Army Spartan

The armed Spartan had an advantage on all the other armies of Hoplite S of Greece, because the citizens Spartans were professional soldiers entirely turned towards the military drive and activities. The politico-economic situation of Sparte explains this vital importance which soldiering had. The body of the citizens Spartans had to provide for its needs for a population serfs, the Hilote S, potentially hostile and of a community of free peasants, the Perièque S, which did not have any political power, but which was allowed to be useful like hoplites in the army.

The light troops Spartans were in general consisted Hilotes which accompanied their Masters in the battle. These Hilotes also fought making use of the javelin or the sling. On certain occasions the Spartans called upon mercenaries because the Hilotes were of a rather low military value.

Composition

The army of Sparte is described to us in a way detailed enough by two Greek historians who give us unfortunately divergent opinions on his organization.

According to Thucydide

According to Thucydide, which wrote about the fifth century before Jesus Christ, the organization of the army Spartan was based on a file of 8 hommes.
Four files formed a Enomotia or group, ordered by a Enomotarches.
Four enomotai formed a Pentekostys or company under the command of a Pentekoster.
And to finish four Pentekostyes formed a Lochos or battalion with the orders of a Lochagos.
Seven Lochoi made an army.

According to Xénophon

According to Xénophon which, just like Thucydide, was an officer combatant and thus represents an authority quite as valid, there are only two Enomotai for the Pentekostyes, two Pentekostyes forming a Lochos and four Lochos becoming a Mora or regiment ordered by a Polemarchos.
Six Morae formed an army.

Decline

The constant demographic fall undergone by the body of the citizens of Sparte was reflected on the total staff complements of the army, but those of the Mora depended on the age groups mobilized for the service.

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