The bronze lie

Cole, Myke

£15.99

The Spartan hoplite enjoys unquestioned currency as history’s greatest fighting man. The last stand at Thermopylae made the Spartans legends in their own time, famous for their ability to endure hardship, control their emotions, and to never surrender – even in the face of impossible odds, even when it meant certain death. Was this reputation earned? Or was it simply the success of a propaganda machine that began turning at Thermopylae in 480 BC? Covering Sparta’s full classical history from the polis’ (city-state) foundation to its final subsumption by Rome in the first century BC, this book examines the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy, painting a very different picture of Spartan warfare – punctuated by frequent and heavy losses.

Out of stock

Publish Date: 02/02/2023

Description

Covering Sparta’s full classical history, The Bronze Lie examines the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy.The last stand at Thermopylae made the Spartans legends in their own time, famous for their toughness, stoicism and martial prowess – but was this reputation earned?The Spartan hoplite enjoys unquestioned currency as history’s greatest fighting man. Spartans were known for their refusal to surrender in the face of impossible odds, even when it meant certain death. But was this simply the success of a propaganda machine?Covering Sparta’s full classical history from the foundation of the city-state through to its final overthrow by Rome in the 1st century BC, The Bronze Lie examines the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy and paints a very different picture of Spartan warfare – one punctuated by frequent and heavy losses.Author Myke Cole looks at the major battles, with a special focus on previously under-publicized Spartan reverses that have been left largely unexamined. He reveals why Spartan society became dedicated to militarism, and examines the men who lived under its brutal rule. The result is a refreshingly honest and accurate account of Spartan warfare.

Additional information

Weight 726 g
Dimensions 234 × 153 × 37 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

464

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

938.9 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K