Sparta: Role of the Spartan army (1 Viewer)

lexicon45

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hey for all your sparta people

Describe the composition and role of the Spartan Army.

Im having trouble figuring out what to write about?

1.control of helots
2.protection of state

those are the roles i can think of.

other things which may relate to the question is:
1.battle formation, phalanx formation?
2.armour and weapon?
3.the groups and ranks?
4.sysstion?
5.Krypetia?
6.Agoge?

So basically what would you include in your answer?
thanks!!!
 

krnofdrg

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Leading the pelopenessian league and protecting its allies in the region.

Protect itself against enemies such as Argos.
 

ArtemisOrthia

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Composition of the Army:
Could include Spartiates, Perioeci, Hypomeiones (Inferiors), Helots and Sciritai.

The army itself was make from larger aggregations of units (see below), based on information from Thucydides, who outlines the organisation, however, exact number of soldiers was state secret. - Xenophon provides different details.

The ethos was reflected in the very small sizes of units which made up a phalanx. The Spartan army was made of groups as few as 32 men, the enomotai. These small and speedy groups were ideal for travelling through difficult terrain and provided flexibility of strategy. The enomotai probably contained two Syssiteia plus their officers.

The number of soldiers called out to fight depended on the ephors' assessment and how many might be required. It was very rare for every man to be called out at once. Ephors would call out certain age groups, mixing experienced with inexperienced soldiers.

Role of Spartan Army:
- Territorial control and security.

External:
- Assisted in treated with all Peloponnesian states except Argos and Achaea.
- Guraranteed aid to members of the Peloponnesian League.

Internal:
- Helot Revolts (Prevention and Suppression).
 

ArtemisOrthia

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Compostion: leonidas, and 299 other men

Role: killing persians
Made me giggle. haha. n_n

Oh also you could talk about the Hippegretai - 300 elite (special forces) - 'Brigade of Guards". Though Herodotus states it was 100 guards personally selected by the king to be his personal body guard.
 

krnofdrg

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He had an army of 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians (people always forget these poor bastards) at Thermopylae.
1 spartan is equivalent to 100 thespians!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leonida's leadership and tactics is pricelesss!!!!!!

THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!
 

nick nagle

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yeah but the thespians were supposed to protect the secret goat path that lead through the mountain. but didn't and ran away causing the death of the 300 spartans
 

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