Approximately a century ago, we were certain that the trojan war was a myth and that attempting to determine its exact date would be akin to attempting to determine the sinking of atlantis.

Feel the turmoil and anguish of those who fought and died in the name of honor and conquest. Pain grips warriors' souls as they confront the brutal realities of war. From the agonizing cries of fallen comrades to the terrifying sights of blood-soaked battlefields, every page resonates with the visceral intensity of combat.

You will discover:

• The origin and foundations of ancient sparta;

• The role of mythical divinity in the emergence of sparta;

• Wars and conquests that helped shape sparta’s foreign relations;

• The lives and times of the great kings and heroes of sparta;

• The unique socio-political structure of classical and post-classical sparta;

• The famous agoge and sparta’s prestigious military;

• A typical day as a citizen or non-citizen living in ancient sparta;

• And much, much more!

The trojan war, in greek tradition, started as a way for zeus to reduce the ever-increasing population of humanity and, more practically, as an expedition to reclaim helen, wife of menelaos, king of sparta and brother of agamemnon.

Helen was abducted by the trojan prince paris (also known as alexandros) and taken as his prize for choosing aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess in a competition with athena and hera at the wedding of peleus and thetis. Menelaos and the greeks wanted her back and to avenge trojan impudence.