Units of History - The Spartan Royal Guard DOCUMENTARY

A history documentary on the Rise of Sparta and its Royal Guard! Check out The Great Courses Plus to learn about the history of the Greeks: ow.ly/WVFY30reUeL
In this history documentary we explore the best of the best that the Spartan Army had to offer, the hippeis or 300 Royal Guard. The video begins with a history of Sparta staring from its slow development during the bronze age and emergence as a regional power in the early archaic. At this points its armies featured bands of elite armored warriors accompanied by their lightly armed retinues. Using these forces, Sparta was able to gain control of the communities to its south in Laconia and to its west in Messenia. These wars made Sparta the largest polis in all of Greece. However such vast territories were difficult to manage and were subject to frequent uprisings. Historians now believe that around the 6th century, Spartan government and society was thus reformed to better deal with its domestic issues. This mean grouping its subjects into the classes of Helots or Perioikoi whilst more strictly controlling what it meant to be Spartan. Through these changes the army was reformed into one of a massed militia whereby the whole army would fight on foot. Thus Sparta's previously mounted forces of the Hippeis dismounted to join their comrades and became the Royal Guard who defended the King of Sparta in battle.
The sparta documentary then covers the equipment of the guard which was typical of most greek army forces. We then discuss how guardsmen were recruited through a selection process each year and what sorts of spartan training and spartan workout activities they took part in. The video then discusses their military tactics and role in hoplite warfare. Finally we then cover the service history of the guard which stretches from the Greco Persian wars to the Peloponnesian war. This includes discussions of the 300 spartans at the battle of Thermopylae, the battle of Mantinea, and the battle of Leuctra against Thebes and the Sacred Band.
Bibliography
T. Figueira, ‘The Spartan hippeis’, in S. Hodkinson and A. Powell (eds.), Sparta & War (2006), 57-84
Credits:
Research: Roel Konijnendijk
Writing: Roel Konijnendijk
Narration: Guy Michaels
Artwork: Penata Limited
Editing: Penta Limited
#History
#Documentary
#Sparta

[@InvictaHistory]

Another critical unit of the Spartan Army were the elite irregular forces of the Skiritai. We cover them here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4TWhoyQd8lnZ5Y

[@judaprinxbeatz.8008]

IT'S HILARIOUS HOW YA'LL LITERALLY MAKE UP A "HISTORY" THAT NEVER EXISTED LMAO

[@Isaac-iv2kl]

@@judaprinxbeatz.8008 it's hilarious how u get no bitches.

[@someotherguy3699]

We need a Units of History, Old Guard

[@adamabiani1134]

@@judaprinxbeatz.8008 it's real lmao.

[@John2r1]

Spartan royal guards where required to have completed the agoge and spent a period of time in the Krypteia before the selection process which would have involved tests of physical ability , mental fortitude and skill level shown. You don't become a royal guard for graduating basic training. You become a royal guard by showing skill both in battle and in assassination because the best counter for an assassin is someone who knows how to assassinate someone. There where two royal guard units one for each king and royal household. These royal guard where always reformed after a unit was destroyed. However this doesn't mean that the royal guard got deployed to the front lines after that battle you mentioned at the end of your video. They where treated as royal guards not regular foot soldiers. So each king has his own unit of royal guards and there where always two kings of Sparta. One would go into the field with the army. The other would stay in Sparta to ensure the defense of the city and surrounding territory as well as keep the Helots in line. Neither king had any more power than the other. Unlike most other city states of Greece which either was ruled by a king or was previously ruled by a king. The two kings concept was something exclusive to the Spartans as far as we know.

[@vinnregi4882]

"So, now that we've driven the invaders away... What do we do?" "Idk. Kill each other?" "Okay. Cool. Cool cool cool" - Greek history basically

[@mrkanenas]

So true

[@pelopidasalexis6943]

As a Greek, i confirm it's true..

[@dt4886]

I mean yeah.

[@Thatguy-yi1rx]

As a Greek this is true 🤣

[@temosofthecommunistrepubli2637]

True

[@reheyesd8666]

So you are telling me the Spartans weren't these half-naked 6 pack with a Scottish accent warriors?

[@alf.2929]

With a sprinkle of the Queens English as well.

[@anaussie213]

They would have had six packs, don't worry about that. A natural bodybuilder strives for the Grecian ideal. No way the stunt men in 300 had superior physiques to Spartan elite.

[@dlee645]

This is Sparta!

[@aedankennedy8263]

@@anaussie213 it’s true but I’m sure that they would have tried to pack on a little more Weight so they may not have looked as chiseled

[@miguelmontenegro3520]

Don't greeks speak english? Now i'm surprised

[@kimon60]

“The Spartans do not ask how many enemy there are, but where they are.”

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

Yeah, never learned basic scouting or tactics. A failed culture from the beginning.

