Has anyone seen or used Spartan Hoplites in campaigns?

[Horatius]

I just find it to be useless to send away all the way to Sparta for Spartan Hoplites, and then need to send them all the way back for retraining everytime they take some type of beating. I personally don't see why that is better then just having many Armoured Hoplites with Heavy Peltasts.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

i find them quite useful against Romans. easily took Rome.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I generally use them until the unit is gone. Since I use them carefully away from missile units the unit is usually either obliterated quickly, in one spectacular battle, or very slowly. They are worth the trouble, and if you don't want to retrain you can always retire half-used units and just move new ones up....Tis a fitting fate for such great warriors to retire on estates that they helped conquer.

[Avicenna]

Uesugi: what self-respecting Spartan would retire before being 60? :P

Horatius: the Spartan hoplites can massacre any enemy on a bridge. (any army without v long spears anyway.) They are your most dedicated and strong warriors, with higher stamina than others and kill much more quickly. They are the secret Greek weapon: use them wisely.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I never actually retire them, I just keep throwing them into the fray until they are reduced to nothing, I do sometimes merge units of them too, that can give you some decent sized high-experience units of Spartans.

[Garvanko]

Unless I really need a change to my armies, i generally just stick to Armoured Hoplites, who are excellent.

[professorspatula]

Spartans are definitely worth it if you have a temple of Nike where they are trained. Sure they won't make up the bulk of your forces, but it's nice to have a few elites you can throw into the mix when you feel like it. Although Armoured Hoplites are like arrow-proof tanks at times and well able to cope with most situations on their own, but a bit of variation is always nice.