| “ | These are Sparta's walls.
— King Agesilaus, pointing to his army
|
” |
Spartan hoplites are the infantry of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, typically citizens who were trained from an early age in the disciplines of the warrior society that the city-state represented. They are among the most notable in the military of ancient Greece, with warriors raised from childhood as part of a requirement for the male youth of Sparta to train from the age of seven, with weaker children receiving extensive training being supposedly discarded at a young age.
The first reference to the city-state entering war with its soldiers was in Homer's Illiad, and in the early days of Classical Greek culture, utilized an arsenal of bronze weaponry. The typical strategy of early Spartans involved working through the side of an enemy's army before striking at the vulnerable flank. Following this 'golden age' of Sparta and the beginning of the Dorian wars, their military strength was greatly diminished, before experiencing a revival by the king Lycurgus, bringing about the typical Spartan military form and strategy and greatly expanding his territory.
Battle vs. Tlingit Warrior (by Pygmy Hippo 2)[]
Carrizo Plain, California
A Hupa Tribe woman was picking acorns while she waited for her husband to return with the salmon he was hunting for. Unfortunately she heard him yell and saw a man in wooden armor break his spear with a copper shield before stabbing his stomach with a long blade. She screamed in horror and ran from the Tlingit but tripped and barely avoided a copper arrow hitting her leg.
The slave hunter drew his bow back again and firedbut this time he didn't miss, instead his arrow was blocked by a bronze shield. The Hupa woman took the opportunity to run away as the Spartan pulled out his javelin. The Tlingit was furious at his foe for letting his quarry escape but the phalanx soldier didn't care about the woman he saved, all he wanted was to kill this invader on his king's newly conquered lands.
The javelin was hurled with great force but was blocked by the Tináa shield and another arrow was fired but broke on the Aspis shield. Both armored warriors realized long range combat wasn't working and so drew their primary weapons, the Tlingit's double sword/dagger and the Spartan's Dory spear. The two circled each other for a couple seconds before the Greek stabbed forwards but it was blocked by the Tináa.
The Alaskan took advantage and attempted to cut through the spear's wooden shaft but was pushed backwards by the Aspis. The phalanx soldier stabbed at the slave hunter again with his Dory and this time he hit his mark, the iron tip punched through the hide and wood but was barely stopped from hitting skin by a coin. The Tlingit wasted no time in hacking the spear in two with the sword blade before stabbing the Spartan's chest with the dagger blade, it barely made it through the bronze cuirass and only made his foe bleed.
The Greek whacked the Alaskan's head with his Aspis, cracking and denting the wooden helmet, before shoving him back again, this time knocking him over. The phalanx soldier dropped what remained of the Dory and drew his Xiphos short sword as the slave hunter left his weapon and shield on the ground, pulling out his two-handed war club instead. The Alaskan got up and swung at the Greek's Aspis, causing no damage, but left himself open to a Xiphos stab.
This blow managed to get past the coins and cut deep into the Tlingit's innards, however the short sword wasn't easy to pull out and the Spartan had to take a blow in return. The two-handed war club smashed his weapon arm, breaking it, but the phalanx soldier smashed the hard wood blade with his Aspis, breaking it in two. Despite both armored warriors being in immense pain, neither showed any signs of it and just defiantly stared each other down as they walked back their primary weapons.
The Greek swung his Aspis at the Tináa and managed to not only get the Alaskan to drop it, he broke his arm as well. The Tlingit finally grunted in pain but still tried to cut the Spartan's throat but found that his foe was quicker than he was and lost that arm as well. Now defenseless, the slave hunter could only glare at the phalanx soldier as he dropped the Aspis and picked up what was left of his Dory before plunging it into his foe's throat, the wooden collar provided no protection against the iron tip.
As his foe topppled over, the Spartan left his other weapons in the Tlingit's body and held up his Aspis as he yelled in victory. "Sparta!"