[@owo5869]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 Well yeah but no

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@owo5869 Well yeah, but still kinda yeah.

[@frater7576]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 To determine the location of the enemy, scouting must applied. Once their presence and location is known, then their numbers will also be known. There is a hidden meaning behind the abovementioned quote, and that is that the spartans were ready to meet the foe, no matter the size of its contingents. They were ready to die.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@frater7576 That is very useful that they and their enemies have the same goal. 😀

[@HRTWARRIOR]

"The Best of the Best... were no more" Step 1: Tries not to Cry Step 2: Cries alot

[@pepebeezon772]

Never were the best of the best, got their ass kicked by pretty much everyone in Greece and then Rome

[@weakestlink41]

@@pepebeezon772 they were absolutely elite. But not invincible or undefeated. It would actually be an anomaly if you started intensively drilling your soldiers as children and they DIDN’T turn out to be elite. Especially relative to neighbors who didn’t train as such.

[@Kantbei]

@@weakestlink41 The Spartan Agoge wasn't for military training however. It was for the creation of "good citizens" (obedient to the state). Military training began much, much later, and we've no indication Spartans trained more often than other Greek contemporaries.

[@nvmtt1403]

i see no one got the dovahatty reference

[@weakestlink41]

@@Kantbei Interesting for sure. Hope you don't consider this a fight/argument but the research I'm doing seems to emphasize the military aspect of it. "“They learned reading and writing for basic needs, but all the rest of their education was to make them well-disciplined and steadfast in hardship and victorious in battle. For this reason, as boys grew older, the Spartans intensified their training" -Plutarch. They did wrestling, boxing, pankration, hunting/outdoor survival physical endurance and hardship (physical beating include), and all sorts of things that sharpened leadership, endurance, and toughness. I have other sources I can link you if you'd like! Maybe you're correct about the "good citizen" aspect of it, but it seems like the spartan idea of an ideal citizen seems to be a warrior loyal to Sparta. Thanks for making me brush up o my research though my friend. I'll keep researching in case I'm mistaken.

[@rotciv1492]

The biggest problem of Sparta is that, even during its prime, it was a rather small to middle-sized city with a mere 20.000 citizens living inside. And it dwindled in comparison with her direct rivals (Argos, Corinth, Athens, Thebes...).

[@frater7576]

The brave will always be few. ;)

[@thomeq]

@Based EyeCel The Spartans were defeated at Thermopylae. They just held the Persians up for a few days.

[@mondaysinsanity8193]

@@frater7576 Spartans were not the best warriors in greece contemporary sources give argos that title. They were the best propagandists and did have good warriors. So they could keep their slaves that made up 90% of their population and they hunted for sport

[@rotciv1492]

@Stxr KillerX Yes but not so much. The proportion of civils/hoplites the spartans could put onto the field was much, much bigger than any other city-state (1/3 or more of their total population). So even with the reduced size of their city, the numbers were usually paired. And if they needed more, they always had the periokoi from the other cities of Lacedemon. The true problem is that, when those other bigger city-states were much more resilient against disasters like militar defeats, rebellions or plagues; Sparta could not stand such setbacks. Any event that affected their manpower meant: -A serious reduction of the size of their army that could not be replaced. -A direct punch to their reputation, on which the spartans depended a lot. -A direct reduction of their power over Lacedemon and/or their dominions at Mesenia. -Contested hegemony over the Peloponesian League. -Direct enemies getting cocky. The main reason they kept their power for so long(2-3 centuries) is that the wars between city-states were more like strength contests than actual wars. Most of the battles ended when an enemy got routed or broke their formation and the casualties were usually very low. So it trully was a context where your discipline and reputation was much more useful to keep you alive than your actual martial might.

[@insaneweasel1]

@@mondaysinsanity8193 which sources? Not herotodus for one.

[@georgezachos7322]

As a Greek, whenever i hear the phrase 'the Dory spear', I hear the phrase 'the spear spear'. Anyway, excellent production. Well done.

[@bartomiejzakrzewski7220]

hehhe m2 but I am from winged horses country

[@danieltukua4527]

@@bartomiejzakrzewski7220 You mean Poland? I'm assuming "winged horses" you mean "winged hussars"

[@bartomiejzakrzewski7220]

@@danieltukua4527 I mean the best cav in history of man kind :)

[@danieltukua4527]

@@bartomiejzakrzewski7220 so you are talking of the Winged Hussars

[@andrewditton7226]

@@bartomiejzakrzewski7220 so you mean modern tanks?

[@MrAwsomenoob]

kinda sad to think about how such a renowned warrior culture just ceased to exist. Sparta was eventually defeated in the Laconian war and it's last king was overthrown and murdered leaving Sparta broken as a major power and was forced to join the Achaean League but played no part in the following Achaean war. Afterwards Rome annexed Greece and Sparta was made a self governing free city in the roman empire and would spend the remainder of the empire as a tourist attraction for the Roman elite who came to observe exotic Spartan customs. eventually after falling into further decline as a local power Sparta was eventually sacked by the Visigoths in 396AD In fact modern Sparta was only repopulated in 1834 by the decree of King Otto.

