SPARTA WAS THE EASIEST CITY TO DEFEND IN ALL OF GREECE

HERE'S WHY

• City surrounded by mountains on three sides
• Soldiers could block the two passes in between with the phalanx
• Sparta was 25 miles away from the sea, so the city couldn't be invaded by sea
• The mountains were almost impossible to climb over, especially for soldiers with armor and weapons

COMPARING THE TWO

Yes, Athens had a pretty big navy. Yes, Athens had fast ships, but did you think about the people defending the ships? Our Spartan hoplites on the decks of ships would be able to fight off any ship that tries to board us. Not all naval combat is about ramming.