Last Stand of the 300

[3SoldierDad]

Originally Posted by x-factor

Follow on question for any of the other history-types...are there any other units from pre-modern history that you would call a "special" force? Who would you identify as the first "special forces" unit?

In his book To Dare and to Conquer - subtitle > Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations from Achilles to Al Qaeda... Derek Leebaert gives several historical examples of "special forces" like outfits. Including examples like the 22 men of the Trojan horse...

The Greeks had a variety of elite untis at various times and at various places. Leebaert provides a great quote from Lysander the Spartan General and Naval Master...

"Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it with the fox's."

[x-factor]

I'm reading To Dare and To Conquer off and on (I finished the section on pirates). Its a good read, but I find the guy's arguments to be a little stretched at times.