[@anaussie213]

They were outdated by the time of Alexander. The combined arms Macedonian forces were too much for the hoplite dominated Greeks.

[@F22onblockland]

Not changing with the time can do that to you.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

People continuously long for such warrior cultures and try to revive them. Just one lifetime ago, the nazis attempted it and undoubtedly someone else will try again.

[@GothPaoki]

They weren't outdated. Their warrior system produced less and less warriors. Their power had vanished after the Peloponnesian war despite technically winning it. Nothing to do with the hoplite system. Alexander used it to great results against the Persians. His father's Macedonian phalanx is a variation of that system after all.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@GothPaoki Using it against another outdated system doesnt prove it wasnt outdated. Also Alexander didnt win because of the phalanx, he held the line with phalanx and attacked with cavalry. A system 1000 years ahead of its time.

[@aaronjohn6586]

Just a massive thank you for this incredible, inspiring and insightful history lesson.

[@kingofnuclearfallout39]

Yeah

[@nelsonmongare9515]

Inspiring ?

[@its_ski_wizz4532]

Ma'lakas

[@FSVR54]

You're an idiot. Kings and Generals is as good as it gets, and focuses on accuracy.

[@FSVR54]

@raspoutin not familiar with that language compadre

[@InvictaHistory]

Sorry for the late upload but this one was a real monster to produce as its our longest Units of History episode yet. Super happy with the outcome! What units do we do next?

[@baggelis_aikaterinis]

Ah , ATHANATOI maybe ? Thank u for the entertainment all these yrs !

[@brendonovervold9546]

Sorry if this isn’t specific enough, but maybe something about the ibutho, gauls, xiquipilli, or berserkers? I learn a lot from your content, keep it up!

[@pain5253]

(Thessalians Or Argyraspides of Alexander the Great’s) thanks for the entertainment

[@senatuspopulusqueromanus3011]

How about Alexander’s Companion Cavalry? Also, we already have a video on the Pretorians of the Eternal City, but are there perhaps any other elite units in Roman history that a video could be made on?

[@alexsalentine739]

How about Cretan Archers, they are a dope unit!!!

[@marchemarche8314]

“Stand warrior stand - feet firmly planted, even in sand. Our spirits soar on high, for a Spartan never truly dies.”

[@jacobxiongnu2931]

AC Odyssey

[@mrwhat5094]

Imagine using a fantasy video game quote to try represent a real culture.

[@zutrue]

Nah... many Spartans died. And far too often for reasons they didn't control or even understand. Yet much respect for the iron will and courage inspite of whatever stood in front of them!

[@vanivanov9571]

Would love to see a video on Cleomenes III's attempted reform of Sparta.

[@dontbetrippin4575]

Same

[@vanivanov9571]

@@dontbetrippin4575 He fought with Macedon, and I think he was close to winning. History would've been very different in Greece if he did.

[@dontbetrippin4575]

@@vanivanov9571 it was when sparta adopted the Macedonian phalanx right?

[@vanivanov9571]

@@dontbetrippin4575 Yes, that was one of the reforms. It's a pretty interesting period of history, so I'm disappointed no one has covered it.

[@dontbetrippin4575]

@@vanivanov9571 most interesting periods of time or events are rarely discussed, only the popular ones are for views.

[@tombombadilofficial]

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[@procrastinator99]

How's Goldberry doing?

[@krismi1755]

procrastinator99 ?(al

[@goldenshark7546]

The real hero

[@solonsolon9496]

Just get SponsorBlock.

[@BlandMarkComedy]

Bright blue your jacket is, and your boots are yellow.

[@six2make4]

Modern talk about Spartans: Greatest warriors that ever lived! Ancient Greek talk about Spartans: Them got some fine women and wine!

[@trla6505]

Good instructors tbh.

[@helios4753]

And real bad soup!

[@mrwhat5094]

@@helios4753 if you've a weak belly.

[@maltehoffmann2914]

Modern talking about spartiats: best warriors that ever existed. ancient greeks meeting spartans: bulk up guys, its the maniacs again

[@grahmthrush4924]

Those Spartans has some really cool shield designs!

[@horsepower523]

Absolutely. They look really impressive and intimidating at the same time. The entire Spartan troop armory looked just totally badass and intimidating. That's psychological warfare at its finest.

[@therabman_5606]

I like how you say we don’t know! It’s actually refreshing to hear. To many videos I watch say things as if they are pure facts when they are just a good theory

[@rhor1882]

8:06 That guy might need more training he's holding the sword the wrong way round.

