Sparta

Their contemporaries were fascinated by the Spartans and we still are. They are portrayed as the stereotypical macho heroes: noble, laconic, totally fearless and impervious to discomfort and pain. What makes the study of Sparta so interesting is that to a large extent the Spartans lived up to this image. Ancient Sparta, however, was a city of contrasts. We might admire their physical toughness and heroism in adversity but Spartans also systematically abused their children. They gave rights to citizen women that were unmatched in Europe until the modern era, meanwhile subjecting their conquered subject peoples to a murderous reign of terror. Though idealized by the Athenian contemporaries of Socrates Sparta was almost devoid of intellectual achievement. Philip Matyszak explores two themes: how Sparta came to be the unique society it was, and the rise of the city from a Peloponnesian village to the military superpower of Greece. But above all, his focus is on the Spartan hoplite, the archetypal Greek warrior who was respected and feared throughout Greece in his own day, and who has since become a legend. The reader is shown the man behind the myth; who he was, who he thought he was, and the environment which produced him.

Their contemporaries were fascinated by the Spartans and we still are. They are portrayed as the stereotypical macho heroes: noble, laconic, totally fearless and impervious to discomfort and pain. What makes the study of Sparta so interesting is that to a large extent the Spartans lived up to this image. Ancient Sparta, however, was a city of contrasts. We might admire their physical toughness and heroism in adversity but Spartans also systematically abused their children. They gave rights to citizen women that were unmatched in Europe until the modern era, meanwhile subjecting their conquered subject peoples to a murderous reign of terror. Though idealized by the Athenian contemporaries of Socrates Sparta was almost devoid of intellectual achievement. Philip Matyszak explores two themes: how Sparta came to be the unique society it was, and the rise of the city from a Peloponnesian village to the military superpower of Greece. But above all, his focus is on the Spartan hoplite, the archetypal Greek warrior who was respected and feared throughout Greece in his own day, and who has since become a legend. The reader is shown the man behind the myth; who he was, who he thought he was, and the environment which produced him.

If you want to discover the captivating history of Sparta, then keep reading... Four captivating manuscripts in one book: Spartans: A Captivating Guide to the Fierce Warriors of Ancient Greece, Including Spartan Military Tactics, the Battle of Thermopylae, How Sparta Was Ruled, and More The Greco-Persian Wars: A Captivating Guide to the Conflicts Between the Achaemenid Empire and the Greek City-States, Including the Battle of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and More The Battle of Thermopylae: A Captivating Guide to One of the Greatest Battles in Ancient History Between the Spartans and Persians The Peloponnesian War: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Greek War Between the Two Leading City-States in Ancient Greece - Athens and Sparta Sparta is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think about the ancient world. And this is for good reason. After its founding sometime in the 10th century BCE, Sparta soon rose to be one of the most powerful city-states in not only the Greek but the entire ancient world. Perhaps the most significant achievement in all of Spartan history, though, was their defeat of the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War. This conflict, which lasted roughly 30 years, put the two greatest Greek city-states of the time, Athens and Sparta, up against one another, and the result, a Spartan victory, helped to reshape the entire ancient world. It ushered in a period of Spartan hegemony which was radically different than when the Athenians sat atop the Greek world. Some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book include: Who Were the Spartans The Growth of Spartan Power: The Messenian Wars A Growing Rivalry with Athens: The Greco-Persian Wars Victory over Athens: The Birth of the Spartan Empire Spartan Hegemony, the Corinthian War, and Sparta's Decline Spartan Government, Military, and Society And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book include: On the Eve of War The Ionian Revolt Darius I Marches on Greece: The Battle of Marathon The Interwar Years: Greece and Persia Prepare to Meet Again The Invasion of Xerxes Part 1: The Battles of Thermopylae and Artemisium The Invasion of Xerxes Part 2: The Battles of Salamis and Plataea The Delian League Wars The Aftermath of the War The Greek Military The Persian Military And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 3 of this book include: Leading up to The Battle of Thermopylae The Main Characters of the Battle of Thermopylae Greece and Persia Prepare for Battle The Battle of Thermopylae: Seven Days to Last the Test of Time Meanwhile, at Artemisium After the Battle of Thermopylae The Greek and Persian Armies And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 4 of this book include: Understanding Peloponnese The Peloponnesian and Delian Leagues Rising Tensions Between Athens and Sparta: The First Peloponnesian War to the Thirty Years' Peace The Archidamian War to the Peace of Nicias The Attack of Syracuse Brings More War The Ionian War and the Fall of Athens Fighting in an Ancient Greek Army The War's Impact on Greek Culture Philosophy During War: Socrates And much, much more So if you want to learn more about the history of Sparta, click the "add to cart" button

