Spartan Army

Lore & Background

The Spartan Army is rooted in the mortal past of Kratos. In God of War: Ghost of Sparta, a flashback reveals that the oracle foretold the demise of Olympus would come by a marked warrior. The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupted the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos, with Athena on hand, and kidnapped Deimos. Kratos attempted to stop Ares, but was swept aside and subsequently scarred across his right eye by the Olympian. In honor of his sibling, Kratos marked himself with a red tattoo, identical to his brother's birthmark. The game also features a loyal Spartan soldier who appears as a minor character, and the ancient city of Sparta itself, which is home to the Temple of Ares.

In Their Own Story

The dawn light barely pierced the mist clinging to the valley floor. Kratos adjusted the grip on his spear, his ash-covered skin feeling cold in the morning air. Around him, the shield wall hummed with low chants, a rhythmic heartbeat of men ready to die for Sparta. He looked at their faces, young and old alike, trusting in his command. But the smoke from the pyres behind them smelled wrong, carrying the scent of divine manipulation rather than simple warfare. He tightened his grip on the blade at his hip, knowing that today, the gods would demand a price paid in Spartan blood.

Reader's Guide

The Spartan Army serves as the primary human military force within the Greek regions of the saga, dedicated to defending their city-state from external threats and divine interference. Their main goal is the preservation of Spartan sovereignty against monsters, invaders, and eventually, the schemes of the Olympian gods themselves. Membership consists of seasoned warriors clad in bronze plate and red cloaks, organized under strict hierarchy with Kratos historically rising to the rank of Captain before his fall. They operate as a shield wall, emphasizing unity and sacrifice over individual glory, though this discipline often makes them pawns for higher powers like Ares. In the broader conflict between mortals and immortals, their role is tragic. They represent human resilience yet are ultimately consumed by the gods' wars. After Kratos turns against Olympus, the army scatters or perishes, marking the end of organized human resistance in that era before the Norse realms take center stage.

Did You Know?

• A loyal Spartan soldier appears as a minor character in God of War: Ghost of Sparta, voiced by Gideon Emery.
• The ancient city of Sparta in the game is home to the Temple of Ares.
• Kratos marked himself with a red tattoo identical to his brother Deimos' birthmark in honor of his sibling.
• The oracle foretold that the demise of Olympus would come by a marked warrior, which Zeus and Ares believed to be Deimos.
• Ares kidnapped Deimos during the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos, with Athena present.