Winner:Spartan
Expert's Opinion[]
While both warriors were equally well trained and experience, their armor proved to be the deciding factor. The Tlingit had the advantage at long range but his wooden armor couldn't stop most of his opponent’s weapons. The Spartan's bronze armor however proved to be very effective and more maneuverable along with his better short and mid range weapons giving him a lethal edge. The final nail in the Tlingit's coffin was the legendary Spartan Aspis not only being made of better materials than the Tináa but also being able to be used as a weapon.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Battle vs. Celtic Warrior (by Ffejgao)[]
Several Celts hiked through the land. The rest of their force had perished from disease, battle, or some unknown cause. They needed to find the threat to their land.
Meanwhile a group of Spartans were traveling through the area. They did not find the loot that they were expecting. The two slaves accompanying the hoplites were prodded on, in case they got any ideas of leaving. They walked through the pastures of an old farm. Except this wasn't a lush, productive farm. The grass had been scorched, the house had holes in it, and the feeling was more ominous. The Hellenic forces pressed on. If they were scared, they did not show it. They spotted an equally sized bunch of big buff men in brightly colored clothes. Five Celts eyed the Spartans and glowered.
"Spartan scum!"
"Κέλτες!"(Celts!)
The battle was on!
The Spartans organized themselves into formation best they could with a phalanx(if you could call it that) and the helots as the skirmishers. The Celts organized themselves into a similar formation. Then, both sides advanced! The Celtic archers started pelting arrows at the enemy. Most of them just bounced off harmlessly the Spartan shields and armor. One managed to nail a helot in the chest and he went down saying "Ωχ!"(OUCH!) The other helot got within range to throw his javelin and it went through a Celtic soldier. He writhed in pain as he bled out from the new hole in his stomach. Undeterred, the Celts lurched forward and then clashed. The Spartans had one extra heavy infantryman but this didn't deter the Celts. Both sides pushed and pushed trying to knock the other back. One Celt got nailed in the throat while one Spartan got his arm cut and then impaled through the mouth. The last Celtic spearman got stabbed but thanks to his chainmail, he was fine. He quickly retreated and the archer loosed more arrows to cover his retreat. The last surviving helot was about to retreat and possibly desert but then he got nailed in the back as did a Spartan as soon as the Celtic archer moved to the side and shot him. Unwilling to face it, the last Spartan said "Εντάξει, παραδίνομαι."(OK, I surrender.)
Expert's Opinion[]
The Spartans might've prevailed with a bigger phalanx but their superior discipline and spear to spear specialty didn't carry them through. Meanwhile, the Celts were adequate in duels, squad battles, and large scale army battles, more skilled duelists, had the superior ranged weapon, and they weren't too far behind in training.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.Battles here were deemed to be unfair or otherwise not in accordance with wiki standards, and have been removed from the statuses of the warriors and displayed below.
Battle vs. Genghis Khan (by Jar teh marksman)[]
It starts as the Spartan is walking around in a field. Suddenly, from next to him, he hears a noise. He turns around to see a warrior with a bow aiming straight at him. He quickly lifts up his shield to block it, then charges at Genghis with his Dory. He thrusts, but Genghis sidesteps. The Spartan then pushes Genghis over with his shield. The Spartan tries to stab Genghis whilst he is down, but Genghis rolls out of the way. While the Spartan tries to recover, Genghis hops up, and cross-checks the Spartan in the back with his Jida Lance, knocking the Spartan off balance, however, he quickly regains balance, and goes back into stance. He notices Genghis far away, preparing a bow. The Spartan runs at him, and throws a Javelin. It barely hits Genghis, just cutting Genghis' leg. Genghis thinks *Enough is enough*, and charges at the Spartan with his Sabre. However, the Spartan is prepared, and blocks it with ease. The Spartan tries to slash Genghis with the Xiphos, however the armour holds. Seeing an opprotunity with his shield down, Genghis kicks the Spartan in the stomach, sending him down to the ground, knocking both the Xiphos and his shield out of his hands. With the Spartan down, and with no shield, Genghis cries out, raises his Sabre above his head, and is about to strike down, but not before the Spartan grabs his Dory, turns around, and thrusts it into Genghis' neck. Genghis slumps down to the ground, unconcious, bleeding, and virtually, dead. The Spartan spits on his dead enemy's body, and cries out "SPARTAAA!!!!!!" in victory.
