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<dh-ad/>__NOTOC__[[File: Leonidas I ==== History of Sparta.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|King Leonidas I Sparta]]====For many decades Sparta is one of was the most famous states greatest power in the Classical eraGreece. It is often regarded as the epitome of the militaryThis power was based on its well-disciplined and much-state that is devoted to warfeared army. The history of Sparta has fascinated intellectuals from Plato until today and inspired great leaders such as Frederick Spartan Hoplite was considered the Great and Napoleon. For best soldiers in the majority of the Classical period of GreeceGreek world <ref>Hanson, it was Victor Davis. A War Like No Other: How the greatest power Athenians and had Spartans Fought the most formidable armyPeloponnesian War. To many(New York: Random House, 2005), it seemed that Sparta p. 56</ref> The state was invincible focused on the development of fine and indeed its army had never been defeated in battlebrave warriors. However, in 371 BCE Sparta was defeated The need to produce outstanding soldiers shaped Spartan history and this marked the beginning society. The origin of the end of Spartan power and it gradually became a minor power. This decay occurred because Sparta's population declined, change probably lay in the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ in values and a stubborn preservation of conservatism2 century BCE. Overtime<ref> Hanson, Sparta lost its position as a preeminent Greek military powerp.57</ref>

== History of Sparta==For many decades’ Sparta, had been the greatest power in Greece, this power was based on its well-disciplined and much-feared army. The Spartan Hoplite were considered the best soldiers in the Greek world <ref>Hanson, Victor Davis. A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War. (New York: Random House, 2005), p. 56</ref>. The state was focused on the development of fine and brave warriors. The need to produce outstanding soldiers shaped Spartan history and society. The origin of the Spartan probably lay in the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ in 2 century BCE</ref> Hanson, p. 57</ref>. During this time, Greek invaders from the north who spoke a variant of Greek known as Doric invaded the Peloponnesian. They overthrew the Mycenaean Kingdom and established their own state. The new state was ruled by a Doric-speaking elite who enslaved many of the existing population. These were the helots, a large population of people who were the serfs of the Spartan elite .<ref> Cartlidge, Paul, The Spartans (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 6</ref>. The helots had no legal rights and had to provide their Spartan overlords with food and labor. The need to control the helots shaped Spartan society. According to Spartan mythology, Lycurgus, who was almost certainly a mythical figure gave them their unique constitution, that set out not only the state’s political system but also its social order<ref>Plutarch. On Sparta (London, Penguin Books, 1994), p. 43</ref>. The political system was headed by two kings from two royal families. They were advised by a council of elders and every Spartan citizen could vote in a general assembly. Every Spartan male citizen was expected to be a warrior and the duty of every Spartan woman was to bear a warrior<ref>Plutarch, p. 56</ref>. Sparta was in many ways a totalitarian state and the government oversaw every aspect of the lives of the citizens. Infants who were deemed unfit were killed soon after their birth. Young boys were taken from their families and enrolled in the Agoge<ref> Plutarch, p. 67</ref>. To ensure that the Spartans produced enough warriors they developed the Agoge system. In this system, male children were trained from an early age to be warriors. They were exposed to many hardships and privations to toughen them up. This education produced the finest soldiers in Greece and the Spartan hoplite was invincible on battlefields all over Greece. Sparta had traditionally adopted a cautious foreign policy and was happy to dominate the Peloponnesian League. In the aftermath of the defeat of the second Persian invasion of Greece they decided not to continue the war against the Persians<ref>Cartlidge, p. 77</ref>. Sparta was always conscious that the Spartan citizens were a minority in their own land and they knew that if their army was defeated or lost that the helots would rise up and destroy Sparta. This changed during the Peloponnesian War when Sparta and her allies entered a life and death struggle with the Athenian Empire. The Spartans were able to prevail but only at a high cost. It could expand its influence across the Greek world in the aftermath of the defeat of Athens <ref>Cartledge, Paul, Spartan Reflections (London, Duckworth, 2001), p.112</ref>. This new power disrupted Spartan society and over time undermined the unique system that had allowed the Spartans to become the finest soldiers in Greece<ref>Thucydides 5. 6</ref>. A little over thirty years after their victory over Athens the Spartans were defeated by a new rising power in Greece, Thebes. The defeat at Leuctra was the first inflicted on the Spartan army. The Spartans lost control of much of their empire and no longer the greatest power in Greece, indeed they were something of a backwater and entered in a period of profound decline, although they remained independent, until the rise of the Roman Empire, who annexed it in the 2nd century BCE.

