The Spartan army was a formidable force in ancient Greece. It was renowned for its military prowess and discipline, and was considered to be one of the most powerful armies of its time. The Spartan army consisted of a heavily armed infantry, known as the hoplites, who were trained from a young age in the art of war. The hoplites were organized into small units called phalanxes, which fought in close formation with their shields locked together. The Spartan army also included cavalry and light infantry units, as well as specialized forces such as the secret police and the elite royal guard known as the hippeis.