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Ancient Army Lists

Early Spartans - (700 -450 BC)
DBA 24b

By Duncan Sutherland

The Greek city-state of Sparta was known for its military. They fought exceptionally well. The city itself was surrounded by mountains and was near the Eurotas river. Sparta was controlled by two kings, one from the Agiads family, and the other from the Eurypontids. The two kings held seats on a legislative council with 28 other members.

The Spartans conquered neighbouring Messenia during the First Messenian War of 735-715 B.C. The Second Messenian War occurred as an uprising in 669 B.C. Soon, the Spartans, along with other city-states formed the Peloponnesian League, a mutual alliance against Athens and its allies.

The Third Messenian War in 465-460 BC, including a disastrous earthquake in 464 B.C. and the First Peloponnesian War 460-446 B.C., drastically reduced manpower.

At the naval battle of Aigospotamoi during the Persian War, Sparta¹s fleet crushed Athens¹ navy.

The Spartans were full time warriors. When an unhealthy male baby was born, he would be left to die in the mountains. Spartan boys started training at the age of 5. He would live in a barracks with other boys. He would be fed a sparse diet, although he was allowed to supplement this by stealing. The thing Spartans despised most were ³womanish archers.²

Composition

Historical Opponents

The enemies of the Early Spartans include the Early Hoplite Greeks (24a), the Early North Greeks (24c) and the Early Achaemenid Persians (28a).

Tactics

Against the Early Hoplite Greeks, you should try to kill the Cav, Aux, Ps units while protecting your camp from a Cavalry rush.

Against the Early North Greeks, watch your camp! The tactics basically come down to CHARGE! Your main tactical decision is whether to use one rank, and try to flank, or two ranks for strength.

Against the Early Achaemenids, the Persian Cavalry/ Light Horse can make a mess of your plans with a well-timed camp dash. If there is a straight battle line you can make pincushions out of the Cavalry, and flee the light horse. Watch for the bowmen. If they concentrate their fire, your hoplites will not survive long against the girlish Persian archers.

Camps

A Greek temple with pillars or a simple encampment would be best suited to this army.

Painting Tips

The Spartan hoplites usually wore a crimson robe, with bronze greaves, helmets and cuirasses. Their shield was also bronze, with a symbol usually painted on, so that shields could be distinguished from one another.

Other Resources

A basic reference is Nick Sekunda's The Spartan Army, Osprey Military Elite Series (Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1998), with illustrations by Richard Hook.

See also titles concerning the early Hoplite Greeks in the De Bellis Bookstore.

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Last Updated: Oct. 3, 1999

My thanks to Duncan Sutherland for this essay. Questions, comments, suggestions welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley, IamFanaticus@gmail.com.