If you want to discover the captivating history of Sparta, then keep reading... Four captivating manuscripts in one book: Spartans: A Captivating Guide to the Fierce Warriors of Ancient Greece, Including Spartan Military Tactics, the Battle of Thermopylae, How Sparta Was Ruled, and More The Greco-Persian Wars: A Captivating Guide to the Conflicts Between the Achaemenid Empire and the Greek City-States, Including the Battle of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and More The Battle of Thermopylae: A Captivating Guide to One of the Greatest Battles in Ancient History Between the Spartans and Persians The Peloponnesian War: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Greek War Between the Two Leading City-States in Ancient Greece - Athens and Sparta Sparta is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think about the ancient world. And this is for good reason. After its founding sometime in the 10th century BCE, Sparta soon rose to be one of the most powerful city-states in not only the Greek but the entire ancient world. Perhaps the most significant achievement in all of Spartan history, though, was their defeat of the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War. This conflict, which lasted roughly 30 years, put the two greatest Greek city-states of the time, Athens and Sparta, up against one another, and the result, a Spartan victory, helped to reshape the entire ancient world. It ushered in a period of Spartan hegemony which was radically different than when the Athenians sat atop the Greek world. Some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book include: Who Were the Spartans The Growth of Spartan Power: The Messenian Wars A Growing Rivalry with Athens: The Greco-Persian Wars Victory over Athens: The Birth of the Spartan Empire Spartan Hegemony, the Corinthian War, and Sparta's Decline Spartan Government, Military, and Society And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book include: On the Eve of War The Ionian Revolt Darius I Marches on Greece: The Battle of Marathon The Interwar Years: Greece and Persia Prepare to Meet Again The Invasion of Xerxes Part 1: The Battles of Thermopylae and Artemisium The Invasion of Xerxes Part 2: The Battles of Salamis and Plataea The Delian League Wars The Aftermath of the War The Greek Military The Persian Military And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 3 of this book include: Leading up to The Battle of Thermopylae The Main Characters of the Battle of Thermopylae Greece and Persia Prepare for Battle The Battle of Thermopylae: Seven Days to Last the Test of Time Meanwhile, at Artemisium After the Battle of Thermopylae The Greek and Persian Armies And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part 4 of this book include: Understanding Peloponnese The Peloponnesian and Delian Leagues Rising Tensions Between Athens and Sparta: The First Peloponnesian War to the Thirty Years' Peace The Archidamian War to the Peace of Nicias The Attack of Syracuse Brings More War The Ionian War and the Fall of Athens Fighting in an Ancient Greek Army The War's Impact on Greek Culture Philosophy During War: Socrates And much, much more So if you want to learn more about the history of Sparta, click the "add to cart" button

'Absorbing' The Times 'Gripping' Sam Leith 'There are few bits of history more mythologised, sensitive and political than Sparta, but luckily we have Bayliss' Dan Snow, creator of History Hit Sparta - its legendary warriors and steadfast resilience are famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. The Spartans' reputation as fighters is matched only by their mythic code of honour. Their torch has been carried by footballers and politicians, video games and philosophers alike. But who really were the Spartans? And what was the driving force behind the rise - and dramatic fall - of Sparta? Sparta traces the story of Ancient Greece's most iconic city-state, from its humble beginnings as a hamlet in the Peloponnese to its meteoric rise as the foremost military superpower of the Classical world. Andrew Bayliss uncovers the eclectic quirks that set Sparta above its rivals: its famous double monarchy, the harsh methods for raising children as soldiers and the unique role of women in Spartan life. Sparta was an ancient superpower, and its legacy is still shaping popular culture and politics today. This is the story of its rise and fall.

'Absorbing' The Times 'Gripping' Sam Leith 'There are few bits of history more mythologised, sensitive and political than Sparta, but luckily we have Bayliss' Dan Snow, creator of History Hit Sparta - its legendary warriors and steadfast resilience are famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. The Spartans' reputation as fighters is matched only by their mythic code of honour. Their torch has been carried by footballers and politicians, video games and philosophers alike. But who really were the Spartans? And what was the driving force behind the rise - and dramatic fall - of Sparta? Sparta traces the story of Ancient Greece's most iconic city-state, from its humble beginnings as a hamlet in the Peloponnese to its meteoric rise as the foremost military superpower of the Classical world. Andrew Bayliss uncovers the eclectic quirks that set Sparta above its rivals: its famous double monarchy, the harsh methods for raising children as soldiers and the unique role of women in Spartan life. Sparta was an ancient superpower, and its legacy is still shaping popular culture and politics today. This is the story of its rise and fall.

Oldtidens Sparta var berømt og beundret, berygtet og frygtet for sine modige krigere, sine stærke kvinder og sin brutale disciplin. Spartas berømte elitesoldater blev forsørget af et stort, navnløst flertal, der trællede på spartanernes marker. Selv hævdede spartanerne at kunne føre deres særprægede samfundsform tilbage til den mytiske lovgiver Lykurg, som i en fjern fortid havde forbudt spartanerne at ændre den forfatning, forfædrene havde givet dem én gang for alle. I sin storhedstid i 400-tallet f.Kr. var Sparta den førende græske militærmagt, hvis stramt organiserede uddannelsessystem producerede generation efter generation af toptrænede soldater og skabte myten om spartanerne som uovervindelige superkrigere. På kort sigt vakte myten respekt blandt spartanernes venner og frygt blandt deres fjender, men på længere sigt blokerede den for nødvendige reformer af det spartanske samfund. Ude af stand til at forny sig holdt Sparta stædigt fast ved forfædrenes skikke, mens nabostaterne udviklede sig økonomisk og militært. Til slut bukkede Sparta under for sine rivaler, men myten om det uovervindelige Sparta levede videre – og lever endnu.