The Spartan Way

Hoplite Warfare and Sparta

• Sparta had no focus on art, wealth, or intellectual pursuits, but solely on warfare.
• The hoplite revolution in Greece brought about changes in military equipment and tactics, with the hoplite being a heavily armored foot soldier.
• The hoplite's shield was a three-foot diameter wood-and-bronze construct, and they were equipped with a bronze helmet, breastplate, greaves, spear, and sword.
• The hoplite's equipment was expensive and required a significant investment.
• Hoplites formed lines with their shields overlapping, creating a solid wall of metal in combat.
• Multiple rows of hoplites formed a phalanx, which made them nearly invulnerable if there were no gaps.
• Hoplite battles were focused on killing as many enemies as possible, setting the model for "the western way of war."
• Sparta invaded Messenia and reduced its inhabitants to slaves called Helots.
• Helots revolted multiple times, leading to Sparta prioritizing military strength.
• The Spartan social system aimed to produce fanatical, identical, and highly trained hoplites.
• Spartan boys were taken from their mothers at seven and enrolled in communal schools for athletic training, military skills, and competition.
• Spartan men joined clubs called syssitia at twenty and had restricted marriages, spending most of their time at the clubs. Spartan women had more freedom and power compared to women in other Greek states.