WEAPONS AND THE PHALANX
Both the Spartans and Persians had weapons that were critical in the battle. The Spartans carried a bronze shield and an 8-foot bronze thrusting spear. If they threw their spear in battle, they would draw a 2-foot sword called a Xiphos. Unusually, the Spartans refused to use a bow and arrow because it was a weapon of cowardice. It could kill at a distance, yet not put the user in danger, which was cowardly according to the Spartans. The Spartans started training at childhood at the age of 7, and they train for the rest of their life in case of a battle. The Spartans had a formation called the phalanx. The phalanx was a formation that protected the Spartans with shields, but allowed them to use spears to dominate enemy soldiers. The Persians carried a wicker shield, which provided little protection. They also carried bows and arrows tipped with bronze, and a dagger was carried on the right side of a soldier.