Chapter
Spartan Kryptea and the Absence of Police Forces in Ancient Societies
07:26 - 13:54 (06:27)
Historians have debated whether the Kryptea, an auxiliary military unit of Spartans, functioned as a policing force or as a guerrilla group providing training to new warriors through killings. The absence of police forces in ancient societies was common, as societies lacked an organized, modern police force to enforce rules and maintain order.
Clips
The speaker talks about a dumpster fire situation and compliments the host's camera while making jokes about the illegal artwork in his room and his family life.
07:26 - 08:21 (00:54)
Summary
The speaker talks about a dumpster fire situation and compliments the host's camera while making jokes about the illegal artwork in his room and his family life.
ChapterSpartan Kryptea and the Absence of Police Forces in Ancient Societies
EpisodeSlavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of American Policing
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Many societies throughout history have lacked a police force in the modern sense of the word.
08:21 - 11:30 (03:09)
Summary
Many societies throughout history have lacked a police force in the modern sense of the word. Sparta, for example, established a secret policing force to suppress potential slave rebellions.
ChapterSpartan Kryptea and the Absence of Police Forces in Ancient Societies
EpisodeSlavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of American Policing
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Every year, Spartan leaders would formally declare war on helots, their slaves, to keep them from rebelling.
11:30 - 12:28 (00:58)
Summary
Every year, Spartan leaders would formally declare war on helots, their slaves, to keep them from rebelling. The Krypteia, armed with knives, would be sent out to find the strongest and smartest of the helots and murder them, culling the population of any potential leaders.
ChapterSpartan Kryptea and the Absence of Police Forces in Ancient Societies
EpisodeSlavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of American Policing
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Kryptea is a controversial topic in ancient history, with some arguing they were a guerrilla military unit used to blood new warriors, while others argue they were a secret police meant to suppress dissent among the helots through violence.
12:28 - 13:54 (01:25)
Summary
The Kryptea is a controversial topic in ancient history, with some arguing they were a guerrilla military unit used to blood new warriors, while others argue they were a secret police meant to suppress dissent among the helots through violence. Some scholars agree they were a force to keep the helots in line through regular murder.