The Spartans were a warrior society in Greece who reached the height of their power around the fifth century B.C. Their culture was typified by honor, loyalty to the state above all else and a skilled and powerful military. All of this was indoctrinated into the youth through the mandatory education process that started at age 7, which focused on military training and produced the professional soldiers that made up the male Spartan population. For true Spartans, the only profession available was that of a soldier, creating this fierce community.
In modern times Sparta has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to several movies detailing the exploits of this warrior nation, with many of the tenants of restraint, endurance and physical prowess gaining popularity in turn. These days, Spartan tattoos can commemorate military service and the life of a professional soldier, or simply symbolize the wearer’s appreciation of the values this society held so high. Whatever the meaning behind these tattoos, this ancient culture and their unique principles make for excellent subject matter for this most permanent of ornamentations.