Sparta was a city in the ancient Greek state of Lakedaimon, the only state in Greece to have a full-time army. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organised with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. Isocrates compared the Lakedaimonian political community to a military camp and Aristotyle criticised the Lakedaimonian constitution because it was organised entirely to promote military virtue. Nick Sekunda examines this ancient military machine, describing the organisational system of the Spartan army, the battles they fought and the society that produced them.

Author Biography

Nick Sekunda is a well known scholar of this period having studies Ancient History and Archaeology for his degree and PhD. He has written several titles for Osprey including MAA 291 Republican Roman Army 200-104 BC. Richard Hook is one of Osprey's most experienced and popular artists having contributed to over thirty titles in the past twenty-five years. He has produced twelve superb plates, perfectly recreating Sparta's legendary warriors.