The Spartan army stood at the centre of the Spartan state, whose citizens' primary obligation was to be good soldiers. Subject to military drill from infancy, the Spartans were one of the most feared military forces in world history. At the height of Sparta's power – between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE – it was commonly accepted that, "one Spartan was worth several men of any other state." Please be aware that, due to the fact that our products are either individually cast, carved, hand painted and hand finished, there will inevitably be minor variations in size, colour and texture.(B156-1)