Spartiate Marines

This Ultramarine succesor Chapter is the designated offensive force paired with those defensive experts the Gatekeepers  as one of the five Fire Warder Chapters who hold the Gates of Fire secure against the assaults of Chaos.

Founding
The Spartiate Marines seem to have been founded at about the same time as the Sons of Gulliman and the Howling Griffins. There is evidence that they were originally among the Astartes Praeses. Certainly they are recorded as taking part in actions in and around the Eye of Terror between M.33 and M.35

First Crusade of Fire
Possibly because of their experience fighting the forces of Chaos in the Sectors surrounding the Eye the Spartiate Marines were the first Chapters sent to the support of the beleagured Anvilars as  they fought to hold the legions of Xeraz at bay.

Organization
The Spartiates are Codex compliant with a few twists. For example: The Chapter Master of the Spartiates is titled the Polemarch but next to him in authority is the ''Strategos. T''he former is the battlefield leader of the Chapter and a master tactician, the latter as his title suggests is a practical theorist in the art of war. The Strategos studies the big picture and draws up the plans for a battle or a campaign which he then hands over to the Polemarch  for implimentation. In the field the Strategos' role is to analyze military intelligence and advise his Polemarch.

The Banner Guard is the elite of the Spartiate Marines the guardians of its standard - and its honor. So high is the level of excellence demanded of these ultimate warriors that though every neophyte dreams of joining them few truly believe that they ever will - and many who have been appointed to the Guard feel so unworthy of the honor that they have to be commanded to accept.