Hippeis, not Hippies

[Ghostmojo]

What is the evidence that the Spartan Hippeis functioned as a Royal Guard as opposed to an elite unit that often fought in the vicinity of the King along the battle line?

Doesn't the one comment rather support the other - they were a selected 'elite' who fought around the king (i.e. also accompanying him to Thermopylai [size=85:b6aq19g6](regardless as to whether they were proper Hippeis or not)[/size] and Leuktra) - there to fight and protect (bodyguard) the king (royal)? Stephen Hodkinson and Paul Cartledge both refer to them as the Royal Bodyguard and A. Andrews as King's Bodyguard. Thoukydides (Thucydides) also said as much.

I know I have discussed this before, but I believe they were definitely a Royal Guard when required. I say this because the Hippeis were originally cavalrymen (knights) drawn from the Spartan aristocracy (i.e the king's peer group) for a specific purpose - given that all Spartan adult males were warriors anyway. That purpose was included being a 'bodyguard' - and indeed on occasion an 'honour guard' (as Stefanos indicates). The figure of 300 is quite common in ancient Greek armies - Elis, Thebes, Athens and others had special units amounting to that figure (possibly inspired by the Spartan original?). I think, although I cannot prove it, that the 300 = 3 x 100 from each of the three Dorian subtribes. Xenophon tells us the Ephors selected three Hippagretai to each select 100 of the best men.

... 100 "select men" according to Herodotus 5.56, who may be speaking of the early fifth century ...

Why three and why 300? It makes perfect sense if you think of the importance of the tripartite nature of the Dorian tribe. Although not referred to by many here - the Hylleis, Pamphyloi and Dymanes strata was still significant well into classical times. Although both kings' families were nominally from the Hylleis tribe - I think it would have been only fair and prudent to have equal representation within the Hippeis from each group. I assume the Olympic champions would have had guaranteed places when those selections took place.

Most quotes about them mention them fighting around their king. That's what a royal bodyguard does.