The Spartan Army (Elite) [Paperback]

Nicholas Sekunda (Author), Richard Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: November 11, 1998

Although Sparta's early history is not clear, by the end of the 8th century most of the other cities of Lakedaimon had been reduced to subject status. The Lakedaimonians were the only full time army in ancient Greece and were thus truly an elite force. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organised with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. Nick Sekunda examines this unique military machine in this book describing the organisational systems of the Spartan army through the Hellenistic period, how they were trained, the battles they fought, and the society that produced them.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Nicholas Sekunda was born in 1953. After studying Ancient History and Archaeology at Manchester University, he went on to take his Ph.D. in 1981. He has taken part in archaeological excavations in Poland, Iran and Greece, participated in a research project on ancient Persian warfare for the British institute of Persian Studies. He has published numerous books and academic articles, and is currently teaching at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology in Torun, Poland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855326590
• ISBN-13: 978-1855326590
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > History > Military > Life & Institutions

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good informational source, December 13, 2000

By 

B. Eastwood "Teancum74" (Orem, Utah) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Spartan Army (Elite) (Paperback)

On the whole the book was excellent, especially when it comes to photographs of archaeological remains. The only thing I had a problem with, being new to greek warfare, was that to get full use of the book a prior knowledge of Greek basics is needed. This would not be a book I would suggest for the introductory reader. One example of the difficulties is that he speaks of several different groups that make up the "Spartans," but never explains how they relate, who they are, etc. If you are looking for photographs of archaeological remains this is definately a book you can use and if you have a basic background in Greek warfare it will also be helpful in providing good, solid, and authoritative information.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very useful resource, September 1, 2002

By 

D. Roberts "Hadrian12" (Battle Creek, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Spartan Army (Elite) (Paperback)

There's nothing like an illustrated study of an ancient epoch to really thrust you back into the essence of what it was like to live during the period under consideration. Such is the case with this present edition from the Osprey Military ELITE SERIES.

This book is rich in the amount of information that it bestows to the reader on what it must have been like to be a Laconian warrior some 2,500 years ago. The book details a rough historical outline of the Spartans as it concentrates on the rigorous training, tactics, dress, social structure, eating habits, rituals, organization, discipline, attitudes and alliances of the Laconians.

The text is adorned with sundry pictures of artifacts and artwork from ancient Greece that bring help the reader visualize the topics being discussed by the archeologist author, Nick Sekunda. The middle pages offer lush modern illustrations of different Spartans and allies in the way scholars believe they were dressed and armed. One of the paintings depicts the key moment of Amompharetos' insubordination of Pausanias' orders @ the battle of Platea in 479BC.

For those who have the ambition to learn all they possibly can about this majestic race, this text belongs on your bookshelf. For those who have a passing curiousity in the Lacedamons, this edition serves as a superb introduction.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great reference material, November 30, 2005

By 

E. Johnson "supertzar2069" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Spartan Army (Elite) (Paperback)

I use these books when making historically based drawings. As reference material they are generally excellent. The illustrations are by no means top notch but the gritty little details of everyday life make them great for both Artists and Reinactors but the skimpy text makes them too light for historians. The greek hopolite book is the better of the two editions.