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Published: 2013-05-07 22:21:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 4437; Favourites: 70; Downloads: 16
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Description
Download for full view!Old Refs
2012 Ref: [link]
2010 Ref: [link]
All of the information in the old refs is still applicable, so feel free to check them out too.
This ref sheet is more for physical attributes than psychological ones. Those can be found on the other refs and are mostly self evident in my comics.
Basic Facts
Name: Sparta (given in Ancient Greek (Doric) both in caps and not)
Personification of the ancient polis of Sparta
Physical Age: Late 20s, early 30s.
Height: 5'9"
Hair: Dark brown. Shoulder length, straight
Eyes: Dark brown
Physical Headcanons
- His build is more obviously defined than most other city-states, this is from a combination of rigorous training and little food. Sparta has some of the most plentiful land in all of Greece, but he tends to eat very little as part of his training. A staple for him is melos zomos or "black broth", pork's blood and vinegar stew.
- As a young child he was a bit scrawnier, but still a lot tougher than most of his neighbours.
- His dark hair and eyes are typical for Greeks, as is his body hair.
- Long hair originally was a symbol of freedom up until the archaic period, but came to be a symbol of the Spartans or people who sympathized with them. Even in Athens, so-called "Laconophiles" would walk the streets unwashed and with long hair. The Spartans believed long hair added beauty to a handsome face and terror to an ugly one. In order to intimidate their enemies, Spartans would oil themselves and comb out their hair before a battle to demonstrate their composure.
- His complexion is a bit tanner than others, due to the southern climate and also his tendency to stay outside for most of the year.
- I originally drew his nose like that for no other reason than because it was squished down by his helmet over the years.
- He is above average height to make him appear more intimidating, but also because he controlled a vast swath of territory in Greece. Since he lived in some of the most fertile land, I thought it would make sense for him to have grown quite tall.
- The worst humiliation for Sparta would be to be treated like a "Trembler", a coward. The punishment was to have half of one's head shaved and to be pelted with insults and stones in the streets.
- The tight braid has a practical use: it protected the skull from blows to the head, like an extra helmet. It could also be grabbed, however, which is a reason many other Greeks dispensed with it.
Clothing
Sparta's helmet is nearly always on. I've shown him without it here for clear expressions.
I won't go too in depth on Greek clothing- it's easy to research and even make yourself- so I've just given the names.
Colours don't really matter, but keep in mind that purple (tyrian purple, specifically) was very expensive for the ancients. Also, red cloaks and clothing were characteristic of the Spartans. Spartan clothing does not have elaborate colours or patterns because vanity was a punishable offense for Spartan citizens. A Spartan had two cloaks a year- a thin one for the summer, and a heavy one for the winter. They were not allowed to be mended.
In the 4th century BCE, the Spartans ditched most of their conventional armour to be lighter and more mobile. They were not as underdressed as the guys in "300", mind you.
Sparta might also wear leather boots in certain situations, such as traveling or hunting. Bare feet were probably more common for him though.
And once again, Sparta would never wear a toga. Togas are national Roman dress and were forbidden to be worn by non-Romans. c:
Thanks for reading! Questions?
I will probably be doing Persia next.
Related content
Comments: 9
piratequeenneverland [2017-07-31 21:22:36 +0000 UTC]
Quick question...Can I marry Sparta? Dude is gorgeous....with long hair.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hapo57 In reply to piratequeenneverland [2017-07-31 22:25:37 +0000 UTC]
I'm sure i've gotten this question before xD he's already married but his definition of marriage is pretty loose, haha.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
piratequeenneverland In reply to Hapo57 [2017-08-01 17:11:56 +0000 UTC]
Then can I have him? For the night?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hapo57 In reply to piratequeenneverland [2017-08-01 19:24:21 +0000 UTC]
Only if he consents xD
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
piratequeenneverland In reply to Hapo57 [2017-08-01 20:34:22 +0000 UTC]
Praying he consents....I am half Greek.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
theubbergeek2 [2015-01-08 21:55:49 +0000 UTC]
That said, the Toga was inspired I believe by the greek Chyton tunic(?), probably to complexify things as adapted and taken first by the Etruscans... it was a bit like the Koreans for Japan, the Han clothes possible inspiration for later kimono...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hapo57 In reply to theubbergeek2 [2015-01-09 01:58:07 +0000 UTC]
True enough, but it doesn't make it the same thing. Socially, it was still unacceptable to Romans for non-Romans to wear.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
theubbergeek2 In reply to Hapo57 [2015-01-09 05:27:12 +0000 UTC]
Probably a sign of full citizenship and freeman status - so along all those precious full citisenship rights that was extended gradually from Latium, to Italy, to the whole of Empire or something... I should check on that later.. but I disgress
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Phantasm1 [2013-05-07 23:19:19 +0000 UTC]
Wow that looks neat. So Sparta wears plain clothes most of the time. I guess that makes sense with the austere life style, obviously. Though his armour can get fancy. Oh Sparta smiling fondly looks strange almost, but he almost looks sweet like that.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0