Sparta was one of the most efficient and strongest of the leading Greek city-states of its time. Spartans were highly organised, and their land-based army was almost untouchable, both in its battle skills and mastery of warfare tactics and fighting. Sparta is believed to have begun around the 8th Century BC, growing stronger in status and power till it reached its high point around the 6th-4th Century BC.
It is said that around halfway through the 6th Century BC, Sparta had positioned itself as one of the strongest city-states in Greece. Now holding such a position, the entire league would be obliged to follow Sparta’s lead into a battle if required, and in case of any uprisings or upsets, the fellow city-states would come to Sparta’s aid as they were the main dominant force.
At a young age, soon-to-be, a Spartan warrior would be taken from their home; this was usually around 6 or 7 years old. Young Spartans would then be trained with battle as their primary purpose in life, trained to be ready for any war or fight.
Additionally, it is both alleged that they were taught to read and write, and also conflicting stories say that they weren’t, but regardless, it would have been a tough upbringing, allegedly encouraged to steal but not to be caught, the young Spartans would be provided with basic food and clothing needed to survive but nothing more.
When young Spartans reached twelve, their training would be increased dramatically with more discipline and training introduced. Extra work and tasks were often delegated to young Spartans of this age. Later, when they had matured at age twenty, they were considered by the state to be full warriors and deemed ready to join the Spartan army. Once Spartan warriors joined the army, they would become almost brothers with the group of men who they trained with.
They were recognised as one of the Spartans, called ‘Hoplites’, and now they were forbidden to work in any monetary fashion. When the Spartans reached 30 years old, they were given a plot of land, which was farmed for Spartan warriors by one of the state slaves. The produce grown from the land would allow Spartans to eat and survive for the rest of their lives.
The Spartan army was considered one of the strongest of its time. It was smart, and through natural selection and training, soldiers who emerged from their training were some of the most efficient fighters the world had ever seen. While Sparta was well known for having excellent warriors on land, the Spartan army also branched out and became skilled at fighting on the seas.
At one point, Spartans had their own navy, which was used to attack their enemies and defend their land. Their reign of the sea proved, however, to be short-lived and Spartan ships were viciously defeated in the battle of Cnidus in 394 BC by an aligned Athenian and Persian fleet.
Like many amides, Spartan warriors' equipment has varied and changed throughout their existence. The most well-known of these looks is undoubtedly a Persian war outfit made famous by the graphic novel 300. While Spartans were great fighters, this meant that body armour was not as essential as that of other warriors, but regardless, they did not skimp.
Spartan warriors' armour did change over time, but they usually had a chest plate to protect their torsos from melee attacks, bronze cuirasses, Leg greaves, and helmets, most typically in the Corinthian style.
Weaponry consisted of a very large and rather unwieldy spear known as a Dory; the Spartans, however, were more skilled at using it than their opponents with lesser weapons. Spartan warriors also carried short swords used for stabbing when in close quarters.
For defence, they carried a hoplite shield known as an Aspis; this shield was big enough for them to carry a wounded comrade and required great strength to use effectively in battle. Fortunately, Spartans always possessed this.
Article first publisged by Taylor McMahon.
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