More than 2500 years ago a confederation of small Greek city-states defeated the invading armies of Persia, the most powerful empire in the world.  In his newest 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 Atheno-centric 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 B.C., 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.

Dr. Paul A. Rahe is a noted historian of political philosophy, Professor of History and Political Science at Hillsdale College, and author of the renowned study Republics Ancient and Modern: Classical Republicanism and the American Revolution.