A question about general Spartan military

[stevesarak]

Excellent, you covered the basics and to the point. One of the things you’re missing is their commitment to battle. When hoplites battled other Greeks with heavy armor, they won the battle. They felt it was better to die in battle then to withdraw. When you’re fighting someone who will not withdraw even against overwhelming odd, they will stand and fight to the finish, sometimes, that’s what makes the difference. Sometimes it’s the mentality of the warrior that wins battles.

A hoplite only lived for war, whereas the Greeks are remembered for their culture.

I’m sure others can expand on this.