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Brief History of Sparta

Sparta (Grk. Σπάρτη) was an ancient city in Greece, the capital of Laconia and the most powerful state of the Peloponnesus. The city lay at the northern end of the central Laconian plain, on the right bank of the river Eurotas. The site is strategically sited, guarded from three sides by mountains, and controls the routes by which an army can penetrate Laconia and the southern Peloponnessus and the Langhda Pass over Mt Taygetus connecting Laconia and Messenia. At the same time its distance from the sea—Sparta is 27 miles from its seaport, Gythium—made it difficult to blockade.

History of Sparta
Sparta was the main superpower in ancient Greece before the rise of Athens after the Persian Wars. Initially Sparta and Athens were reluctant allies, but soon became rivals. The second and third conflicts between them, which resulted in the dismantling of the Athenian Empire, is generally known as the Peloponnesian War. Spartan attempts to take over from the Athenians as 'the guardians of Hellenism' ended in failure, and the first ever defeat of a (full strength) Spartan hoplite army at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 B.C. At the time of Alexander of Macedon; Sparta was a shadow of its former self, and was eventually forced into the Achaean League.

Brief History of Sparta

"Scandalous" Spartan Women
King Leonidas
The Temple of Aphrodite
Aphrodite