One-against-one, they are as good as anyone in the world. But when they fight together, they are the best of all. For though they are free men, they are not entirely free. They accept the Law as their master. And they respect this master more than your subjects respect you. Whatever the Law commands, they do. And this command never changes: It forbids them to flee in battle, whatever the number of their foes. He requires them to stand firm – to conquer or die."

"Go tell the Spartans, thou who passest by,

That here, obedient to their laws, we lie"

memorial at the hot springs of thermopolea

GO SPARTA