Sparta At War: Strategy, Tactics and Campaigns, 550–362 BC

by Scott M. Rusch

The story of this military powerhouse of ancient Greece, and its nearly two centuries of battlefield triumphs.

During the eighth century BC, Sparta became one of the leading cities of ancient Greece, conquering the southern Peloponnese, and from the mid-sixth century BC until the mid-fourth, Sparta became a military power of recognized importance. For almost two centuries the massed Spartan army remained unbeaten in the field. Spartan officers also commanded with great success armies of mercenaries or coalition allies, as well as fleets of war galleys.

Although it is the stand of the Three Hundred at Thermopylae that has earned Sparta undying fame, it was her victories over both Persian invaders and the armies and navies of Greek rivals that upheld her position of leadership in Greece. Even a steady decline in Spartiate numbers, aggravated by a terrible earthquake in 464 BC, failed to end Spartan dominance. Only when the Thebans learned how to defeat the massed Spartan army in pitched battle was Sparta toppled from her position of primacy.

In this volume, Scott Rusch examines what is known of the history of Sparta, from the settlement of the city to her defeat at Theban hands, focusing upon military campaigns and the strategic circumstances that drove them. Rusch offers fresh perspectives on important questions of Spartan history, and illuminates some of antiquity's most notable campaigns.

Genres: History, Ancient History, Military History, Military Fiction, Greece

506 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Myke Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive, linear and well-sourced walkthrough of Sparta’s military history written with a clear-eye and a healthy measure of skepticism. Rusch deftly avoids laconophilia and provides a good reckoning of Sparta’s successes AND failures on the battlefield. The book’s tone is dry and borders on the academic. This isn’t bad, but it does mean that the book is going to be tough going to readers who aren’t already students of Spartan history and ancient warfare in general. Still, a valuable sourcebook that should be in every Laconologist’s collection.

[Rob Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Rusch shows his deep and profound understanding of the primary and secondary sources for Ancient Warfare in this definitive study of the war machine that stunned the Persian Empire and awed the Hellenic world. There is no catering to popular culture, there is instead a careful, solid aggregate of tactics, terminology, terrain and teleology in the text. The book is clearly and concisely written, with a solid narrative that elucidates and does not obscure. This is the text to which to turn to learn more of what made the Spartan insignia dreaded on any battlefield before the late 4th Century B.c.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed every minute of this book- but it is really dense as histories go. Scott M Rusch, a writer on Ancient Military affairs of some note -gives us all of Sparta's fiery era as a Ancient Greek Power up to and into the post-Alexandrian Successor age. Sparta's history is so much more than just the history in the "300" Film series. Sparta arose as the leading power in southern Greece, on the Peloponnesian Peninsular. Theirs was an agrarian militarised society with Spartiates- full citizens- all constantly training as Hoplite heavy infantry- Perioecs, a sort of middle class that were also militarised fighting as Hoplites and Peltast medium infantry- and slave/serf Helots- who might earn their freedom with service rowing triremes or serving as psiloi light infantry. The Spartans did not wall their home cities- relying on their soldiers, alliances, and diplomacy to protect their way of life. The book traces their activity from 550 when they rose to prominence as their stable way of life gave them an advantage in a higher level of training and more tactical skills than other Hoplite Militias. But Sparta becomes the champions of Oligarchic/Authoritarian governments, while Athens became the champion of Democratic rule- and the two would battle each other - with Strong Cities like Thebes and Corinth changing alliances for dominance of Greece, through a series of Peloponnesian wars. Finally in the 4th Century the Thebans would break Sparta's Tactical Spell with their deeper Phalanx and better Cavalry- only to be swept up themselves by Phillip of Macedon, Alexander's Father who came to rule it all. The sweep of history is amazing and intense- and Rusch makes sure to keep up both a historiographic and military analysis the entire time. It can be exhausting- particularly with the Greek Names often so similar looking but it is very rewarding.
The Spartan way of life was basically a form of Fascist Authoritiarian state- with a dual "kingship", chosen by an oligarchy- from a narrow noble/landholder class. They sought to export the narrow rule part to other societies- claiming it brought peace. The Democratic movement in the Greek world sought to give the Landed Gentry and Merchants of the towns and cities a voice in their own government. Between this struggle- and the the many other causes for hostilities in Ancient Greece- Civic predation, resource competition, ethnic hatred, broken promises, piracy, and foreign (Persian, Thracian, Egyptian, Carthaginian, Epirote, and Sicilian Greek- among others(!!!)) intervention- "Peace" seems to have been a rare commodity in Greece's "Gold Age". At any time one's home city could be assaulted or besieged- and if one's side lost- all the inhabitants sold into slavery- or worse. No wonder so many people seemingly happily traded their "freedom" for the "stability" that Oligarchs/Dictators offered. I was just exhausted by the sheer volume of warfare in the period, with some sort of campaign taking place in the greater Greek World/Western Persian Empire every year- with many years with massive open warfare across the Mediterranean and into the Bosporus . If it was exhausting to read about- it must have been awful for a civilian in the period- with death destruction and depredation always a possibility with each day.
This book is filled with adult themes and has some frank casualty description, but should be fine for a Junior reader over about 12 years with an interest in the period. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this is pure gold- as intended. Here is the story of every was Sparta Fought- with an attempt to give you the numbers of Hoplites, Peltasts, Psiloi, and Cavalry of all types on all sides. Then there is a lot of good content in the later period as the Thebans change the Phalanx from a linear to a deep formation - the link to the Macedonian Phalanx and the lengthened sarrisa . Finally a book with enough maps and battle diagrams for most of the important tussles of the era. I think this book will help with Campaign, Scenario and Diorama development- and give you so many options- with a lot of Naval warfare content you might not expect as the Spartans were able to catch up to the Athenian Naval lead and compete. I think this is a great addition to any Ancient warfare Library.

[Robert Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good thorough review of Spartan history

Few ancient cultures have captured the imagination like Sparta, especially with their prominence these past several years in popular culture. This book was an enjoyable and informative read that talked about the important years of Spartan history, from its beginning to decline. The author was thorough regarding the various battles and political conflicts that were involved, and made good use of various ancient resources.

[John Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to follow

There were many portions where new terms, people etc. were
introduced without explanation. This made following the narrative extremely difficult.

[John Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

high 3 starts explains well the battles the spartans undertook kinda of long and drawn out but other wise a good read