This patch seeks to differentiate Sparta from other civilizations. The main objective here is to update and bring a variety of new tactics and ways to play Sparta. We must begin to chart a path to where we wish to lead civilizations.
How Sparta should play:
Sparta relies heavily on its extremely powerful melee infantry, gaining this advantage is the difference between success and defeat.
Spartan Cavalry are missing, along with their siege, but a good player can make use of the mounted skirmisher and trusty ram.
Spartan naval technologies are pretty standard for a Hellenistic civilization, though they're no match for the Athenians - if used wisely, they're still pretty decent.
Spartans have a robust but mostly average economy with good mining technologies and agricultural technologies; the economy must be quite capable of sustaining this military power.
The Spartans are clearly an offensive civilization, for them the best defense is a good, brutal offensive campaign or a quick preemptive strike against their opponents. Indeed, as they are unable to build forward walls beyond palisades, it is possibly their only form of defense.