knew
The Hellenic ancient world that is those who spoken Hellenic (Greek) consisted kingdoms, and democratic city states. Macedon and Sparta were Kingdoms on the other hand Athens was democracy but all of them could participated in Olympic games since 776 BC because they were not Barbarians but Hellenes (Greeks)
If the Spartans had survived to the gunpowder age, I can imagine them taunting a foe by holding their guns (stolen from their enemy) and say "Hah! You want these back? Come and get them!"
(Fun fact: The Pipil people who inhabited what is modern day El Salvador actually did stole some Spanish guns during a battle, and later taunted the Spaniards with a similar response.)
"Okay, who's next?" Unknown Spartan to the rest of the enemy after killing the first soldier.
Fly Spartan's logic...
*slow clap*
Bravo.
thanks for the vids! btw, imho, molon labe is the greatest quote ever! (not just among spartan quotes but EVER, period).
that is the true definition of what it is to be laconic (you shuda mentioned this word in the vid btw) =)
Exactly what I was looking for
Wonderful videos on both channels. Also love your doppelganger Michael at Vsauce
So we are not going to add the line "then we will fight in the shade"
that is from a movie
Yeah it's not from the movie it was a real quote from one of Leonids' men see what happen was one man said that someone told him that the Persians fight like cowards because they have so many archers that their arrows block the sun then the other man said to him "then we will fight in the shade."
And I think that other man was Leonidas who said the actual quote
According to Plutarch's accounting, "Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun," Leonidas replies "Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?"
Yes, we have to leave it out, because if this video had to include every badass thing the Spartans said, the video would last for weeks.
-- Stranger: Why Spartan women skirts are so short? -- Spartan: So that the young can find a husband, and the old keep the one they have.
I always thought "If" was easily the best Spartan quote, not only for its context but could anything possibly be more Laconic? lol
I suppose "Neither" falls into the same category, but "If" is about as minimalist a message as I think can possibly be sent.
+TopTenz Spartans, an amazing, dry, witty and sarcastic bunch...LOVE! Quote: "Because we also are the only ones who give birth to men." Although the quotes "If," and "Neither" run a very close second to my favorite, your number One would have to be mine as well! Lastly (though this shouldn't be something to necessarily give shout-outs for) thanks for the big props to Women! I think the Queen of Sparta was right about that one. It sounds like Spartan women go just as "hard in the paint" as their male counterparts. Cheers TopTenz, very interesting indeed.
my favorite spartan quote is "Wake me, when you need me"
Apieceofcrap That's the Master Chief, a future Spartan.
And that’s where Halo ended for many.
@@AnarchyThirtySeven Dam I posted this over 3 years ago
it was not because he wanted to sae breath but because of the Lykourgian law that stated that a Spartan must communicate with as few words as possible
Wasn’t there a story of how a messenger pleaded for assistance and the Spartans told him that he could have just said one word?
the birth one can be taken as an insult to the sons of the other groups saying that Spartan women are the only women that give birth to real me.
That was it's original context. I have no idea where Sam found info suggesting it was some sort of feminist ideal.
Queen Gorgo was a Spartan through and through, and thus only viewed Spartan men as real men and Spartan women as the only ones capable of birthing real men.
I disagree with your point about number one. I believe that she was dissing the other woman by stating that Spartan women give birth to men while others give birth to beings that are less than men.
Most people remember Sparta for its military prowess. But in their own time, they were actually known more for their quick wit and comebacks.
I liked all the quotes! And TOPTENZ is the top bad ass RUclips channel
One can imagine the following conversation:
Spartan Boy: How shall I think?
Spartan Father and Mother, together: Focus!
I had to pause the video at the unbirthing part.
Whenever I'm feeling down, I like to fantasize about Michael Fassbender, wearing a red cape and tight briefs chasing me around my house with his sword in his hand yelling "This is Sparta!" Cheers me up every time.
OMG they were HILARIOUS!!!!! "If"..."Neither"...CLASSIC!!!!!!
I'm sad there was no "Then we shall fight in the shade" probably the most badass line ever uttered...
"If" "Come and take them/Molon labe" - My favorite Laconic phrases ever.
Additional phrases I know:
"As far as this can reach." - Spartan king Agesilaus II's response to someone asking him how far Sparta's borders are by thrusting his spear.
When Demetrius I of Macedon asked, "have the Lacedemonians sent no more than one ambassador?!" in reaction to the Spartans sending only one envoy, the Spartan envoy replies, "aye, one ambassador to one king."
"Invading the hell out of Greece" - LOL
I'll have to try these out :D
"if"
There is one more that comes to mind- Athenian: "We have many graves of your dead soldiers in our land." Spartan response: "And you have none in ours."
LACONIA: The area in the Pelopponesus were Sparta was Situated.
Hence the Greek Lambda (/\) on the shields as well as individual designs.
THIS, IS, toptenz??
+TopTenz dig it out for yourselves
+harry tyler If
Wonderful!
Lmao I love their short smartass comebacks though
Yeah. “Simon.” You can’t fool me Jonny Sins
When a young Spartan warrior was asked of his really short sword as it was shorter than normal.. "What can you hit with that? " to this the Spartan replied.. "Your heart. "
Top 10 manliest quote from the spartans
1# “THIS IS SPARTA”
"Give them nothing, but, take from them, eeeverything!"
that was badass
WOW ! TOO BAD WE DON'T HAVE LEADERS WHO SPEAK WITH SUCH AUTHORITY ! Instead of "politically correct" fops !