[@jamesdavis625]

Definitely a member of the Royal Guard

[@NickariusSN]

Bruh yeah once he trips that blade is gonna butcher his head

[@theguybehindyou4762]

Only Spartans would brag, "Mine is smaller!"

[@kaydens6964]

Thats Alpha.

[@mrwhite5766]

in the medieval era they would do so as well

[@deadzone4155]

Fun fact: samll pps were considerd better than bigger pps in greek culture

[@theguybehindyou4762]

@@deadzone4155 And then they collapsed.

[@deadzone4155]

@@theguybehindyou4762 lol

[@johnisaiah985]

This is probably the best units of history for me This is my favorite channel

[@InvictaHistory]

Yay! This episode was super fun to research and produce. We will continue to expand this series with more units of antiquity and are actually planning to branch out into the Medieval period soon : )

[@johnisaiah985]

@@InvictaHistory yes And i hope you cover the varangian guards

[@tyrant-den884]

I mean, they did lose to the Sacred Band.

[@funfacttrivias2121]

Nope the thebans luckilly has a good general on that clash and also they are in decline the fact that the theban almost put all thier soldier on the side were the spartans are shows how they feard the spartans yet they know numbers still can turn the tide of battle on an open plane

[@davitsurguladze6643]

@@InvictaHistory french royal guard is something that you should finish series with

[@kjcolewelle]

“But we just don’t know.” How refreshing to hear this on a KZbin history channel. So many are so full of hyperbole with regard to this period, that it is hard to take even the facts they report seriously. As to the Spartans, after the hype of the “300” films, I guess more than anything else they exemplify the adage: “The bigger they come, the harder they fall.” PS (this is the edit): Reading through more of the comments, I am pretty impressed by the knowledge and civility in debate they demonstrate 👍).

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

"Damn long-haired hippies, get off my pass!" - Xerxes, Shahanshah - Edit: No more likes please. Lets keep it 300. =)

[@TheFinnfluencer]

Hippeis

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Cross Eyed Dog - Yes; Epsilon before Iota.

[@vaniaadoptme6852]

Hippeis

[@TheMiGger]

Your comment received 300 likes. Perfection

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

The MiGger - Ha! That’s all I need to hold Thermopylae for a while. Thanks!

[@jason-composer]

The animation, the quality, thank you for such a visually informative and engaging video on youtube!! Thanks to the entire team :))

[@akhileshiyer5980]

Extremely comprehensive and very well-composed! Thank you!

[@tyhansen8025]

I hear that king Phillip told the Spartans “If I invade Lakonia you will be destroyed, never to rise again.” The Spartans replied with one word, “If.”

[@horaceosirian8993]

With a lisp.

[@randomelite4562]

While the quote is true, Philip the 2nd didn’t bother with Sparta because it was such a minor power at that point and he had bigger fish to fry

[@mrwhat5094]

@@randomelite4562 that's what he'd like to say.

[@apmoy70]

It would be nice to deal with the Sciritae next, who were distinguished above all of the other Perioikoi for their bravery, and their Sciritis Lochos which occupied the most honourable extreme left of the Spartan wing, and the Krypteia, the Spartan secret service.

[@TheMortzilla]

Fantastic work! Thx a lot for this very well made documentary!

[@revencovictor370]

The art in these videos is truly amazing

[@shanemize3775]

Very interesting and informative. I really enjoyed the depth of knowledge and of how enjoyable the presentation was. I always love your videos! Please keep the outstanding videos coming and God bless you, my friend!

[@snookiewozo]

This video is beyond epic. I had high expectations but didnt expect that.

[@anastasioskampaktsis6340]

Excellent video, very informative! There are plenty of elite units of ancient history with fascinating stories, but at the moment I can think of the Macedonian "Silvershields", from their battles with Alexander, to their tragic fall and elimination decades later, in the time of the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

[@marcusjohnbondurajr]

A pet peeve of mine is the mentioning of the spartan 300 at Thermopylae without mentioning the few thousand other Greeks of other city states making it appear as if the spartan 300 were alone and held more than 100k Persians at bay for days. It unfairly and undeservedly casts Sparta in an immortal superhuman humans which they were not. They hadn’t much real fighting battles against actual countries. A peoples that were larger than the city state opponents they almost always fought against.

