THE GLORY OF SACRIFICE: How The Ancient Warriors Proved Their Worth
This is Sparta!!! It's one of my favorite movie lines and the vividness of the scene when this was uttered is still fresh in my mind.. Throughout history, Spartan Army has a reputation as one of the best warriors and fighters in the history of the world. They were considered to be the greatest warriors of all time. With this reputation, they were the
most feared military forces during the 6th – 4th century
B.C. and as a military powerhouse, Sparta's soldiers’ skills in warfare were unmatchable.
To
achieve their prestigious title which is celebrated until today, these warriors
had to go through the roughest training one could imagine. During the reign of
the Spartan warriors, every boy born was screened by their elders to know if he
could be a member of the elite army. These babies were examined physically, any
baby considered weak was left to die. Those infants who passed the inspection
were raised in tough love, ignored when they cried, raised not to fear the
dark, and were bathed in wine instead of water.
As
early as seven years old, the young boys were brought to “Agoge”, a military boarding school funded by the government in
which they trained until they were 20. In school, they were conditioned for
battle and survival. These young boys were brutally trained to be tough and be
physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for battle. At a young age, they had
to find ways for shelter as they slept outdoors all year round; to hunt or
steal food, but when they were caught stealing they were punished by flogging.
The
soldier life was the only option for these men to be considered citizens of
Sparta, they served the army full-time until they reached 30, and only then were
they allowed to marry. Spartan soldiers stayed on active duty until the age of
60.
In
the modern times, the Spartan glory is celebrated thru movies, documentaries,
and TV shows. Spartan: Ultimate Team
Challenge is one of the TV shows loyal to the Spartan concept, it showcases
the strenuous training the ancient warriors went through. The show is a race
designed to test one’s strength, endurance, and willpower, and every move can
make or break them. The race proves to be one of the world’s most gruelling
obstacle course ever developed.
While
the Spartan’s way of training no longer applies in our time, there are
qualities which were adapted by those who like to push themselves to the limit.
The elite army didn’t earn their title overnight, they worked hard, day and
night, rain or shine, and giving up was never an option. The harsh training made
the spirit of the soldiers resilient, which is also one of the greatest quality
an athlete needs to overcome the Spartan Race. While there was no need to sleep
outdoors, or hunt for food, the discipline, hard work, patience, and focus greatly
manifest in the heart of these athletes.
Slated
to premiere on RTL CBS Extreme on 22 April 2017, 9:35PM (8:35 JKT/BKK),
Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge will show how far tedious training, and strong
determination can take an individual. A team composed of two men, two women,
and one Spartan Elite athlete compete against five other well trained teams, in
a one mile loop with obstacles they’ve never seen before, for a chance to win
$250,000.
Follow
the journey of these strong-willed individuals and see whose team will make it
to be the ultimate race warriors. Follow us at www.facebook.com/RTLCBSExtreme
and at @rtlcbsextreme on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.
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