11-13-2009, 09:25 PM
Quote: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 (regardless as to whether they were proper Hippeis or not) and Leuktra) - there to fight and protect (bodyguard) the king (royal)?
There is a big difference between an elite unit that would fight in the place of honor along the battle line and a unit dedicated to act as a life-guard for one of the kings.
Quote: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.
Hippeis in Crete were still horsemen in classical times and not a king's guard.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
