Spartan State System

Ranks and Command Positions

King Supreme commander of the army. Sparta had two kings, each capable of leading military campaigns.

Polemarch (Full Military Commander) A high-ranking officer responsible for specific military operations or for commanding units of the army.

Lochagos Commander of a lochos, a military unit consisting of several hundred soldiers.

Enomotarch Commander of an enomotia, a smaller sub-unit within a lochos.

Unit Structure

Enomotia The basic tactical unit, composed of approximately 32–64 soldiers.

Pentekostys A formation combining two enomotiai, totaling around 64–128 soldiers.

Lochos Comprised of two pentekostyes, totaling around 256 soldiers.

Mora The largest military unit, made up of four lochoi, totaling around 1024 soldiers.

Types of Troops

Hoplites Heavily armed infantrymen forming the core of the Spartan army. Their equipment included a spear, a short sword, and defensive gear: a round shield, helmet, cuirass, and greaves.

Light Infantry Included archers, slingers, and javelin throwers who provided support to the hoplites.

Cavalry A small contingent of horsemen typically provided by Sparta's allies, as the Spartans themselves did not prioritize cavalry development.

Sciritae A special unit of 600 men who performed reconnaissance and guard duties, often operating ahead of the main force.

Training Camps and Education System

Spartan education was state-controlled and aimed at preparing boys for military service and civic duty. The system, known as the Agoge, began at age seven and continued until twenty. During this time, boys were trained in groups called agelai ("herds"), focusing on discipline, endurance, and martial skills.

PedonAn official responsible for overseeing the training process. This important role was typically assigned to respected Spartan citizens, often veterans.

Within the agelai, the most intelligent and courageous boy was chosen to lead his peers in both training and games.

Trainees of the Agoge were called paides ("boys"). They were subjected to rigorous challenges designed to build resilience and stamina. For example, boys were encouraged to steal food to foster cunning and resourcefulness but punished if caught, to teach stealth and caution.

This system aimed to produce disciplined, combat-ready citizens.

Stages of Spartan Military Upbringing Infancy and Early Childhood (Birth–7 years)

Newborns were examined by elders (Gerontes).If a child was deemed weak or deformed, he was thrown into the chasm of Mount Taygetus (Apothetae, "The Drop").

Until age seven, boys lived with their mothers and received basic upbringing.

Start of the Agoge (7–12 years)

At age seven, boys were taken from their families and placed in state barracks.

They were organized into groups (agelai), led by a 20-year-old youth called an Eiren, who commanded and instructed the younger boys.

Taught:

Absolute obedience to elders

Survival skills and independence

Courage and endurance

Basic military skills

Food was intentionally scarce boys were trained to steal, punished not for the act, but for being caught.

They slept on the ground or on mats made from reeds.

Youth and Harsh Conditioning (12–18 years)

From age twelve, boys were forbidden to wear clothing except for a single cloak (chiton) year-round.

Slept outdoors regardless of season.

Trained in warfare: wrestling, running, spear fighting, and tactical combat.

Supervised by eirenes young Spartans who had completed the Agoge.

Participated in Krypteia secret missions where they were sent to kill helots (serfs/slaves), serving as a rite of passage and a test of stealth and ruthlessness.

Around age 15–16, they underwent an initiation ritual:Given only a dagger, they were sent to survive alone in the wilderness, tasked with hunting, stealing, and hiding from adults.

Becoming a Warrior (18–20 years)

At 18, a boy became a Melleiren ("almost a warrior").

At 19, he could participate in combat operations.

At 20, he became a full hoplite, officially joining the syssitia (warrior messes/brotherhoods).

If a youth failed the final trials, he became a perioikos a free inhabitant but not a full citizen.