Spartan Military Dominance in Ancient Greece

During the 5th century B.C., Sparta became the leading power in ancient Greece thanks to its strong military and dedication to its army. The Spartans' military strength was not accidental, but instead a result of government policies. This enduring dominance demonstrated how a nation with a disciplined army could achieve global success. The government policies of that time were vital in ensuring Sparta's continued excellence in warfare.

Upon their birth, Spartans were immediately assessed as either suitable or unsuitable to live in the city-state of Sparta.

While this may seem harsh and cruel to some, it was the harsh reality of ancient Greek society where only the strongest survived. Despite numerous attempts by other countries and city-states such as the Persians and Athenians, the powerful Spartans remained undefeated for many years. From the moment they were born, both Spartan boys and girls were evaluated by the city-state to determine if they had the strength to become citizens of Sparta, where military life was at the core of every citizen's existence.

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In the Greek world, if infants were too weak or sick, they were often abandoned in the countryside to die, as was common practice in Sparta where it was an official government policy. In Sparta, the primary purpose of a male's life was for military service, with boys being sent away at the age of seven for twenty-seven years of training. During this time, Spartan boys ate, slept, and formed strong bonds with one another, eventually becoming Spartan soldiers by the age of 20.

Upon reaching the age of thirty, they were considered "equals" and allowed to live with their wives and children after completing their training.

Even though they were considered equals, Spartan warriors were still required to fulfill their military duties until the age of sixty. They had to be the most powerful soldiers in order to maintain dominance, conquer neighboring city-states, and most importantly, due to their location on a rocky terrain in the mountain ranges. Sparta, lacking access to water sources or the sea, had to rely on controlling other colonies and using their land for agriculture in order to survive.

Spartan warriors had to train harder and fight stronger in order to dominate Greece. Known for fearlessness, determination, and brutality in battle, Spartans were also recognized for their innovations in land warfare, specifically the Hoplite Phalanx, which revolutionized land battles by replacing one-on-one combat with specially-armed infantry fighting together as a cohesive unit.

They were all equipped with bronze body armor, helmets, shin guards, and shields. Their main weapons included a short sword for close combat and a spear ranging from 8 to 15 feet long. Operating in a Hoplite formation, soldiers would stand side by side, creating a solid shield wall in front. Advancing together, they presented an impenetrable barrier of shields, swords, and spears. This strategy was pivotal in the battle of Thermopylae, where three hundred Spartans successfully held off the Persian forces for three days using the Hoplite Phalanx.

The Spartan military was primarily focused on foot soldier hand-to-hand combat, unlike other armies such as Athens which emphasized naval warfare. Sparta excelled in one on one combat with the Hoplite Phalanx formation, enabling them to effectively battle larger enemy forces. Despite being outnumbered, Sparta's unique strategy and specialization in foot combat often led them to victory. On the other hand, Persia's tactic during the Peloponnesian wars was to try to outnumber their opponent.

Despite their larger army size compared to Athens or Sparta, the diverse composition of troops from different nations, speaking different languages, and having different cultures hindered their success. The soldiers lacked proper training and equipment, and the language barrier between them prevented effective communication on the battlefield. To achieve victory in war, soldiers must be united in fighting for their fellow comrades; without this unity, there will be no determination to win.

The Spartan warriors possess a distinct advantage in combat - an enduring bond with their fellow soldiers that motivates them to strive harder and crave triumph more than their adversaries. Unlike other nations who fight for a leader, the Spartans battle for one another, granting them an unmatched determination to succeed. Renowned for their creative strategies, like incorporating their lower-class citizens called Helots, the Spartans consistently demonstrate innovative thinking.

Despite having conquered the surrounding city-states, the Spartans chose to keep the citizens alive instead of exterminating them, a practice common among other powerful nations. These citizens, known as Helots, were considered to be neither slaves nor free men, as they lived alongside Spartans but were primarily tasked with physical labor like agriculture. This unique use of Helots by Sparta was seen as highly innovative, allowing the soldiers to focus solely on training for battle while the Helots handled tasks around the city.

During this time period in Greece, women were regarded as possessions rather than human beings. In Athens, women were obligated to perform household duties as instructed by their husbands, lacking independence and essentially serving as slaves. In contrast, Sparta treated women nearly equally to men. Similar to boys, girls underwent a physical examination shortly after birth and received education in arts and athletics, granting them an advantage over other Greek women who were not educated.

Spartan women could not use their education to have careers or earn money, with their income likely coming from land holdings acquired through a public land distribution program. Land ownership for women in the Greek world was unheard of. In addition, Spartan women had the unique opportunity to participate in sports and the Olympic Games, running naked in races and competing against men runners while spectators watched.

In ancient Greece, it was unheard of for men and women to be naked in public together except in Sparta. Spartan girls could even exercise outdoors in the nude alongside the men, a practice not allowed in other Greek regions. Greek women were typically confined to domestic duties, like fetching water, and were known for their clever wit and sharp comebacks. If a man attempted to seduce a woman, she would often reject him and even triumph over him, leaving him humiliated.

In city-states such as Athens, a man wanting to sleep with a woman would be expected and she would have to comply. Spartan military excellence in ancient Greece was attributed to various factors including their unique training methods and formations. By raising, training, and molding their warriors from a young age, Spartans were able to produce some of the greatest warriors in history.