Nate's+story

The kingdom of Sparta was a city very focused on military affairs. At the age of seven years old, boys were taken from their homes to military camps where they trained to be Spartan soldiers. They received extremely harsh training and brutal punishment.

A young boy named Ariston, like most boys his age, began training to be a Spartan soldier at the age of seven years old. He did extremely well in his training. He grew up to be a strong, disciplined individual. he showed much promise to be a great soldier. He also did well in his school and studies. For thirteen years he prepared to be a soldier and at the age of twenty he finished his training. Although he was free to do as he wished, if there were ever to be a war, he would automatically have to fight.

Ariston went on living a normal life for a few years. While buying food from peddlers at the Agora, he overheard a conversation between two men. They spoke of a war between Sparta and Persia. Ariston realized that if these men were correct, then he would have to fight. This startled him a little bit because it would be his first real battle.

One day while sitting around at home Ariston heard a hard rapping at the door. He hesitantly stood up and walked slowly toward the door. At the doorstep stood a steward of the king of Sparta. He informed Ariston that a war between Sparta and Persia was near. The king had ordered every boy and man with military training to report to the armory where they would be assigned a regiment and given weapons and armor.

Ariston quickly reported to the armory. There he received a Spartan suit and helmet, a small dagger and a full sized sword. He was also assigned a regiment. The general of his regiment ordered them to march. They marched through streets and villages, and through plains and fields until they reached the battlefield.

When Ariston caught his first glimpse of the Persian army, he was overwhelmed with fear. The Persian army looked like a giant compared to the seemingly tiny spartan army.

The army of ten thousand Persians began to charge toward the tiny Spartan army. Ariston's regiment, along with the rest of the army held their position, bracing themselves for the massive impact. People were dieing left and right. Ariston saw the blade of a sword protruding at an odd angle through a man's back and watched him fall to the ground.

The sound of clanking swords and screaming men filled the air. Ariston suddenly felt something fly past his head. He turned around to see a Persian archer crouched atop a hill aiming straight for his head. Before Ariston could lift his shield, the arrow was embedded in his chest. He fell to the ground and died within seconds.

By some miracle, the Spartans outlasted the Persians and saved their city. Although the won the battle, they paid for it with many lives including the life of Ariston.