Spartans

Overview

Spartans are a Chronicles civilization in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, built around infantry. Their campaign roster features Polemarch; Hippeus; Chronicles factions are not part of the standard ranked civilization roster.

Civilization identity

Spartans is classified as Ancient world and is centered on infantry. Its defining roster entrys are Polemarch, Hippeus. This focus is a starting point for reading the technology tree, not a requirement to use only one unit line: the bonuses and matchup determine which parts of the roster are worth investing in. In team games, barracks technologies research faster; account for this while choosing allies and deciding which role the civilization should cover.

Civilization bonuses and their value

Each bonus applies to a specific part of the economy, army, or map plan. Read the effect together with its target: a discount matters when it changes a build or upgrade timing, while a combat bonus matters only when the affected unit or structure is actually fielded.

• A Polemarch hero is granted in both the Civic and Classical Ages Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.
• Villagers and Fishing Ships deposit more food This affects economic tempo or worker efficiency and can change how quickly the civilization reaches its next production or Age-up timing.
• Elite Hoplites become available earlier This changes access to a unit, building, or resource and can open a timing or map-control option earlier than usual.
• Polemarchs can receive specialized upgrades that change the support they provide to nearby troops Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.

Signature units and unique technologies

Polemarch: A Spartan hero who grows stronger with each Age, regenerates health, and increases nearby military units’ attack speed Hippeus: A slow, resilient Spartan infantry unit that receives stronger bonuses from Polemarchs These units define the civilization’s distinctive options. Its unique technologies add later-game choices; compare their effects with the cost and research timing before committing resources.

• Helot Levies: Spearmen, Skirmishers, and Villagers train faster
• Xyphos: Hoplites and Monoremes gain attack when surrounded by enemy military units
• Agoge: Hoplites can gain more armor from their aura
• Peloponnesian League: Monoremes gain bonus damage against Galleys, and Forts generate gold

Civilization game plan

The guide below connects the civilization’s bonuses to an opening, a main army, a transition, and the principal risk to watch. Adapt the sequence after scouting rather than treating it as a fixed build order.

• Opening: Use the larger food deposit from Villagers and Fishing Ships to sustain infantry and keep worker production steady. The Polemarch granted in the Civic and Classical Ages should be kept alive and positioned with the force it can support. Earlier Elite Hoplites create a timing only if the Barracks and food economy are ready when the option appears.
• Core army: Hoplites hold the main front and Hippeus can provide mobility where the map requires it. Choose Polemarch upgrades for the role the army is performing rather than researching every option. A Monoreme fleet and Peloponnesian League effects matter on water; on land, prioritize the infantry and Fort positions that can control resource routes.
• Transition: Choose a technology or production change that improves the force already fighting, then secure the resource route needed to replace it.
• Watch for: An infantry mass can be bypassed. Keep vision on side routes and preserve the Polemarch instead of exposing it in the first clash.

Team-game role

The team bonus is Barracks technologies research faster. This can help define a complementary team role. Coordinate it with allied civilizations that can use the bonus or cover a weakness in the roster.