Spartan Warriors and the Agoge

The Spartan Warrior (c. 9th century BC – 192 BC) The Spartans,

or Lakedaimonians, were famed for their strict military culture. According to Xenophon,

their crimson cloaks and bronze shields were mandated by the lawgiver Lycurgus. Unlike other Greek

states, Sparta maintained the only full-time professional army, with society structured

entirely around producing strong soldiers. Central to this system was the agoge,

a state-run education and military training program for boys. Beginning at age 6 or 7,

boys left their families to live in communal barracks. Early training included the pyrriche,

a war dance that improved agility while carrying weapons, along with music, war songs by Tyrtaios,