"Sparti" Prefecture of Laconia Favorite Tip by Lilasel

Favorite thing: Sparta was considered the greatest military power of antiquity.

All men of Spartan birth had to serve in the army. Boys of seven were taken from their families to live in army barracks. Their whole lives were dedicated to learning the arts of war.

The soldier trainees were beaten, made to sleep on the ground, fed terrible food, encouraged to speak as little as possible, and engaged in military maneuvres all day long. Their graduation requirements included hunting down and killing a slave without being detected. Their motto was "E tan e epi tas" ("either under it or on it"), meaning that they would return from battle either under their shield (alive) or on it (dead), but never without it (as deserters).

More about Ancient Sparta:
http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/sparta.html