My favorite books about the great Spartan Nation

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion for the Spartans and ancient history in general comes from the iconic idea that those men needed to have a lot of courage to face the battles they faced and survive that. These soldiers faced terrible deaths in every battle to defend their families, their lands, their cities. More specifically, the ability of the Spartans to understand that through suffering and lack they could become stronger even if that meant suffering it in their flesh or seeing their children suffer. The different ways of understanding the world by the Persians, the Romans, the Greeks, the Celts... is something incredible.


I wrote...

The legacy of Sparta

By Christian Zamora Salamanca,

Book cover of The legacy of Sparta

What is my book about?

A great story that will immerse you in the world of the Spartans. You will accompany a group of Spartans who will have to make a series of decisions in order to survive, leading them to make history. Without a doubt a story that will transport you to ancient Greece.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Alexander: Child of a Dream

Christian Zamora Salamanca Why did I love this book?

This series of three books are very exciting. From beginning to end the reader is immersed in Alejandro's life in an impressive way. A recommended reading both as entertainment and at the level of historical and cultural learning. The story is well documented and explained, helping you feel what the different characters feel.

By Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Alexander as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first title in an international blockbuster trilogy of brutal passion and grand adventure in ancient Greece.This is the story of a boy, born to a great king - Philip of Macedon - and his sensuous queen, Olympias. It tells of the stern discipline of Philip and the wild passions of Olympias, and how, together, they formed Alexander, a young man of immense, unfathomable potential, capable of subjugating the known world to his power, and thought of by his contemporaries as a god. Alexander's swift ascent to manhood, as a protege of Aristotle and close friend of Ptolemy and Hephiaston,…


Book cover of Okela: Espartanos en Cantabria

Christian Zamora Salamanca Why did I love this book?

The ease of reading of this author is fascinating. He also manages to tell us a story that he connects in a wonderful way with some Roman remains found in the north of Spain. Definitely a great read if the reader can read Spanish. It is full of exciting and brilliant moments that the reader of ancient history will undoubtedly appreciate.

By Pedro Santamaría Fernández,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Okela as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Madrid. 23 cm. 426 p. Encuadernacin en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Coleccin 'Histrica'. Santamara, Pedro 1975-. Histrica (Ediciones Pmies) .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y seales de su anterior propietario. ISBN: 9788496952867


Book cover of Termópilas (Grandes Batallas)

Christian Zamora Salamanca Why did I love this book?

The legendary feat of the 300 Spartans who sacrificed for their city and their ideals is narrated in an excellent way in this book that also accurately reflects the way of thinking and understanding the world. A highly recommended reading for those who wish to learn about the world of the Spartans. In this story are the most important events of that historic moment.

By Paul Cartledge,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Termópilas (Grandes Batallas) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Viajero, ve a Esparta y cuenta que aquí hemos muerto en obediencia a sus leyes” dicen las célebres palabras del poeta Simónides que glorifican el heroísmo de los 300 guerreros espartanos que, liderados por Leónidas, dieron sus vidas en el paso de las Termópilas, conteniendo al enorme ejército del rey persa Jejes. Esta batalla fue un auténtico choque entre civilizaciones y la leyenda del heroísmo y sacrificio de la élite de guerreros espartanos en defensa de la libertad de su patria fue esencial para definir la identidad de la Grecia clásica y sus ecos llegan hasta nuestros días. La de…


Book cover of Hunting the Eagles

Christian Zamora Salamanca Why did I love this book?

A wonderful book that will show us the story of a Roman soldier, his experiences, his way of thinking, and his ability to rebuild himself. We can also learn a lot about Roman culture and their way of seeing the world. A great book that leaves no one indifferent. I really recommend this book because it shows the importance of not giving up in the face of different circumstances and changes that occur in life. I recommend this book to all types of readers.

By Ben Kane,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hunting the Eagles as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From 'the rising star of historical fiction' (Wilbur Smith) a new Eagles of Rome novel, by the Sunday Times bestselling author of Eagles at War.

JUSTICE , HONOUR, REVENGE

AD 14: Five long years have passed since the annihilation of three legions in the wilds of Germania.

Demoted, battle-scarred and hell-bent on revenge, Centurion Tullus and his legionaries begin their fightback. Ranged against them is the charismatic chieftan Arminius, determined to crush the Romans for a second time.

Convinced that the eagle belonging to his old legion is close at hand, Tullus drives ever deeper into enemy lands.

But with…


Book cover of Aretes de Esparta (Histórica)

Christian Zamora Salamanca Why did I love this book?

I don't know if this book has an English version, but it should still be recommended because it is the book that introduced me to the world of the Spartans, their ideology, and their way of understanding the world. For me, it is a book for seniors written as if it were for children. A fluent reading that guides you through the emotions of the protagonist, getting to share her joys and her illusions. Definitely a must-read if you want to enjoy the exciting world of ancient history.

By Lluís Prats Martínez,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Aretes de Esparta (Histórica) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

«Recuerdo que, de niña, antes de acostarme, me sentaba en las rodillas del abuelo Laertes y él dejaba que acariciara su barba blanca y recorriera con los dedos las arrugas y las cicatrices que adornaban su rostro solemne. Luego el abuelo decía para sí: ―Ha sido el miedo. El miedo al persa, el horror a perder la libertad, lo que ha hecho que Esparta se convierta en lo que es ahora. Es el miedo la causa de que ya no haya tiempo para la música o la poesía». Esparta, 432 a.C. Aretes, anciana lacedemonia, se dispone a recordar los acontecimientos…


You might also like...

I Meant to Tell You

By Fran Hawthorne,

Book cover of I Meant to Tell You

Fran Hawthorne Author Of I Meant to Tell You

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Museum guide Foreign language student Runner Community activist Former health-care journalist

Fran's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

When Miranda’s fiancé, Russ, is being vetted for his dream job in the U.S. attorney’s office, the couple joke that Miranda’s parents’ history as antiwar activists in the Sixties might jeopardize Russ’s security clearance. In fact, the real threat emerges when Russ’s future employer discovers that Miranda was arrested for felony kidnapping seven years earlier—an arrest she’d never bothered to tell Russ about.

Miranda tries to explain that she was only helping her best friend, in the midst of a nasty custody battle, take her daughter to visit her parents in Israel. As Miranda struggles to prove that she’s not a criminal, she stumbles into other secrets that will challenge what she thought she knew about her own family, her friend, Russ—and herself.

I Meant to Tell You

By Fran Hawthorne,

What is this book about?

When Miranda’s fiancé, Russ, is being vetted for his dream job in the U.S. attorney’s office, the couple joke that Miranda’s parents’ history as antiwar activists in the Sixties might jeopardize Russ’s security clearance. In fact, the real threat emerges when Russ’s future employer discovers that Miranda was arrested for felony kidnapping seven years earlier—an arrest she’d never bothered to tell Russ about.

Miranda tries to explain that she was only helping her best friend, in the midst of a nasty custody battle, take her daughter to visit her parents in Israel. As Miranda struggles to prove that she’s not…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Sparta, war, and Greece?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Sparta, war, and Greece.

Sparta Explore 13 books about Sparta
War Explore 1,850 books about war
Greece Explore 158 books about Greece