Hippeis, not Hippies

[Ghostmojo]

It has just occurred to me that my hypothesis that there were 3 x 100 strong bodyguards units might have another origin other than the obvious three Dorian phyles. Lost in the mists of Spartan myth and Lakedaimonian prehistory was the possibility of another or third king or regal clan. These were the Aigeidai. This group were still respected in Sparta well into classical times. Whether this community was originally a pre-Dorian i.e. Akhaian group; or Kadmeans who arrived with the Lakonian Dorians; or another Dorian invading tribe altogether - who were subsumed by the growing fusion of the two communites who came to be represented by the Agiads and Eurypontids, is a moot point. The mythical origins of the dyarchy were entirely reconstructed by the Spartans at some point to allow for the descendency of the two royal houses. There are references to an Aigeid regency of Theras at the time of Aristodemos. I'm taking Gilbert's view here, that the tradition of a once independent kingdom of the Aigeidai was adopted in the official legend at a time when this independent kingdom no longer existed, in order to give expression to the remembrance of the ancient power and dignity of the clan. That a dynasty of Aigeid (as opposed to Agiad - I know, this gets confusing) kings did once exist in Sparta, is perhaps proved to us by an inscription from Thera from the tomb of a priest of Apollo Karneios, a priest-hood apparently hereditary in the family of the Aigeidai. In that epitaph the dead priest claims to be descended from Spartan kings.

So perhaps the 3 x 100 sub-groups of the 300 collective represent the Agiadai, Eurypontidai and Aigeidai respectively? In that respect each king would indeed have 100 bodyguards - although one group would clearly have other duties during peacetime since their nominal royal no longer existed. However, during wartime the 3 x 100 = 300 x 1 and serves the singular king chosen to command on that particular occasion.

Just a thought...

This is also interesting:

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/caj/docume ... 3_12_e.pdf

Also curious (due to being the first time I have ever read somebody state that the 300 were royal bodyguards as 150 men per king!):

http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Spartan-Army

(about halfway down under Composition)

Oh and BTW James - yes the Wirral is near Liverpool. I live rather nearer to Chester as well (still sporting significant Roman remains).