[@SnafuWT]

in reality there were actually around 7000 greeks holding off the persians. Upon the Greeks being outflanked due to Ephialtes of Trachis leading the Persians to the Anopeia goat pass Leonidas ordered the bulk of the remaining Greek Army to retreat. Save for the Lakonian Perioikoi the remaining Spartans under Leonidas and Dienikes alongside their 900 Helot slaves as well as 700 Thespians under the leadership of Demophilus of Thespiae and 400 Thebens stayed to form the rear guard. The remaining Greeks shortly thereafter having been pushed back from their initial defensive positions on the plain of the pass retreated onto Kolonos Hill where they fought the last stand. Of the 2,300 or so men who stayed to cover the retreat the only Greeks to survive were the majority of the 400 Thebens who during the fighting would capitulate to the Persians. King Leonidas I of the Agiad Dynasty and his commander Dienekes who was voted the bravest of all the Greeks at Thermopylae alongside their fellow Spartans as well as their Helots and the Thespians under Demophilus amounting to 1,900 men died fighting tooth and nail to the very last. Their sacrifice ensured the safe unharassed retreat of some 3,000 allied Greek soldiers many of whom would be present for the Greek victory at the Battle of Plataea the following year. The Greeks on Kolonos Hill are attested to have fought so ferociously during their last stand that the Persians chose to disengage from direct combat and finish them off with continous volleys of arrow shot until all were dead. Of the 7,000 Greeks at Thermopylae around 3,600 died in battle while the Persians for their victory are said to have lost as many as 20,000 men.

[@killboxonealpha9078]

Are you guys time travellers? 🤣 seems like you were there

[@KrolKaz]

Didn't you see the movie? The Greeks wuz ill equipt and most of them deserted or joined Xerxes. I thought this wuz comin knowledge by now fr tho wtf lol

[@KrolKaz]

Archeologists found some Greek looking pots at the battle grounds and assume it means they fought with Lionitus

[@fairoboilawrence5287]

@@SnafuWT But they aren't Lying. There was 300 Spartan at Themoplye. That is a fact. Their were other greeks but not spartans

[@konradwiesler1567]

First: A big thank you to those wonderfull in detail analysis on ancient units I‘d love to See Another Video of this kind about the Pretorian guard

[@franciscoalarcon3222]

Amazing. Thanks for all the hard work! 🙌 🙏

[@apmoy70]

Gerousia is the Modern Greek name for Senate, so the US Senate is Gerousia to us, and Senator is Gerousiastes. Also, Sparta may have had collapsed by the late antiquity, but the Spartans never disappeared, they moved their capital from the ancient city which was left abandoned to avoid the Gothic and later Slavic invasions, to some 6 km north at Mystra, and became a respected Medieval power known as the "Despotate of Mystra" whose Despot (ruler) was one of the sons of the Eastern Roman Emperor. They never succumbed to the Ottomans as they were self-ruled when the whole Balkan peninsula belonged to the Ottoman Empire. Modern Maniots who inhabit the dry and mountainous region of Mani, are considered the descendants of the ancient Spartans, they're similarly fiercely independent, warlike, and continue the tradition of being monarchophile. There's also a region to the east of Laconia, called Tsakonia (possibly a corruption of Exolaconia/Outer-Laconia) whose inhabitants, the Tsakonians, speak (or rather, spoke as their language is endangered) a dialect which experts consider as the sole descendant of the ancient Doric dialect of Greek, called Tsakonian, mostly unintelligible to the rest of Greeks due to its archaisms and the different path it took as it evolved. Nativlang has a good video on Tsakonian

[@mayageorge1847]

I like these videos but the research regarding the uniform of ancient Spartans is lacking in one major area. Lycurgis' laws regarding the shaving of men stated that Spartan males' faces must be fully shaven with the exception of the beard around the base of the face. This is represented in every sculpture known to Greek historians and archeologists with regard to Sparta. And yet here it is, the full beard like it was depicted in 300. No self respecting male Spartan would have walked around with that mustache. Oh well, whatever sells.

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

@@mayageorge1847 the guy wasn't there at the time. Some things will be overlooked.

[@mayageorge1847]

@@garethwigglesworth8187 what do you mean? If one is recreating an ancient culture and making a game that also represents uniforms, it is simple enough to look up the uniforms and dress code of the Spartans. Lycurgis' rules for Spartan male attire for which grooming played an part and also plays a part in this video, is very, very common knowledge. All you have to do is look at every ancient Spartan sculpture or pottery painting and you can see how they dressed, in relation to both their clothing and styling of their hair. The rules are also stated plainly in Spartan law. Not rocket scientry

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

@@mayageorge1847 I agree its sacrilege, have him tied up to a wooden post and have him shot at dawn.

[@mayageorge1847]

@@garethwigglesworth8187 good thing you aren't accusing people of being dramatic because that would be calling the kettle black. I guess the world should just play stupid because to correct errors and expect accurate historic content on a channel dealing with HISTORY is the root cause of mental scarring for you. To avoid future harm, here is some advice: forget the truth, never listen to criticism constructive or otherwise; get your dad to beat up your teacher for giving you a bad grade; make sure your mom runs your bathwater for perpetuity because God forbid it was too hot, you would have noone else to blame.

[@krevin543]

Can you cover Napoleon’s Old Guard? That’d be pretty awesome to learn about their history and equipment!

