"The degree of originality in this book is remarkable. Its careful, detailed description and analysis of the Spartan constitution is full of keen understandings that help explain Spartan policy, diplomacy, and strategy."-Donald Kagan, author of The Peloponnesian War -- Donald Kagan "Polymath Paul Rahe-classicist, historian, scholar of the European Enlightenment-in this brilliant revisionist study, reminds us how Sparta, not just Athens, saved Western freedom from the Persian aggression-and did so because of its innate courage, political stability, and underappreciated genius."-Victor Davis Hanson, author of The Other Greeks and A War Like No Other -- Victor Davis Hanson "Western civilization owes much to Athens but also, Paul Rahe argues, to Sparta. He shows how Sparta's militaristic culture enabled it to defeat the massive Persian invasion of 480 BC, and make the flowering of ancient Greece possible."-Michael Barone, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute -- Michael Barone "The level of learning demonstrated here is high and the mastery of the source material and scholarship impressive."-Thomas Figueira, Rutgers University -- Thomas Figueira