45. Sparta

To the South in the lands of the Peloponnese

There was a mighty race of men.

The Spartans

They were brave

Marching in military formation.

Living a utilitarian lifestyle

In barracks.

The state owned the Spartan man

From birth until death.

Any children not suitable

Were abandoned.

This was where Ares lived

They fed off of blood

Drinking of the spoils of constant war against helots

Eating the gentle cow.

Were toughened by conflict and civil strife.

They made slaves of the locals

Messenians twice rebelled.

They were subdued both times.

Colonizing as needed.

While Athens was founded on the intelligence of the gray eyed one

Sparta was founded on the dreaded god of war.

When a Spartan was young

He was a ball of flesh

The handlers of the herd

Whipped him and trained him

Until he hardened into stone.

The barracks was home.

Men were warriors first

Husbands second.

Even the women were hardened and powerful.

They buried their children proudly

When they died for Sparta

For that was why they were born.

Men were there to fight and die noble deaths

As they turn back the foemen’s sharp edged battle lines.

Sparta was double edged for Greece.

Inspiring fear

Inspiring imagination.

Admired in peace.

Dreaded in war.

They became powerful.

Many looked upon them

As a great ideal

Of patriotism

To uphold.