Our little Spartan cousin of long ago

By Julia Darrow Cowles

Enter the disciplined, rugged world of ancient Sparta with Charilaus, a young boy preparing for the demanding life of a Spartan warrior. In Our Little Spartan Cousin of Long Ago, readers follow Charilaus from his early childhood training and austere schooling to his first experiences in the agoge, where courage, obedience, and endurance are prized above all else.

Through Charilaus' adventures-running races, learning to hunt, sharing secret boys' feasts, following his elders on military drills, and hearing tales of heroic Spartan deeds-the unique culture of Sparta springs vividly to life.

Told with warmth and rich historical detail, this engaging story offers a rare child's-eye view of the customs, challenges, and strict discipline that shaped one of history's most formidable societies.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1761831348
• ISBN13: 9781761831348
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Living Book Press
• Length: 114 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and under
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7