I totally agree with you on that.
Empty vessels make the louder noise.
You forgot another very cool one. Upon being told that the Persian archers were so numerous that when they shot their volleys, their arrows would blot out the sun. The Spartan Dienekes responded, “So much the better, we'll fight in the shade”.
Hahaha loved that
I disagree with the interpretation of the last quote I think she was saying only spartan women give birth to men as in proper men she was being superior
IKR...
Yeah
SPOCK: Logical, flawlessly logical.
LOREHAMMER LIBRARY I guess you're wrong then huh
You're correct.
If we put the emphasis on the first part of the sentence it turns out like "Only SPARTAN women give birth to REAL men".
You fixed it, good job,
+TopTenz Thanks a lot now I'm confused. 😠
guy6869ify Just don't worry about it
Real warriors 💪💯 words and actions. "Un-birth" though LoL 😂 😂
The Spartans were badass warriors but also with their quips and comebacks
Η τας η επι τας because if you ran from battle the first thing you'd throw away was your shield. Thus better to be carried on it (as on a stretcher).
You missed "Then we shall fight in the shade!"
"Stranger passing by....etc."
Earth and Water, you'll find plenty of both down there.
10:THIS IS SPARTA!!!
9: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
8: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
7: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
6: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
5: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
4: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
3: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
2: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
1: THIS IS SPARTA!!!
Was it a Spartan mother who told her son, who complained that his sword was short, just to take another step closer to the enemy?
MOLAN LABE! Hahahahaha!
How long does Sparta's borders stretch?
As far as a spear can reach.
Goddamn I love the spartans
Anyone else think this dude sounds like a news reporter
Molon Labe!
I actually agree with Number 1 Because Technically She is 100% Correct. However, MOLON LABE Should have been Number 2.
Wow, calm down Vsauce
Doesn't the last quote imply that only Spartans were men because other ones are weak? just like the quote about the wall.
that is how it seems to me
Yes. Queen Gorgo's remark was meant as a venomous sneer.
I don't know why he is trying to assert it was some sort of feminist remark, as the Spartans only viewed other Spartans as worthy of note.
Gorgo's quote, in different translations and retellings, it's always presented, sometimes more bluntly, that it was a quip about only Spartan women can birth real men.
Come on dude, you left out one of the baddest one’s of them all. The Persians arrows will block out the sun. The Spartan replies, “Then we will fight in the shade.”
Spartan Savagery... Haha
my name means shield and so does my Indian name..my whole name means fog shield with a rising sun..
what about : spartans do not ask how many but where they are.
Throw me to the wolves and I'll come back leading the pack
Spartans are badass.
Even the minor Spartans are badasses wow
LEE OH NIGH DUS
NOT LEE ON IH DUS
607SplashCityGaveMeAIDS I was wondering when someone would point that out
The original greek is Leh oh knee thass
Leo-Neye-dus ARG
Hey, thats pretty good!
3:50 wasn't it "with it or upon it"?
"ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς" which is the actual words they used trabslates in English correctly with both ways
Come, Take.
Hundreds of men later....
What about the one : then we fight in the shade?
I'm actually curious if that sentence really has been said. If so, it should be on this list. Does anyone know?
+Martijn Burer Oh, it definitely has been said by a spartan.
According to Plutarch's accounting, _"Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun,"_ Leonidas replies _"Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?"_
I C&P'd this from another comment thread on this video talking about the lack of the quote.
thenecromorpher the quote is accurate but it was said by Dionikis not leonidas
What happens when a Spartan breaks his shield? It can not be recovered and it's not lost.
They had slaves carrying extra set of weapons when they went to war my friend. If a shield broke , they would just get a new one from the personal slave that held the second one
Tam Astro
but in no case is one allowed to return without a shield?
Skeptical Eye Yep , that is correct
I like to think the queen meant that only Spartan woman gave birth to actual men and the rest did not
I need a Spartan man!
What do you call a Spartan who, first, you call a coward, second, then tell him you will sleep with his sister, and third, while you are spitting into his face? Answer: You call him, the Guy Who Beat the Living S**t Out Of You.
this is reupload? im sure it used to be top 10 badass spartan facts right^^
What about the "then we will fight in the shade"
Neither came before if
Funny thing is most ppl know Sparta from hollywood movies. In fact Spartans invented and used propaganda that survives to this day via their quotes.
@1 Can you name those warrior achievements ? Can you compare their achievements to their enemies ? Do you know who they were and can you name them ? and finally who betray the Greeks in the end ?
And why I want to somehow justify myself and for what ? Like seriously ?
Who else knew the " if " from hercules
Bada$$. Spartans were an issue.
hmmmm... daily videos and interaction in the comments... you guys are super busy here at TopTenzNet...
Do it again but with all new qoutes (you mist a few)
MOLON LABE
💥🔫🇺🇸🗽
Women's are equal among Serb's and Nord's as well at that time.
Simon looked bumped up
Um... why the Romanian subtitles in the movie at part 8?
Romanian subtitles in that clip anyone romanian in top tenz ? ^^