[@anthonyrhodes8042]

I just adore the horse grenadier guards

[@scotttappan5705]

Only seen 3 videos and its pretty much my favorite channel. Keep up the amazing work.

[@mentakush6579]

Man this video felt 5 minutes long, I love it!!!!!!!! thank you for making these!

[@baquithemonkey5330]

The production quality of this documentary is incredible! Keep doing what you're doing. I'll keep supporting this amazing educational channel

[@shandelldieko5929]

"Give them nothing, but take from them everything"

[@gfdereus8967]

I clicked on it to have something in the background while caring for my 3 month old. Turns out he really loves your voice! Kid has been obsessed by it haha never seen him this relaxed and observant ❤️

[@jpm7049]

Thank you. These are amazing.

[@baseupp12]

Yes I love watching videos on Spartan military please tell me you are doing more videos in the near future on these warriors

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Warrior heart and legendary actions

[@deletedaccount7954]

Damn they had Rinnegan shields? Im more of a Mangekyo Sharingan guy myself but thats a bad ass custom decal lol

[@chriswhite4640]

Haven't even watched it yet but I know it's going to be another masterpiece

[@trollfacejawa6942]

A bit out of your typical period but I suggest covering napoleons old guard next. Also great vid, best one of its type yet!

[@ABC060491]

Great vid! Nitpick - the hoplite at @8:08 is holding the kopis backwards.

[@imnotchilla9482]

Maybe it was to show the kopis?

[@helios4753]

The spear also didn't have a buttspike

[@CalebAdams]

WHoever makes those animations too is incredible!

[@danniis9444]

Mate, this was absolutely awesome. Sending thanks from Australia ✌

[@syndicalist-0]

Man the art of these videos is so great!

[@emiliechoquette848]

I show these to my girlfriend who’s just starting to like history, very informative and entertaining. Keep it up man 👍👍

[@fartellparks6215]

Yep

[@jeremytillman3567]

She told me her favorite period is the crusades . Just a heads up.

[@Turco949]

Seems real history is often far less glamorous but in a way, a lot more interesting.

[@undeadchronicxiv4189]

You said this was dropping tommorow, But You drop it tonight! Hell ya!

[@ueks69]

Very informative and well executed 👍

[@heinzkrupps5028]

No group of youngsters could of been believed to be able to shoulder such a epic survival mission. They were almost certainly battle hardened vets at Thermopylae.

[@horaceosirian8993]

Average age of Vietnam vets was 19. The Spartan Royal Guard were the cream of the crop. You should shut up more.

[@RoyalMountedAnkleBiters]

Very cool & lots of great info, some of which I've never heard such as them creating a uniform standard which included the shield. Would have been incredibly initimdating indeed. One aspect historians certainly are not (imo) thinking critically enough on (& sounds like it doesn't sit right even w/ historians) is that such a militant society would forego martial weapons training. This is likely due to historians very rarely being in the military or having complex martial training w/ experience using such training in a combat or full contact scenarios. The fact we know for sure they practiced wrestling & combat formations means they knew & appreciated the extreme advantage, often life & death, of practiced technique & drills. The argument currently made seems to be that wrestling was just done to make them fit & tough among the other exercises but any wrestler of any style will say these are just extra benefits while the experience & knowledge gained are the primary benefits. Even if one takes 2 ppl w/ no experience & had them wrestle on & off for a few hours each day, easily by the 2nd day one would clearly see natural techniques develop. This is why every culture which has a wrestling background (which is nearly all) have defined techniques & drills which naturally developed & were passed down by those w/ experience. The agoge system would have done this w/ drills & techniques being developed & enhanced each generation. This understanding would translate (again naturally) to weapons training. There are also other good arguments but this is already too long, lol. I'd wager the reason we don't have knowledge of their weapons techniques is because they were kept secret among the warrior class within Sparta & done so by passing them down through direct instruction generation by generation.

[@CalebAdams]

Love this units of history series!!!

[@johnz6241]

Wow what a insightful video thanks

[@robertotamesis1783]

Now understand why King Leonidas sent one wounded elite guard to return to Sparta so he can train the new requits.

[@AlphaCrucis]

It would be great to have videos on the meanings and history of all of those symbols, such as the symbols on their shields.

[@falconsscream]

the upside down V is lambda, the greek equivalent of 'L' and it stands for Laconia (the name of the region)

[@AlphaCrucis]

@@falconsscream Yeah, that's the only one I know. >_

[@falconsscream]

not gonna lie bro thats where my knowledge ends too :P

[@johnphillips4708]

Excited!

