About this season
Explores every aspect of Sparta's culture, lifestyle, history and legacy. Author Steven Pressfield reflects on the significance of the Battle of Thermopylae, where a force led by 300 Spartan warriors stalled the advance of a hundred-thousand-plus strong Persian army for nearly a week. Scholars explore the factors that drove the Peloponnesian city-state to strive for martial excellence. Ancient accounts explain how Sparta's warriors were trained and detail their prowess in battle.
Episodes (2)
1. Code of Honor
Aired 30 September 2002 • 45 min
This episode explores the creation of the ancient world’s most formidable military force. It details the "Agoge"—the brutal training system that forged Spartan boys into elite warriors—and examines the rigid code of honor that defined their society. The journey culminates in the legendary sacrifice of King Leonidas and his 300 men at the Battle of Thermopylae, the ultimate personification of Spartan valor.
2. Tides of War
Aired 30 September 2002 • 45 min
Following the Persian Wars, Sparta faces its greatest challenge: a decades-long struggle for Greek hegemony against the naval power of Athens. This part analyzes the Peloponnesian War, the internal pressures of the Helot revolts, and the systemic flaws that led to Sparta's eventual decline. The saga concludes with the Battle of Leuctra, where the Spartan myth of invincibility was finally shattered.