Spartans
Ancient Greece
The Greek Village that Boasts the True Descendants of the Spartans
There is a Greek village in Mani, Peloponnese, called Neochori, where its residents boast they are true descendants of ancient Sparta.
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek Shields Struck Fear Into Enemy
As far back as the eighth century BC, the ancient Greeks had invented a large, round shield, or aspis that became an essential part of warfare
Ancient Greece
Did the Spartans Throw Their Babies Off the Cliff?
The Spartans were renowned for being exceptionally fierce warriors (as famously depicted in the film 300). As can be expected, growing up as a Spartan was not always easy. Supposedly, according to some sources, the Spartans were so focused...
Ancient Greece
The Elite Special Forces of Ancient Greece
The special forces of Ancient Greece, from the Band of Thebes to the Hetairoi of the army of Alexander the Great, became legend in history
Ancient Greece
Thespians: The Forgotten Heroes of the Battle of Thermopylae
The Battle of Thermopylae, Greece in 480 BC is one of the most famous last stands in history. In the many centuries since the battle, Leonidas and the 300 Spartans have become a symbol of bravery in the face...
Ancient Greece
The Last Great General of Ancient Greece
Alexander the Great, Philip of Macedon, Themistocles, Leonidas, Lysaner, Pyrrhus of Epirus, and Pericles are all names that stir in the popular imagination when the discussion turns to the greatest military leaders of ancient Greece.
However, one name is missing...
Ancient Greece
The Decline of Sparta as Seen Through Its Food
Athenaeus of Naucratis in his famous work Deipnosophistae stated sarcastically that the fault of the decline of Sparta lay with its cooks, who, because of the influence of the Roman Empire, lost the ability to prepare the traditional recipes...
Ancient Greece
Why Spartan Men Had Long Hair
In ancient Greece, hair was an important indicator of class and place of origin. Notably, Spartan men were known for their long, flowing hair, which became linked to the ancient warriors in antiquity.
While many would not associate long, beautiful...
Ancient Greece
The Ancient Greek Weightlifter and the 316-Pound Rock
Ancient Greek weightlifter Bybon went down in history for the feat of lifting a 316-pound stone. In Ancient Greece, strength was greatly appreciated as a physical attribute.
Weightlifting was common among ancient Greeks, since their culture celebrated strength. Soldiers trained...
Ancient Greece
Children are Curious to Know: Who Were the Spartans?
Curious Kids, a website that posts inquiries made by the most curious of minds—those of children—recently found themselves answering a question posted by a young reader who wanted an expert to answer his question: “Who were the Spartans?”
It is...