Spero was a Greek soldier who fought in the 2003 war against Turkey. He was part of Sgt. Yannis Pappas' squad, and entered Istanbul on 7 June. He was one of only four soldiers still alive on 10 June. Spero, Pappas, Corporal Taso Kiapos, and Private George Nikolaidis entered Hagia Sophia that day, and were present when the 15th-century Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos miraculously rose from the floor in a blinding light. When Constantine revealed himself, Spero yelled, and fled Hagia Sophia. Pappas ordered him to halt, and briefly considered shooting Spero, but decided he couldn't blame him.