They became a military society to protect and too gain land. By the way the spartans were very succesful too.
The best answer for the sentence in the missing blank would be:
<span>an expression of God's will.
</span>
Society at the time were religious-oriented, and it is seen in their paintings and other artworks as well to represent how the nation respected the sayings of God. And up til' now religion has spreaded across the world with that belief.