WINNER: SPARTAN
Expert's Opinion[]
The Spartan had that amazing shield, and not much is able to get by that.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Reason[]
The battle has been declared unfair for the Spartan hoplites because of Genghis Khan's superior metallurgy.
Battle vs. Jacobites (by Urbancommando77)[]
In scotlnad, William Wallace and 3 highlanders were wondering through a plain. William spotted Leonidas and 3 Spartans marching twords them. One of the Spartans through a javelin, but missed. He through another javelin at the rebels, killing on of them.
HL: 3
Spartan: 4
William pulled his ball and chain out and threw it at the king. The heavy weapon struck Leonidas' shield, knocking him down. The spartans charged into battle with their spears and shields. William drew his claymore and his men drew Targes and Dirks. One of the spartans stabbed a highlander in the leg with his spear, but the highlander countered with a targe in the chest and a dirk in the neck.
Spartan: 3
William saw another spartan coming at him. He cut the Spartan's head off.
Spartan: 2
The last spartan pulled his Xiphos out and charged at the injured highlander. The injured rebel only retrieved his targe. The spartan stabbed the highlander in the wound. The highlander raised his shield and dodged another blow. The spartan smacked the highlander in the head with his shield and stabbed him in the groin The highlander coughed up blood and squirmed helplessly. The spartan kicked his down the hill until he fell into a pond and drowned.
HL: 2
The other highlander pulled a B&C out and hit the spartan in the head.
Spartan: 1
Leonidas pulled his sword out and his shield out and charged towards the highlander. The highlander drew his claymore out and swung at the king. Leonidas ducked and shoved the shield into the highlanders neck. The highlander fell. Leonidas stabbed him.
HL: 1
Leonudas walked over to William. William pulled his ball and chain out and threw it at Leonidas. the king dodged it with his shield, but it brock. Leonidas pulled a javelin out and threw it at William. The soear stuck in williams stomach. Leonidas walked over to William. The rebel stabbed him with his dirk. Leonidas pulled the dirk out of his leg and stabbed William Wallace in the chest. The rebel coughed up blood and rolled down a hill. Leonidas pulled his spear out and threw it into the rebel's neck.
HL:
Leonidas roared in victory as he raised his Xiphos.
Winner: Spartan
Expert's Opinion[]
To see the orginal battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Reason[]
The battle has been declared unfair for the Spartan hoplites because of the Jacobites' superior metallurgy.
Battle vs. Knight (by Jar teh marksman)[]
No battle was written.
Expert's Opinion[]
The Knight's superior armor, weaponry, and training got him a winning edge over his technologically inferior opponent.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Reason[]
The battle has been declared unfair for the Spartan hoplites because of the knights' superior metallurgy.
Battle vs. Rajput (by Richard Starkey)[]
The Spartan walked through the forest when a chakram clanked of his helmet stunning him. The Spartan recovered and threw his javelin but the rajput blocked with his shield.
The Rajput drew his katar and the spartan his xiphos. The rajput used his katar to disarm the spartan and stabbed but the spartan blocked with his aspis.
The Rajput drew his Aara and slashed the spartan's arm and his aspis slid off. The spartan cringed in pain then he leapt forward and tore rajput's helmet off. The rajput swung his aara knocked the spartan's helmet off.
The spartan fell to his knees and the rajput sheathed his aara and drew his khanda. He swung his khanda but the spartan grabbed his helmet and used it to black the khanda. The rajput dropped it and drew his Aara while the spartan drew his dory.
The Rajput's aara wrapped around the dory attempting to disarm him, but the spartan yanked forward and impaled the rajput on his dory. He tore the dory out of the rajput raised it and shouted "SPARTA"
Winner Spartan
Expert's Opinion[]
TBW
To see the orginal battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Reason[]
The battle has been declared unfair for the Spartan hoplites because of the Rajput's superior metallurgy.
Battle vs. Easterling (by Undead RVD)[]
No battle was written.
