#9 the only reason why we know this stories is that some non Spartans wrote them down. In a place and time known for philosophy, culture and art, those guys couldn't even write.
"I personally like Colonel John Sedgwick, a Unionist Colonel who was shot and killed by a sniper. His famous last words were “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.”"
#9 the only reason why we know this stories is that some non Spartans wrote them down. In a place and time known for philosophy, culture and art, those guys couldn't even write.