Skip to main content

This is Sparta: Fierce warriors of the ancient world - Craig Zimmer

3,810,712 Views

45,178 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In ancient Greece, violent internal conflict between border neighbors and war with foreign invaders was a way of life, and Greeks were considered premier warriors. Sparta, specifically, had an army of the most feared warriors in the ancient world. What were they doing to produce such fierce soldiers? Craig Zimmer shares some of the lessons that might have been taught at Spartan school.

In 1859, scientist Charles Darwin presented the idea that nature had a natural selection to keep the better adapted organisms thriving and get rid of poorer adapted ones. Soon after reading Darwin’s work, Herbert Spencer, an English Philosopher, coined a phrase “survival of the fittest” meaning only the strong survive. Do you think Sparta proves this theory to be true? How or how not?

Login to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Craig Zimmer
  • Script Editor Amy Adkins
  • Director Franz Palomares
  • Composer Peter Linder, David Obuchowski
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from The World's People and Places