In ancient Sparta, the Agoge prepared boys for a lifetime of military service with harsh training that emphasised strength ...

Hoplite infantrymen were the military ideal ... to overcome the close combat favored by Greek armies. During the 5th century BC, swords became increasing shorter as tactics changed in favor ...

Without Spartan participation in the war against Persia at the beginning of the fifth century ... on this sixth-century B.C. vase as archers. They fought alongside the hoplites as elite mercenaries.

The guided missiles of their day, triremes were the key to Athens' greatness in the 5th century ... 480 BC. Above the rowers, perched on the open top of the trireme, would be up to 30 hoplites ...