[@marciebalme588]

for further information on the Spartan Army I recommend John Lazenby's book on the Spartan Army , it goes into great detail about the Army

[@gs7256]

The problem of Spartans were always that they were very few in numbers. Consistent wars between Greeks and against foreign armies along with a terrifying earthquake that destroyed their city and hunger after that made them less and less. In their toppest the omoioi Spartans were just 10000. In battle of Platee against Persians they were used almost all of them. An enormous power for the times.. In order to understand their value and importance in a battle that considered a catastrophe 375 Spartans died.. 375 only!!! But was taken by the city as a catastrophe.. The economic status in order to belong to the omoioi Spartans, the all life training, made every single loss of huge importance!!! Respect and only respect for these men. Last, I really believe that if the Greeks were not having an endless civil wars between them for more than 1000 years, (with a small break of Union of all Greeks with leaders Phillip snd Alexander the Great (YES MACEDONS WERE AND ARE ONLY GREEKS!!!) Rome would never have any chance to occupy Greece.

[@youtub415]

elites are always few

[@JohnDoe-nq5pk]

Thank you for what you do. Earnestly. I have my first child on the way in this increasingly crazy world. I want to keep my child away from technology to learn the realities of the world as long as i can. BUT when I do start working my children into the omnipotent internet, you are one of the resources I have in mind when it comes to history. You are invaluable in the effort you provide

[@Tekmirion]

Congruts ! Very well presented !

[@philippkittmann4752]

Love this series!

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Reclaiming the virtues of honor and discipline 🔥🔥🔥

[@horaceosirian8993]

Their entire civilization existed on the backs of slaves who outnumbered them 6-to-1, whom they brutally repressed. Their culture, moreso than any other Greek culture, was built around pederasty. Google it. No money = COMMUNIST or FASCIST dictatorship. Take your pick, end result is the same. Liberty? Honour? Pfagh. Highest ideals: ultraviolence without remorse towards enemies, 'brave' heroic selfless blah blah blah self-sacrifice at a young age. Don't believe the hype.

[@almighty4384]

Please do one about Macedonia Argyraspides "Silver Shields".

[@M1tjakaramazov]

This video proves once again the more details we learn about history, the less clear cut and more confusing things become...

[@SSJ4Haz]

I felt like I was learning and going through a tutorial for a game I really enjoyed it!

[@dezmonasg6708]

Even with such small numbers, the Spartans made a name for themselves. Still known and respected today. Molon Labe!

[@horaceosirian8993]

Psychopathic parasitic pederasts tho...which is probably why _"Molon Labe"_ doesn't contain any sibilant consonants. You know...prominent ESSes & such. Prone to lisping.

[@nobodyhere2155]

Perioikoi Corps next please!

[@rockinrocketman]

Very good, thanks for this👍

[@psychobear1290]

Brilliant video thanks

[@InvictaHistory]

We made a follow up video on the famous Battle of the 300 Champions between Sparta and Argos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHu1aWSfg9-CedE

[@llialasoelsajrid2740]

a video for illyrian warrior? nice job guys

[@FreedomFighter08]

Hello Invicta, may I suggest a unit for your next video? The Pushtighban, the sassanid cataphract bodyguard elite of the sassanid king.

[@medievalist8441]

You should do the rhodian slingers and the tracian javelinmen

[@jaydaville1105]

Who doesn’t love history??? The more I learn the smarter I feel.

[@teedepefanio5687]

Awesome.. thank you..

[@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors]

Love this channel!!

[@Armorius2199]

Invicta do you mind me asking when are you going to release, WHAT IF CAESAR LIVED PART 4??????

[@diegonatan6301]

It will be released just after "Evolution of the Roman Legions: Part 2"...

[@Armorius2199]

@@diegonatan6301 hehe, nice one!!

[@retroracer6660]

@Invicta a units of history video on the Roman Praetorian Guard would be a good idea.

[@c4m1l0]

Thank you so much 💓

[@konahrikb1578]

I first heard of Spartans from the Halo series, with supersoldiers named after the ancient Greek warrior culture. The continuous references gave me tidbits about the real Spartans feats, particularly the Battle of Themoplyae. The real Spartans may have fallen to Thebans, Romans, and others, but the legends of their greatest warriors and kings, like Leonidas, still live on. The modern world could learn a lot from ancient Sparta, in terms of improvement and detriments.

[@BoJack594]

Can you guys make an video about Greece at Roman oquepation time, including sparta , athens and etc.

[@horaceosirian8993]

Can you become literate?

[@iranianboy3227]

کاری نداره شما زیر پارس ها گایده شدید

[@juliuscaesar8925]

One of my favourite channels :)

[@kaos7186]

Great video!

[@Sakarraterrum]

One curious detail is that like most of the other polis, the hoplites in phalanx formation fought next to their beloved ones (a father, a brother, a lover) to encourage them to not retreat. Sry for my English BTW :(

[@robertstoudt4578]

That sounds gay fight alongside there lover so u mean to tell me they been gags since the beginning of time

[@Sakarraterrum]

@@robertstoudt4578 no, I mean lovers. They were gays. In acient Greece, homosexyality was an ordinary thing. Loving a man was an important part of their society

[@suleimanhussien1559]

once an athenian asked a spartan why do you spartans have shorter sword, the spartan replied: its long enough to reach your heart.

