Spartan Warrior in defense holding sword and shield

When the spear was broken or the phalanx engaged at close quarters, the Spartan drew his short xiphos sword. Spartan blades were deliberately shorter than those of other Greek cities — the philosophy being that a soldier who needed a long sword had not closed the distance to his enemy. This pose, shield raised and sword ready, captures the disciplined intensity that made the Spartan name a synonym for martial excellence for two and a half thousand years.