This book tells the story of Chartas, a young Spartan growing up during the years immediately preceding the Persian War. Many Spartan customs are described and the manner in which young boys were raised from an early age to be soldiers is well portrayed. The book closes before the famous battle of Thermopylae, but the events in Greece leading up to the war are covered and several well-known Spartans who played a role in that conflict are introduced. Show All     Download:     PDF       EPUB

THIS STORY OF SPARTAN COURAGE
AND ENDURANCE
IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO
MY BROTHER
FRANK LOOMIS DARROW

Preface

It has not been the intention of the author to confine the scenes of this story to a given date, but rather to select events which are typical of the Spartan life and character, and so to present a composite picture which is truly representative of a people unique in the history of mankind.

The story closes during the stirring times of the Persian invasion, but even here the author claims some of the license of the story-teller, though with no contradiction of fact, nor use of the imagination not fully warranted by Spartan history.

One of the objects sought has been to show the true nobility and rugged simplicity of the Spartan character, for it is scarcely credible that the citizens of the State which for so long a time was the acknowledged leader of all Hellas, could have been so wholly rude and savage as they are sometimes depicted.

Acknowledgment is hereby made of the author's indebtedness to "Muller's Dorians" for the invaluable aid which Professor Muller's comprehensive treatment has afforded.

JULIA DARROW COWLES

Pronunciation of Proper Names

• A'gis
• A-leu'as
• An'dro-cles
• A-pol'lo
• As-sem'bly
• A-the'na
• A-the'ni-an
• Ath'ens
• Bras'i-das
• Car-ne'a
• Cas'tor
• Ce'os
• Char'tas
• Cin'a-don
• Cle-om'e-nes
• Dan'a-us
• Da-ri'us
• Del'phi
• Di'o-do'rus
• Do'ri-ans
• Do'rus
• E-le'an
• E'lis
• E-pho're-um
• Eu-ro'tas
• Ge'lon
• Gor'go
• Greece
• Hel'en
• He'lots
• Her'a-kles
• Ho'mer
• Hy'a-cin'thus
• I1'i-ad
• Jason
• La-er'tes
• Ly-cur'gus
• Mar'a-thon
• Me-lis'sa
• Me'lon
• Men-e-la'us
• My'les
• Od'ys-sey
• O-lym'pi-a
• O-lym'pi-ad
• O-res'tes
• Pan
• Par'is
• Pen'thi-lus
• Per'sia
• Per'sians
• Pol'lux
• Pro'cles
• Pyr'rhic
• Pyth'i-an
• So'us
• Spar'ta
• Spar'tan
• Sper'thi-as
• Syl-la'ri-an
• Ter-pander
• The-og'nis
• The'ron
• The'seus (sus)
• Troy
• Zeus (zus)