Units of History: The Skiritai - Sparta's Elite Irregulars DOCUMENTARY

Summary by Krater

This video explores the Skiritai, a crack force of non-Spartan warriors from the region of Sciritis who served in Sparta's military as part of the left wing, advance force, or reserve, and examines their origins, equipment, and service history.

From the video

Answers: Who were the Skiritai and what role did they play in the Spartan military?

• Skiritai
• Spartan military
• Ancient Greek warfare
• Battle of Mantinea
• Peloponnesian War

What it concludes

• The Skiritai were not Spartans, but Arcadians who originated from the mountainous region of Sciritis and were effectively foreigners in Spartan service.
• The Skiritai formed a specialized light infantry force of 600 men who traditionally held the left wing of the Spartan battle line.
• The equipment and tactics of the Skiritai are not well understood, with ancient sources offering conflicting accounts of their role as flank, advance, or reserve units.
• Despite their service history being generalized and contradictory in ancient sources, the Skiritai were an invaluable, flexible force for Sparta until they were disbanded after Philip of Macedon's conquest.