Revision notes 8 - The Spartan Military
Military organisation: The army’s organisation and fighting methods.
Training, appearance and equipment accommodation.
The syssitia, krypteia
The Spartan army in action : An understanding of the basic facts on the heroism of Leonidas and the
300.
Candidates should be aware of the basic details of the account in Herodotus:
Histories, Book VII, Chapters 207 to the end, including the role and influence of Demaratus
The Army
Undefeated for 300 yrs
480s king Demaratus, exiled by his people defected to the Persians, he advised king Xerxes
‘Fighting singly, they are as good as any, but fighting together they are the best soldiers in the world’
Herodotus
The Spartans mastered the Phalanx, a rectangular formation, eight rows deep. Those that fell in the
front row were replaced by those behind them. Each Hoplite held his shield in his left hand
depending on the soldier on his right for protection. It relied on tight discipline & quick reactions to
orders communicated by trumpeters & pipers
Religion was an important part, the king sacrificed setting out from Sparta & when he reached the
border. Before battle he sacrificed to the Muses, reminding his men they would be remembered in
song. If the sacrifice was good the pipers played the song to Castor, one of the twin gods of Sparta &
advanced
Reasons for the Spartans success
Command structure – the army was divided into regiments, each commanded by a regimental
commander, responsible to the king. The commanders had officers to relay communications.
Fear Factor – Spartans would not chase down fleeing armies as it was beneath their dignity,
therefore many chose to flee rather than fight the spartans
Mystique – Lycurgus decreed that they shouldn’t fight the same opponent too often otherwise they
would lose the element of surprise.
Perioeci & Helots
Spartiates were joined by Perioeci on campaign they fought, repaired equipment & weapons.
Helots were used as baggage handlers, slaves & runners
Death
Death was desirable if it served the city. Lycurgus decreed that burials take place in the city , without
treasurers, wrapped in their red cloaks. Those that died in battle or childbirth had their names
engraved on their tombstones. Women showed no emotion at burials only pride
Uniform and weapons
Hoplites wore tunic, a corselet & red cloak. Greaves protected the legs with leather boots. He wore a
plumed helmet. Hair was long to increase stature. They had 3 weapons: round shield hoplon,
inscribed with an L, a spear 3 metres in length 7 a short sword. To Spartans real courage could only
be shown in hand to hand fighting, they criticised the Persians who used archers in battles.
Battle of Thermopylae
100 000+ Persiians led by Xerxes conquered northern Greece & were heading south, through the
narrow pass at Thermopylae. The Greek alliance sent 7000 to defend the pass to allow the rest of
the Greek army to regroup. 300 hand picked Spartans were at the front led by king Leonidas. The
Greeks defended a wall in the middle of the pass. There was initially a stand off for 4 days. Xerxes
spys reported the Spartans combing their hair Demaratus explained they were preparing for death.
The Persians were beaten off for 2 days. The Greeks were betrayed by a local man Ephialtes, he
showd the Persians a mountain pass that went around the wall. When the Greeks realised what was
happening Leonidas dismissed most of the troops leaving just 1500, led by the 300. Herodotus said
when they lost their weapons they used their hands and teeth.
Leonidas
Before the Persians invaded the oracle at Delphi they were told the city would be conquered or they
will ‘mourn the death of a king’. His queen Gorgo asked him for advice as he left he said, ‘ Marry a
good man and bear good children’. The Persians sent a runner offering surrender, ‘ deliver up your
arms’ he replied ‘come & get them’. When he realised they were trapped Leonidas said to his troops
‘Eat a good breakfast, for tonight we dine in the Underworld’. A year after the defeat the Persians
were defeated for good.
Past Questions
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2010 Mark schemes
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2012 Mark scheme