Spartiate

A Spartiate (, Spartiátēs) or Homoios (pl. Homoioi, , "alike") was an elite full-citizen man of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. They served as one of the city-state's ruling bodies, as well as heavy infantry in times of war. Known for their militaristic indoctrination since childhood, the Spartiate became renowned for their prowess in battle. However, their population decreased over time due to strict qualification, which affected the city-state in the years to come.

==Origins== thumb|left|Lycurgus of Sparta|Lycurgus According to classical accounts, the Spartan Constitution was the product of the legendary lawgiver, Lycurgus. He was said to have written the Spartan constitution early in the Archaic period, but dates in historical sources are wildly inconsistent, making it impossible to determine whether Lycurgus was an actual historical figure. It is clear, however, that at some point in the late Archaic period, the model of Spartan society shifted from a monarchical system to an aristocracy of the elite warrior class.