History Memes

For bonus points: Sparta was a strong proponent of oligarchy, and ran a society based on the idea that a dedicated warrior caste of pureblood nobles in a proto-eugenics system who did nothing but fight and terrorize their 'lessers', and who felt shame at any death other than death in battle, would make superior warriors.

Thebes was a proponent of (Ancient Greek) democracy, and the Sacred Band was made up of citizen volunteers who retired to honorable civilian life after a decade or so of service.

Common authoritarian L, common democracy W 😎

Also I wouldn't mind be defeated by a bunch of muscular gay men myself... but alas

It is interesting to think that societies would not only (forcibly) include specialized individuals necessary for civilization in frontline combat but also provide them with little training, equipment, or screening for aptitude. If i were to set aside my own opinions about war and forcing people to participate in it, it would simply be wiser to not only have a specialized class of soldiers, but to also eliminate individuals not suited to the task. Militaries into the modern era also have the issue through nepotism in the officer corps and incentivising the most impoverished to join the enlisted, they have the benefit of significantly larger numbers (total population), mechinization, and long range engagement. Even the most catastrophic combat in the modern era does not have the same (immediate) death toll.

Private Lee Lemon may well be the finest recruit I've seen in all my years of service. That young man fills me with hope and some other emotions that are weird and deeply confusing to me.

Alpha male Zapp Brannigan

Not only did the Thebans liberate Greece from the Spartans, they kicked so much ass they taught Phillip II how to build an unstoppable army that could conquer both Greece and Persia!

Wait