was there evidence spartans were related to levites?
letter from Aras king of the Spartans to Onius who was high priest in Judea
In Antiquities of the Jews Book 12, Chapter 5, Section 1 (12.5.1), Josephus does not directly describe a "bath house," but rather focuses on the Hellenization of Jerusalem and the building of a Gymnasium.
This section highlights the following key points:
The Building of a Gymnasium: Under the influence of Jason (the brother of the High Priest Onias), a faction of Jews requested and received permission from King Antiochus Epiphanes to build a gymnasium in Jerusalem to follow the "Grecian way of living".
Abolishing Jewish Customs: By establishing this gymnasium, these Jews abandoned their traditional practices, such as the laws of circumcision, seeking to resemble the Greeks (Hellenists).
Rejection of Ritual Purity: As part of this cultural shift, the supporters of the gymnasium and the new, non-traditional priesthood adopted foreign customs, leading to the decay of traditional Jewish life in Jerusalem.
Note: While a bath house might be implied as part of a Hellenistic gymnasium complex, the specific term used by Josephus in this context is "gymnasium".
Evidence suggesting a relationship between Spartans and Jews (including potential Levite connections) exists in the form of ancient diplomatic letters claiming a shared ancestry from Abraham, rather than definitive historical or genetic proof. These letters, recorded in 1 Maccabees 12:20-21 and by Josephus, suggest Spartans were related to Abraham through other biblical figures.
Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology +1
Evidence and Claims:
The Correspondence: A 3rd-century BC letter from Spartan King Areus I to the Jewish High Priest Onias I claims Spartans and Jews are "brothers" and share a common ancestor in Abraham.
Theological & Historical Interpretations:
Tribe of Dan: Some proponents suggest a link between the seafaring Israelite Tribe of Dan and the Danaoi (Danaans), a seafaring Greek tribe, pointing to potential shared sea-faring characteristics, as suggested on Mi Yodeya.
Tribe of Simeon: Another theory suggests the Spartans descended from the Tribe of Simeon.
Keturah's Descendants: Some theories propose a connection through Abraham's wife Keturah.
Fabrication Theory: Many scholars believe the letters were fabricated, potentially by Jewish leaders like Jonathan the Maccabee, to create a political alliance with Sparta to counteract Roman influence, rather than being an authentic acknowledgement from Sparta.
Genetic Connections: While not linking specifically to Levites, some studies show connections between ancient Cretans (related to Mycenaeans/Spartans) and Ashkenazi Jews, suggesting a broader Mediterranean migration link.
Conclusion: The "evidence" is based on ancient claims of kinship mentioned in religious texts (1 Maccabees) and historical writings (Josephus), which, while culturally significant in antiquity, are viewed by modern scholars as likely diplomatic or cultural fabrications rather than established blood ties.