"The Spartans are the equal of any men when they fight as individuals; fighting together as a collective, they surpass all other men." Damaratus to Xerxes.

Since all Spartan males served in the military, there was no higher honor than to be a part of the elite unit known as the 'Hippeis', who were the King of Sparta's personal bodyguard. This unit was comprised of the 300 best Spartiati warriors who were held in the highest esteem by their fellow citizens in Sparta.