In Sparta (poem)

"In Sparta" is a Greek poem by Constantine P. Cavafy. It was published on 17 April 1928 and can be seen as both a historical and political poem.

Story

This poem follows the story of Cleomenes who was the king of Sparta from 235 BC. He carried out reforms to try to make Sparta a great power in Greece again until his death in 219 BC. But in the process, he had to face the powerful army of Antigonus, King of Macedonia. He was forced to send his mother, Cratesiclea, and his children to Egypt, as hostages, in order to secure the support of Ptolemy III, King of Egypt.
For a long time, Cleomenes was ashamed to tell his mother she would be sent as a hostage; he would always hesitate when he was around her. Cratisiclea suspected her son had something of great importance to say but was too ashamed to tell her. When at last Cleomenes approached her, his mother laughed hysterically at him, thinking he was a coward for hiding it from her for so long. She agreed without a second thought. Throughout the poem Cavafy shows his admiration towards her as well as how influential her role was in this historical period. She plays the role of a strong willed woman who would do anything even give her own life if it led to her nation’s success.