Even a dozen Persians would not be fit to take the role of a single Spartan. While Persians commonly drop their shields and scurry home, Spartans remain. We are true men; we are fearless.
To create an infallible soldier, there first must be a flawless newborn. Since every man is created to serve in the military, men are physically robust and healthy; the same physical standards are upheld for women as well. Women remain healthy in hopes of giving birth to a physically flawless child (RGH p. 37). Every newborn is inspected by the Spartan officials and deemed worthy, or dreadfully unworthy, of becoming a proper soldier for the city (BHAG p.104). By the grace of the Gods it was decided that I was fit to serve and so I was placed upon the path to become an elite warrior. From the young age of seven I was taken from the warmth and safety of my mother’s arms and thrust into a strict military schedule designed to obliterate individuality whilst