0 A.D. is a free, open-source, cross-platform real-time strategy (RTS) game of ancient warfare. It's a historically-based war/economy game that allows players to relive or rewrite the history of twelve ancient civilizations, from Iberia to Mauryan India, each depicted at their peak of economic growth and military prowess. Developed using Pyrogenesis, a ground-breaking new game engine custom-built to suit this project, 0 A.D. will give players a rich and entertaining real-time gaming experience.
The Spartans had a very peculiar form of government which enabled them to be professional soldiers. It not only enabled them, but actually forced them to be superior soldiers as a small group of Spartans had to dominate an enormous number of subjects and unwilling allies. The Spartan army was superior in Hellas, and in the rest of the known world. No other army was so well trained, and had such excellent equipment. They believed that traditional training was the key to success, and for centuries they were correct, as they rarely lost a battle in spite of their small numbers. Ironically enough, this concept ended the Spartan supremacy, as the Spartan phalanx could not resist the new sloped Theban phalanx and the invading integrated Macedonian forces. The end of the Spartan power marked the end of the domination of the phalanx. This full-blooded Spartiate wears the famous Corinthian Helmet with a red "Spartan" crest. He wears a plate-mail reinforced linen cuirasse for body armor. Bronze greaves protect his legs, while the large round hoplite shield (aspis or hoplon) protects him from arrow fire and spear thrusts. Items peculiar to the Spartans are the red cloak and the Lamda insignia on their shields. Lamda is the Hellene letter "L", which stands for Lacedaemonia, the Hellene word for Sparta.