During the eighth and seventh century B., in ancient Greece, many armies were fighting for control of land and power. Gruesome battles and long lasting wars left cities in bits and pieces. Empires were looking to expand and conqueror new territories. One city and its military emerged as the elite. The Spartan army emerged as a highly disciplined and closely co-coordinated battle army.1 Sparta was by far the most powerful and important state in Greece at the conclusion of the Peloponnesian War and she maintained this position for more than a quarter of a century, until her defeat at the battle of Leuctura in 371.2 Sparta's" armies were fearless and they equipped themselves with the best soldiers. Every healthy male was a full time soldier and each individual was dedicated to serve the city. Sparta emerged as the dominant military force in ancient Greece because of their dedicated training methods, their battlefield techniques, and their intelligent use of weapons. .
Sparta's military can credit much of their success to their society. Their community was based on the military. The whole way of life, the constitution of the State, the system of education of ancient Sparta were calculated to one end-the maintenance of an army of experts who were ready and able at any moment to suppress sedition within the State or repel invasion from without.3 The Spartan was a professional soldier and nothing else, and his education was directed entirely to two ends-physical fitness and obedience to authority.4 .
Sparta's method of training was vital to the success of their army. There method was far more advanced then any other opposing army. At the age of seven or eight males .
1 Michell, H. Sparta (Cambridge: At The University Press, 1944),235.
2 Hamiliton, Charles. Sparta's Bitter Victories (Cornell University Press, 1979), 25.
3 Michell, H. Sparta (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1944), 165.
