“The Spartan army’s superiority in battle was a reflection of the values they had learned more than their tactics on the battlefield.”
The Spartan Army was widely considered one of the greatest military states in the whole of Greece. It was one of the leading states in Greece with its Army standing at the centre of the Spartan state, a Spartans purpose in life was to serve the state and fight for the welfare of Spartans. Spartans were subjected to military drills right from birth; this was so the intensity of war was experienced well before they actually took part in combat. When Sparta was at its height in the 6th to 4th centuries BC, it was commonly accepted that "one Spartan was worth several men of any other state." “Son. Either with this or on this.” Spartan mothers would say this to their sons referring to their personal shield; this would be mentioned before departing for war. This meant that a Spartan must win his battles or die trying, he should not retreat and become a deserter as that would be shameful and against the teachings of Spartan society. Spartans were greatly committed to their cause; by being committed this greatened their fighting skills as they had no fear of death and believed that to die a, ‘beautiful death,’ was a death worthy of greatness. Spartans also believed they could conquer all lands, this meant that they felt there were no limits to their boundaries, making mentally superior against their foes, they beloved they could conquer, “as far as this can reach.”