Spartans and Special Forces
Spartans and Special Forces; Who’s the toughest?
Origins of Western Culture, HUM 101
The Spartans were the Special Forces (SF) of their time. Now we have Delta Force, Navy SEALS, Green Berets, Marine Force RECON and Army Rangers. All are small elite groups of warriors trained to kill. How many of today’s warriors would equal one Spartan? Given the vast differences in technology and the way that battles are fought, who would come out on top? Spartan warriors are taken from their families at the age of seven to begin the training of a warrior. These boys where placed into groups also referred to as “packs” and sent to Agoge, what we today call boot camp. While in Agoge they became accustomed to hardship and given just minimal amounts of food and clothing to survive. By having just enough to get by they were encouraged to steal. If they where caught stealing they would be punished, not for stealing, but for being caught. The boys where also encouraged to compete in mock fights and games to promote unity. They learned songs of Spartan victories and how to read and write. They didn’t learn how to read and write for cultural purposes, but rather so that they could read maps. When the boys reached the age of 12 they became youths. Much more was demanded of youths than children. They began a more intensified physical training regime, were given extra tasks and discipline became harsher. They were forced to go barefoot and wear only a tunic in both summer and winter. When the boys reached the age of 18 they became young adults. They served as trainers for the youths. Also included in this category where the most promising youths. These elite boys where the ones that stood out among all others and chosen for possible leadership positions. When a Spartan turned 20 years of age he became eligible for service in the military. They joined a “messes” ( a group meal ) consisting of fifteen men of various ages. The ones who where not chosen for the
Origins of Western Culture, HUM 101
The Spartans were the Special Forces (SF) of their time. Now we have Delta Force, Navy SEALS, Green Berets, Marine Force RECON and Army Rangers. All are small elite groups of warriors trained to kill. How many of today’s warriors would equal one Spartan? Given the vast differences in technology and the way that battles are fought, who would come out on top? Spartan warriors are taken from their families at the age of seven to begin the training of a warrior. These boys where placed into groups also referred to as “packs” and sent to Agoge, what we today call boot camp. While in Agoge they became accustomed to hardship and given just minimal amounts of food and clothing to survive. By having just enough to get by they were encouraged to steal. If they where caught stealing they would be punished, not for stealing, but for being caught. The boys where also encouraged to compete in mock fights and games to promote unity. They learned songs of Spartan victories and how to read and write. They didn’t learn how to read and write for cultural purposes, but rather so that they could read maps. When the boys reached the age of 12 they became youths. Much more was demanded of youths than children. They began a more intensified physical training regime, were given extra tasks and discipline became harsher. They were forced to go barefoot and wear only a tunic in both summer and winter. When the boys reached the age of 18 they became young adults. They served as trainers for the youths. Also included in this category where the most promising youths. These elite boys where the ones that stood out among all others and chosen for possible leadership positions. When a Spartan turned 20 years of age he became eligible for service in the military. They joined a “messes” ( a group meal ) consisting of fifteen men of various ages. The ones who where not chosen for the
References: Headquarters, Department of the Army, Field Manual (FM) 3-05, Army Special Operations Forces, September 2006 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Forces_Qualification_Course Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Robin_Sage ABC News, Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/ht_berets06_070530_ssh.jpg Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: November 11, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: November 11, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_Army Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_formation Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hop2.jpg Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved: December 12, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Greek_Phalanx.jpg Military Factory, website about ancient and modern weapons and armor Retrieved: December 13, 2009 from