Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Unique Spartan Sword

By Todd Alan

The one name, Sparta, has begun many discussions on the Greeks and the Spartan sword which was a part of historic times. Athens and Sparta, the two competitors, which battled for supremacy among the ancient city states that consisted of brave soldiers who were trained in classical warfare from as young children.

Having been trained in shock combat, the Spartan sword was the most effective weapon for a soldier in a phalanx. A high degree of discipline and practiced skill was required for the soldiers to maintain their formations in war.

A brief and hurtful battle during the many wars like the Polynesian War, the Greco Persian Wars, the War of the Marathons, eulogized by many a poet and historian, often speak of the Spartan sword and the shield as the best weapons for the battles.

A statue of King Lyonidas I in Sparta is a classical example of a warrior king, something that every Spartan was taught to do since birth, fight for their honor and respect for the state. The state was above everything else and one would either come back a winner from a war or die for ones own state. King Lyonidas Spartan sword held ready for a thrust in combat stands testimony to the Spartans significance on fighting for their rights and their country. The nation was above everything else. Aristotle had spoken of this in most of his writings.

Life has moved on from the fifth century BC. Modern methods of warfare have evolved and people have evolved technologically. At the press of a button man is able to destroy, annihilate a whole nation, without so much as moving an extra muscle. The age of innovation has pushed us on to new frontiers the Greeks would never have imagined. But they were the original creators of democracy, they sowed the seeds of a civilized democratic society, taught the world organized, disciplined methods of warfare. The Spartan sword remains today a symbol of a nation which raises its artistic weapon high over its head, ready for action, ready for anything to die with honor for ones country and ones fellow men.

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