A fresh appreciation of the pivotal role of 
Spartan strategy and tactics in the defeat of the mightiest empire of 
the ancient world More than 2500 years ago a 
confederation of small Greek city-states defeated the invading armies of
 Persia, the most powerful empire in the world. In this meticulously 
researched study, historian Paul Rahe argues that Sparta was responsible
 for the initial establishment of the Hellenic defensive coalition and 
was, in fact, the most essential player in its ultimate victory. 
 Drawing from an impressive range of ancient sources, including 
Herodotus and Plutarch, the author veers from the traditional 
Atheno-centric view of the Greco-Persian Wars to examine from a Spartan 
perspective the grand strategy that halted the Persian juggernaut. Rahe 
provides a fascinating, detailed picture of life in Sparta circa 480 
B.C., revealing how the Spartans' form of government and the regimen to 
which they subjected themselves instilled within them the pride, 
confidence, discipline, and discernment necessary to forge an alliance 
that would stand firm against a great empire, driven by religious 
fervor, that held sway over two-fifths of the human race.

The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta PDF

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