ABSTRACT
For centuries, cohesion has been considered a crucial factor in the success of groups. The earliest records of cohesion are written descriptions of military battles in ancient Greece (Siebold, 1999). Specifically, the battle in 480 BC between the Spartan warriors and the Persian army has been used to depict the powerfulness of group cohesion. The outnumbered Spartans managed to hold their ground for several days against the powerful Persians. They did so not only with their physical strength but their unity; they stood ‘shoulder to shoulder, shield to shield, in the narrow pass to prevent the Persians from invading’ (Siebold, 1999, p. 8). This courageous stand by the Spartans was viewed as ‘a symbol of unity and cohesion’ (Siebold, 1999, p. 8).
