Sparta

Classical Heritage: +2 to cultural conversion
Fierce Independence: +10% melee defence for all units during battles in own or allied territory

Description

Compared to every other city in Greece, Sparta is in a constant state of war, even when it is not actually fighting anyone.

Every Spartan spends his entire life training to be a warrior, being a warrior or training other Spartans. Manual work, farming, trade and everything to do with civil society is work for the periokoi, who would be a middle class in a conventional state, or the helots, a class of subjugated slaves. Occasionally, the Spartans declare war on the helots to give their youths practice in the business of killing. The point of this arrangement is to produce a force of perfect warriors. Those who have faced the Spartans often feel the ambition has been achieved. During the Greco-Persian War a force of only 300 Spartans stood at Thermopylae and defied the Persian Empire; in dying they achieved greater fame and a greater victory than any Spartan could have imagined.

Although the Macedonians under Philip II and Alexander failed to conquer Sparta, the city was eventually forced to yield to the League of Corinth. With the Greek world in turmoil there is now a chance to reclaim former glories and be great once more.

Other Families

The Council of Elders in Sparta, the Gerousia, has 28 members, all aged 60 or older, as well as two kings. A loud voice is important, as decisions are made based on the loudest shouts, an idea that dates back to its founding by Lycurgus in the 7th century BC.

Royal Families

The two hereditary kings of Sparta, from the Agiad and Eurypontid families, claim descent from Herakles. They are completely equal in authority and power.
  • Laconic Austerity: -10% wealth from industrial and commerce buildings
  • Helot Repression: -25% servile unrest
  • Spartiate Warriors: +1 experience rank for Spartan infantry recruits
Starting Region(s)
Sparta
Specialist Units