Sparta was the world’s first democracy infamous for its power over all: skill in warfare. Sparta was a warrior society in Ancient Greece that reached its power after defeating their rival city-state, Athens, during the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC). These fierce warriors of the Spartan culture prized their military strength above all and their loyalty to the military service.

 

 

As a result of Spartan military dominance, they were very strict. Any Spartan baby who was considered weak were left to die. At the age of seven, Spartan males entered a rigorous state-sponsored education and military training. This facility, the Agoge, held these Spartan males from the age of seven to twenty. After this incredibly harsh training program, these soldiers entered the military full-time until they were thirty, however, they remained on active duty until the age of sixty. Because the Spartan culture contained an incredibly stringent regime and career path, Sparta was considered the ‘toughest of its time’.

 

 

The Spartans were considered as the ‘ideal warriors’ as their weaponry greatly contributed to their boundless success on the battlefield. Throughout the Spartan army of over ten thousand, each soldier carried a spear, 6-10 feet in length; a sword, 12-20 inches in length; and a bronze and wooden shield in approximately 3 feet diameter. Spartan soldiers’ military also wore bronze battle armour consisting of a breastplate, greaves (skin guards) and the iconic helmet. This armour was quite heavy, weighing between 14-23 kilograms (30-50 Lbs). The Phalanx – a Spartan invention – consists of a close, deep formation of armed soldiers, working as a unit to assault their enemy. Throughout the Phalanx formation, no single soldier is greater or more powerful than another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the ancient military society of Sparta was incredibly successful, they are most famous for their defeat during the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. By 300 BC, the Spartan culture faced a dramatic population decrease and therefore, they shortly lost their military dominance and their ability to defeat their enemy with ease.