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Which Spartan King was the famous Helen married to?

Menelaus. Helen has gone down in history and myth as the most beautiful woman of all time. The face that launched a thousand ships. Although it has gone down that she was stolen by Paris, perhaps she did not go unwillingly?

A cloak of which colour was associated with Spartan Hoplites?

Red. Hoplites may have been named after their two handled shields. In Greek the word Hopla which included the shield also meant a warrior's arms and armour collectively. The full Hoplite equipment was termed a Panoplia.

Which exiled Spartan King stood beside Xerxes at Thermopylae?

Demaratus. Demaratus' exile was voluntary since Sparta rejected him and, not being democratic, could not vote him into exile as the Athenians did to Themistocles. This makes his move to the Persian side more treacherous.

This Spartan led alliance provided the backbone to Greek resistance against Xerxes' invasion?

The Peloponnesian League. The League grew up with Sparta at its head, to unite all the nations of the Peloponnese. Unlike modern alliances like NATO, the members of the League were not all allied to each other. Each member of the League was allied individually to Sparta, although some were also allied to each other as well.

What were King Leonidas' last words to his wife?

Marry a good man, and bear good children. Queen Gorgo is one of only a few ancient Greek women whose words have come through the ages. Spartan women had much more of a role to play than elsewhere in Greece.

When told that the Persian archers would blot out the sun what reply did the Spartans give?

So much the better, we shall fight them in the shade!. A Spartan named Dieneces made this famous reply during the Battle of Thermopylae. Spartans always regarded arrows as a woman's weapon. In its way this phrase epitomizes the spirit of the 300.

In 479BC which two Spartan led victories ended Xerxes' invasion?

Plataea and Mycale. The alliance of Greek states was under Spartan control for political reasons, since they needed the Spartans to be with them. The Battle of Plataea was fought on land while Mycale was a sea battle. Xerxes was not in Greece at the time having fled after the Greek victory at Salamis.

What name was given to the Spartan organisation tasked with keeping the helots in line?

The Crypteia. The Crypteia controlled the Helots using a variety of methods from simple fear to outright murder. The organisation used the night as a cloak for its activities which helped spread fear and even terror. The average age of a member was 18.

Which Athenian commander was exiled for his part in the Spartan victory at Coronea 394BC?

Xenophon. Xenophon was given a country retreat near Olympia by King Angesilaus. Using the spoils of war he built a temple to Artemis. This was due to her patronage of his favourite sport - hunting.

Who famously betrayed the Spartans at Thermopylae?

Ephialtes. Ephialtes showed the Persians the Anopaea path which led to the rear of the Spartan position. With hindsight many have said Leonidas should have sent more troops to guard the path. When in truth it should be asked why the assigned defenders failed to put up any kind of defence.

When in battle how did the Spartans term themselves?

Lacedaemonians. The name Sparta has rung through history. In Sparta, Wisconsin, there stands a Spartan statue with an S emblazoned on the shield. When going to war the Spartans referred to themselves as Lacedaemonians and bore the Lambda symbol (an inverted V) upon their shields.

Who was the first woman to win a victor's laurels at the Olympics?

Cynisca. Spartan girls had almost the same edcation as the boys. Competing in athletic pursuits completely naked, they were also keen on horses. Cynisca (sister of Agesilaus II) won her victory crown when she entered her four horse chariot team.

The Spartans have acquired the reputation of being the Greek world's version of what?

The SAS. Male Spartans were forbidden any other path than that of the study and practice of war. They were a uniquely professional and motivated force. They exectuted mass maneouvres with a precision alien to many others.

Which City State was Sparta's oldest Peloponnesian enemy?

Argos. From as early as the late 8th century BC these two states were on a collision course. A pitched battle was fought in 669BC at Hysiae, Argos won. In about 545BC the Spartans gained revenge. The two states continued to fight until the end.

In 395BC he became the first King to command both the army and the navy at once. Who was it?

King Agesilaus II. The year 396BC had been momentous for Agesilaus. It saw him granted the supreme command in Asia after he persuaded the authorities of his suitability. It had also seen his sister's victory in the Olympic games (although the triumphant inscription does not mention the male driver).