Sparta in the Spotlight. Part II

In this episode I look at how the Spartan soldier fared in battle. What advantages had they been given through the agoge and syssitia? What was hoplite battle like and how good were the Spartans? I also look at a couple of Plutarch's sayings about the Spartans in the context of war and weigh up whether they were just a later invention or if there was something more to them. Find me on X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok as ancientblogger (see links below). There's my AncientBlogger YouTube channel and the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Come say hello (you can even go full old school and email me on ancientblogger@hotmail.com ). Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental). Reading list and sources used Bardunias, P. Storm of spears & press of shields Bardunias, P & Eugene Ray Jnr, F. Hoplites at War Cartledge, P. The Spartans Cole, M. The Bronze Lie Echeverrrai, F. Hoplite and Phalanx in archaic and Classical Greece a reassessment Taktike Techne – the neglected element in classical 'hoplite battles' Rusch, SM. Sparta at War Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website ,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Sparta episodes on The Ancients podcast.

You can listen to Sparta in the Spotlight. Part II online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Sparta in the Spotlight. Part II is an episode from Ancient History Hound by Ancient Blogger.

This episode is 30:06 long.

This episode was published on Mar 27, 2026.

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