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The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta

The Persian Challenge

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The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta

By: Paul A. Rahe
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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About this listen

More than 2,500 years ago, a confederation of small Greek city-states defeated the invading armies of Persia, the most powerful empire in the world. In this meticulously researched study, historian Paul Rahe argues that Sparta was responsible for the initial establishment of the Hellenic defensive coalition and was, in fact, the most essential player in its ultimate victory.

Drawing from an impressive range of ancient sources, including Herodotus and Plutarch, the author veers from the traditional Athenocentric view of the Greco-Persian Wars to examine from a Spartan perspective the grand strategy that halted the Persian juggernaut. Rahe provides a fascinating, detailed picture of life in Sparta circa 480 BC, revealing how the Spartans' form of government and the regimen to which they subjected themselves instilled within them the pride, confidence, discipline, and discernment necessary to forge an alliance that would stand firm against a great empire, driven by religious fervor, that held sway over two-fifths of the human race.

©2015 Paul A. Rahe (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ancient Europe Greece Military Ancient History Ancient Greece Mythology Greek Mythology

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Sparta's First Attic War cover art
Sparta's First Attic War By: Paul A. Rahe
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Everyone who studies the Persian Wars even cursorily will know Herodotus and probably the much later encyclopaedist Diodorus Siculus, but the use of Aeschylus’ roughly contemporaneous dramas, and the later secondary Cornelius Nepos, Ammianus Marcellinus, even Justin, really enlivens this account and allows for the production of some interesting takes of key moments in the story. I use the term story deliberately, because this has dramatic twists and turns, moments of high tension, political skulduggery and plenty more, which makes it quite a thrilling listen.

The listening experience is only marginally impaired by the truly perverse pronunciations of the narrator. The bizarre pronunciation of Chersonesos reminded me of the old taunt, used against John Prescott, “I don’t think language is his first language”. There are many other examples. Oddly the same mystifying pronunciation of Decelea as Desealia as in an audiobook about Ancient Thebes by Paul Cartledge. Ah well. Can’t have everything I suppose.

Excellent use of all the major sources

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Extremely interesting and well read but clearly, they have left gaps for place names which have then been extremely badly edited in afterwards which make it terribly jarring. I have no idea why they did this.

Well written but terrible sound editing

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Terrible pronunciation and lack of understanding from narrator. Like Joey from Friends tying to read.

Good book bad narrator

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I am amazed that so much detail is available 2500 years after these events.
I understand that there may be some questions even controversy over some of these facts and the author makes this clear in his many comments on the respective sources.

I definitely feel that I have a better understanding of Laconia, Sparta and Persia after this book.

chock full of facts and details

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I don’t know if it’s the writing style, the narration, or both, but this is a hard book to follow for what is an interesting topic

Hard to follow

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