The Origin of the Laconic Phrase: Episode #002

In the 4th Century B.C.E. Phillip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, began a campaign to invade the Greek city-states of classical fame. Leaving his silver-rich homeland in the Balkan peninsula, Phillip II traveled south, slowly pillorying and sacking these intellectual hubs of combat and credo. Phillips II gained several early wins in the years-long offensive. As he surveyed the map, however, his focus landed on a notable holdout, a place known for martial arts, but what is only slightly less known, was one of wit. The father of Alexander was now at the edge of a city, a place neither he nor his oft heralded son would ever capture or control-Sparta. Phillip II opened his diplomatic address to the Spartan with a simple question, should he come as a friend or a foe? The reply was terse with only one word, “Neither.” Support this podcast