Expert Opinion[]
This battle went strait to the Easterlings. While the two were even in Training, Brutality and Fearlessness and the Spartans had the edge in Physicality, the Easterlings were just too much. Their superior Tactics and Metallurgy got them far. They were too versatiley skilled and their steel weapons and armor outmatched the Spartan's bronze armor and iron weapons. At the end, the superior weapons, armor and tactics will lead to the superior victory. To see the orginal battle, weapons, and votes, click here.
Reason[]
The battle has been declared unfair for the Spartan hoplites because of the Easterlings' superior metallurgy.
Battle vs. Grey Wardens (by Greenberet69)[]
The Grey Wardens: 
x5
Spartans: 
x5
In Thermopylae Pass 5 Spartan Warriors are on guard as scouts on the lookout for trouble. The Spartans look at the shoreline and notice a small ship land and out of the ship come 5 Grey Wardens who are in Greece to scout the land for signs of Darkspawn. The Spartans believe the Grey Wardens to be a scouting party for an invasion force and get ready for combat. The Grey Wardens walk up towards the pass and continue forward until the Spartans jump out from hiding and yell at the Grey Wardens in a battle cry. The Grey Wardens seeing the Spartans with their weapons drawn get ready for combat as well. One of the Spartans tosses a Javelin at the Grey Wardens and manages to pierce one of them through the heart. Two of the Grey Wardens take out their crossbows and take aim one of the Wardens fire but the Spartan just blocks the shot with his shield, the other Grey Warden fires and strikes the Spartan in the leg. The other Grey Warden is able to reload and while the Spartan takes out the arrow from his leg the Grey Warden fires and strikes the Spartan with his crossbow . The Spartans charge at the Grey Wardens and the Grey Wardens take out their Longswords and Shields and get ready. One of the Grey Wardens with a crossbow however tries to reload his crossbow but a Spartan with a Dory Spear runs the Grey Warden through. Another Grey Warden charges at the Spartan with his Balanced Greatsword and swings the Greatsword but the Spartan jumps back and tries to pierce the Grey Warden but the Warden dodges the strike and brings his Greatsword down on the Spear and destroys the Spear and then swings it again quickly to decapitate the Spartan . A Grey Warden and a Spartan are locked in a duel with both taking swings at each other but blocking the strike with their shield. However the Grey Warden manages to keep the Spartan at a distance thanks to his longer blade and as the Spartan charges forward to try and kill the Warden the Grey Warden simply stabs the Spartan but the Spartan manages to stay alive long enough to stab the Grey Warden through the head and both warriors fall down dead . A Grey Warden with a Battleaxe charges at a Spartan and manages to knock the Short Sword out of the Spartans hands and tries to kill the Spartan but the Spartan blocks the strike with his shield and the Grey Warden continues to pound on the Spartans shield but with no effect the Spartan then hits the Grey Warden back with his shield and quickly runs over to the Grey Warden and begins to hit him with his Shield. The Grey Warden however goes for his Battleaxe with his left and grabs it and uses his strength to pull the Battleaxe and cut the Spartan head off but dies from his wounds as well . The final Grey Warden and Spartan walk around in a circle and the Spartan makes the first move and throws and Javelin at the Grey Warden who easily dodges the Javelin and then charges at the Grey Warden who prepares his Dory Spear. The Spartan jabs at the Grey Warden with his spear but the Grey Warden dodges the strike and breaks the spear with his longsword and the Spartan quickly jumps back and pulls out his short sword and the two engage in a battle that lasts for 5 minutes. The Grey Warden however manages to duck from a swing with the Spartans short sword and stabs the Spartan through the stomach and hits the Spartan back with his spear . The Grey Warden looks at the dead body of the Spartan, raises his Longsword in the air and yells "FOR THE GREY WARDENS!!!"
Winner: The Grey Wardens
Expert's Opinion[]
While the Grey Wardens had better training and were known as the toughest soldiers in ancient greece. The Grey Wardens had faced more powerful foes then the Spartans had, were more smarter, and had better tactics. They also had the better weapons that dominated the close and mid range categories.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.