[@horaceosirian8993]

Not representative of their culturally enforced practice of pederasty then?

[@ktsvany5469]

I would love to see serie about Sparta

[@samuelstuart8155]

There are tons of records out there about the agoge training and the dynamic between the various levels of Spartan society. May I suggest a couple books. Bury, J.B. "A History of Greece and Ober "The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece"

[@lewishowells2847]

THIS IS SPARTA!

[@mrwhat5094]

@Joe Public actually quite alot does. I can provide sources if you like. Regardless, of the quantity of physical material left by either, the impact of Spartan martial prowess through battle and legend will outlive all of us including the ruins of civilization's past.

[@Tripskiii]

is it true that spartans believed they were invaders in a foreign land and were always ready for battle?

[@mynameispro20]

yep

[@aenorist2431]

Pretty much. Unclear if true, or just a collective delusion to justify oppressing the Helots. After all, its easier to be inhumane to "the other" ... its pretty much nazi ideology, 2k years before hitler.

[@sadvenom7826]

@@aenorist2431 you should read about the suebi, a Germanic tribe that would exterminate entire celtic and slavic tribes for absolutely no reason.

[@anaussie213]

@@sadvenom7826 there was a reason, the larger the dead zone, the more prestigious the tribe.

[@Hagashager]

@@rrnsensei9240 The Battle of 300 is nearly 1000 years before the founding of Islam. A better analogy would be "Maybe all of Europe would be Zoroastrian or some branch of ancient Persian Paganism." But that's also virtually impossible since Persia, while definitely a tyrannical empire, did not impose religious uniformity. Xerxes, had he won, would've likely just maintained the local cultures and forced taxes to go to him. This also would've ended up meaningless since Persia was already falling at the time of their invasion of Greece. Not too long after the Romans would've come and cleaned house anyway.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

You have great illustrations. I just wish you had used more historically accurate shield patterns and the like.

[@georgethanos7700]

Excellent.

[@dsw1664]

An almost perfect mini-doc. The only mistake I can see is that the homoioi have moustaches. It was one of lycurgas more unusual laws that Spartan men were to have no moustaches. Aside from that. Perfect.

[@ralphieboogerbottoms]

As I understand it about the lack of mustaches; they went into battle with a forced smile like a grimace. It is tactical in nature as it opens up the airwaves and makes it easier to breathe and also shows your enemy that you are smiling at them. Also a mustache clots up with blood and dirt and you will not have a free hand to wipe it up under your helmet so a lack of mustache is simply tactical. I could be wrong but I believe that's why.

[@InvictaHistory]

Check out our "Welcome to Roshar" video on the Stormlight Archive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn2XfmqPrZWGiac

[@jayslay6913]

Can you do one for the Ottoman Janissaries. That would be awesome

[@sarahelambrechtsen6940]

I LOVE the Stormlight Archive Series... saw your video on Roshar, and it was so well done! Instant subscription... That's how I found your channel. Love your content!

[@kinglion717]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZO4koaGprlrisU

[@davidturner7299]

@@jayslay6913rc ffg iue fu dt Jim ugh FSA Dhwtu4tny2o

[@chrisleranthonysilveira5464]

Make a video on Roman Patereon Guard and also on the Roman army.

[@KHALIDKOTHIWALE]

SPARTANS are really the most badass armies and most fearless it's always remind me of king Leonidas who was martyr fighting battle with that tyrant name xerxes although they are banished from the world we still kept these great fearless warriors in our heart

[@bill884]

excellent

[@soapmaker2263]

Do the companions or the hypaspists next.

[@David-xy2ly]

Just wished they had people to write or drawings of their life in bit more details we could see today.

[@ivanlupo5922]

This is so amazing!!!!!🔥💪😎😤🔥

[@iranianboy3227]

سلام وکیرم تو اسپارت و تاریخ گوه یونان من فرزند ایران زمینم فرزند پارس زمانی که اسپارت ها زیر پارس ها له میشدن شما کجا بودید نژاد اریایی برترین نژاد است نژاد یونانی کیری ترین نژاد زمانی که خشایار شاه بزرگ زن بچه یونانی هارا میکشد شما کجا بودید و شما وتاریخ نویس کونانی در مورد تاریخ ما اشتباه دارین میگویدوشما همه چیز را به نفع خودتون میگیرید وتاربخ که ما میگیم درست است بعد ای یونانی های حقیر در کتاب گینس ثبت شده که ما برترین تاریخ رو بعد شما اسپارتان های حقیر فقط ۴سال بر ایران حکومت کریدید بعد هخمنشیان دباره شما حقیر هارو بیرون کرد کیرم تو تاریختون واسپارت کیر توش

[@basilacis5661]

very nice video!