The most distinguished military nation in the world was that of Greek Sparta. Their rigid lifestyle and structured military was one based on honor, pride, perfection and sacrifice. Their extreme training and sense of duty helped the Spartan army become one the most feared and respected forces in all of the Mediterranean and Asia.
Originating in southeastern Peloponnesus, the southern part of Greece, the Spartans were a group of agricultural villages. Since Sparta needed natural resources to flourish, it began to expand. By conquering nearby tribes and cities, Sparta was able to secure the resources it needed while gaining slaves for labor. This expansion began to take place around the year 730 BCE, and continued for hundreds of years. By the sixth century BCE, Sparta had devoted itself to a military nation, taking what they needed to grow and prosper (Spielvogel, Page 44). From there on, every aspect of society was geared towards the goal of making Sparta stronger.
The key to Sparta’s military was it’s perfection. This process started at the birth of every Spartan. Children were examined for obvious physical deformities, and those who were not perfect were left to die. This was done to ensure only the strongest individuals made up Spartan society. From a young age of seven, boys where taken from their homes and sent to strict military camps. Here the values of honor and duty were taught along with obedience and respect. Extensive military training was also required of each boy (Spielvogel, Page 45). This was designed to make the strongest soldiers possible for Sparta. Through tactics unimaginable to modern society, boys were made tough both mentally and physically. Training continued as the boys grew into teens and developed physically. By keeping them separated from the rest of society, the soldiers became detached from daily life and only focused on training. After a certain age, usually twenty, these now men were thrown into military service. Each man served Sparta with complete selflessness and honor. Their training never ceased however because there was always room for improvement.
In Sparta, soldiers had to earn their citizenship. It was a reward, not a right. As the soldiers aged, they earned more respect and rewards. These earned freedoms included the ability to vote, live at home, and even marry. Soldiers always were loyal to the nation of Sparta and did everything for her benefit. Service was required until the age of sixty, producing life long soldiers (Spielvogel, Page 46). These professional soldiers did not have any other jobs but that of serving Sparta. It was a great honor to sacrifice your life in the name of Sparta, so much that it was better to die for Sparta than to live for anyone else. This mindset combined with superior training made Sparta an intimidating and respectable nation. Soldiers would follow leaders without question, and march into battle without fear. This unheard of courage and selflessness was the key to Sparta’s military success.
By the year 500 BCE, Sparta had made a name for itself as the dominant military force in the region. The Spartans, filled with pride, would never back down from a threat or challenge. The most famous example of Sparta’s military might and sacrifice occurred in the year 480 BCE. The Persian army, led by King Xerxes, threatened the mainland of Greece. Xerxes, with his massive army, sought to destroy Athens and seek revenge for previous Persian defeats. He would certainly continue on and destroy every major Greek city if not stopped. The Athenians knew they stood little chance against this huge force, and decided to evacuate their city. To ensure they would have time, the Athenians asked the Spartans for help in delaying the Persians. Without regard for their on lives, the loyal Spartans sent a force of 300 elite soldiers, led by King Leonidas to aide the Athenians (Spielvogel, Page 47). At the battle of Thermopylae every Spartan solider lost their life in holding off the Persian army. The Athenians were able to evacuate their city, and set an ingenious trap and destroy the Persians in a surprise sea battle. Without the sacrifice of the brave Spartans, the Persian army would have devastated all of Greece.
The Spartans viewed themselves higher than everyone else. Even Spartan women were held in higher esteem because they played an intricate role in supporting Spartan soldiers, as well as handling important manners when soldiers were off at war. In an attempt to keep Spartan society pure, outside contact and influence was limited and discouraged. The only thing that was important was service to Sparta and the lessons of military discipline taught to the army. Sparta wasn’t the only powerful Greek city at the time however. As time went on, Athens began to gain power, and soon appointed themselves as the head of Greece. Athenians demand money from all the Greek cities in return for protection. Being as proud as they were, the Spartans refused to be submissive to anyone. Soon there was a struggle to determine the most powerful state in Greece, and the result was a 30 year conflict, named the Peloponnesian War (Spielvogel, Page 49). This devastating war ended in 404 BCE with Sparta’s destruction of Athens. However, this conflict weakened all of Greece and led to the eventual end of Classic Greece and Spartan supremacy.
The Spartan army was the most efficient fighting force due to it’s rigid training, sense of sacrifice, importance of honor, and lifelong commitments. Spartan pride, in combination with superior training and loyalty, made it one of the strongest and most professional military forces in history. No civilization has put such importance on sacrifice and earning respect through service. In the end, Sparta’s pride and confidence led to it’s eventual demise. The legacy of Sparta however lives on forever as the most prolific military state in history.
References:
Spielvogel, J. Jackson. (2005). Sparta. Western Civilization
Spielvogel, J. Jackson. (2005). The Challenge of Persia. Western Civilization
Spielvogel, J. Jackson. (2005). The Great Peloponnesian War and the Decline of the Greek States. Western Civilization