==Decline in the number of According to Spartan Citizens==Sparta mythology, Lycurgus, who was almost certainly a society mythical figure, gave them their unique constitution that was based according to many historians on a caste systemset out the state’s political system and its social order.<ref>Plutarch. Sparta (London, Penguin Books, 1994), p. The Spartan citizens were 43</ref> two kings from two royal families headed the highest caste political system. A council advised them of elders, and they dominated the other groups every Spartan citizen could vote in societya general assembly. The other groups in Sparta included the helots Every Spartan male citizen was expected to be a warrior, and the Pereoki, this duty of every Spartan woman was to bear a group of freemen who were not citizens and were usually craftsmen and traderswarrior.<ref>Plutarch, p. 11356</ref>. To be  Sparta was a Spartan citizentotalitarian state in many ways, a male or a female had to be able to trace their ancestry back to and the original Doric conquerorsgovernment oversaw every aspect of the lives of the citizens. Infants who were deemed unfit were killed soon after their birth. Young boys were taken from their families and enrolled in the Agoge. They also could not be of helot extraction<ref>Cartledge, 2001Plutarch, p. 5667</ref>. To be a Spartan citizenensure that the Spartans produced enough warriors, one had to undertake they developed the rigorous education of the agogeAgoge system. Only those who had completed their education in the agoge was entitled  In this system, male children were trained from an early age to be a citizenwarriors. Now there They were some exceptions exposed to this many hardships and these include a helot or a foreigner who privations to toughen them up. This education produced the finest soldiers in Greece, and the Spartan hoplite was invincible on battlefields all over Greece. Sparta had traditionally adopted by a ‘Spartiate’ family cautious foreign policy and was happy to dominate the Peloponnesian League. In the aftermath of the defeat of the second Persian invasion of Greece, they decided not to continue the war against the Persians.<ref>PlutarchCartlidge, p.6977</ref>. To be a citizen  Sparta was always conscious that the Spartan had to pay his citizens were a minority in their own way in the agogeland, and they knew that is he had to contribute to if their army were defeated or lost, the running of helots would rise and destroy Sparta. This changed during the system Peloponnesian War when Sparta and her allies entered a life and to supply his own armordeath struggle with the Athenian Empire. Failure The Spartans were able to pay their way, meant that prevail but only at a Spartan high cost. It could be expelled from expand its influence across the Greek world in the aftermath of the Spartan student bodydefeat of Athens. The criteria for a <ref>Cartledge, Paul, Spartan citizen was very highReflections (London, Duckworth, 2001), p. While the system ensured that 112</ref>  This new power disrupted Spartan society and over time undermined the unique system that had allowed the Spartans were dedicated and well-trained warriors it also led to problems replacing those who died become the finest soldiers in battleGreece.<ref>Cartledge, 2002, pThucydides 5. 1186</ref>A little over thirty years after their victory over Athens, the Spartans were defeated by a new rising power in Greece, Thebes. The population of Sparta defeat at Leuctra was never very high. Even at its peak in the 6th century BCE first inflicted on the number of Spartan citizens was approximately 9000army. This is known from the size The Spartans lost control of much of their empire and no longer the Spartan army at the timegreatest power in Greece. By the time Indeed they were something of the battle a backwater and entered a period of Leuctra profound decline. However, they remained independent until the size of the Spartan citizen populationRoman Empire's rise, once again based on which annexed it in the size of their army was only 4,000. The 2nd century BCE. ====Decline in the number of Spartan citizen body had been dwindling over time. This was even though the Citizens====[[File: Battle of Thermopylae - pass.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Spartans at various times the Battle of crisis had allowed some non-citizens Thermopoyle]]Sparta was a society that was based, according to enrol in the citizen bodymany historians, on a caste system. The Spartan leadership had long been very nervous about citizens were the decline in the citizen numbershighest caste, especially as and they dominated the helot population continued to growother groups in society. The exact reasons for other groups in Sparta included the helots and the Pereoki; this decline are was a group of freemen who were not knowncitizens and were usually craftsmen and traders. It is believed that over time that the <ref>Plutarch, p. 113</ref> Spartan birth rate declined. The exact reasons for this are not known. It may citizens, a male or a female, had to be a result of able to trace their ancestry back to the rigorous agoge system and the fact that the family was original Doric conquerors. They also could not as important for men as their comrades in the agoge be of helot extraction.<ref>PlutarchCartledge, Plutarch's. Morals (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1891)2001, p. 11356</ref>To be a Spartan citizen, Another reason for one had to undertake the diminution Agoge's rigorous education. Only those who had completed their education in the number of citizens Agoge was the fact that increasingly many Spartan citizens could no longer afford entitled to pay their dues in the agoge system as that society became increasingly divided between rich and poorbe a citizen. The growing wealth of Sparta was concentrated in the hands of the few and  Now there were some exceptions to this meant that fewer men could meet the financial demands of , including a helot or a citizen<ref>Cartledge, 2002foreigner who was adopted by a ‘Spartiate’ family.<ref>Plutarch, p. 12369</ref>. This decline in To be a citizen, the Spartan citizen meant that there were fewer soldiers over time had to pay his way in the agoge. That is, he had to contribute to fight its wars. The sheer brilliance the running of the Spartan hoplite system supply his armor. Failure to pay their way meant that a Spartan could be expelled from the Spartan student body. The criteria for many centuries even though their armies was getting smaller allowed them to overcome their enemies in battlea Spartan citizen was very high. However, by While the time of system ensured that the battle of Leuctra the Spartan army was simply too small Spartans were dedicated and well-trained warriors, it was defeated for the first time also led to problems replacing those who died in its historybattle. [[File: Battle of Thermopylae - pass<ref>Cartledge, 2002, p.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Spartans at the Battle 118</ref>  The population of Thermopoyle]]==The collapse in Spartan Values==Sparta was much admired in Greecenever very high. The Greeks admired Even at its peak in the harmony and order produced by 6th century BCE, the number of Spartan Constitutioncitizens was approximately 9000. Indeed many Greeks wanted their polis to adopt a similar form This is known from the size of government The city-state system also influenced philosophers such as Plato and its influence can be seen in his great work the RepublicSpartan army at the time. The By the time of Leuctra's battle, the size of the Spartan system was citizen population, once again based on the idea that the collective came before the individualsize of their army, was only 4,000. The state demanded total obedience from the Spartan citizen whose service to the state came before, their family and personal wishesbody had been dwindling over time. The Spartan warrior and indeed other citizens saw themselves as members of  Even though the collective and this is best seen Spartans had allowed some non-citizens to enroll in the agoge system. The citizen body at various times of crisis, the Spartan was expected to renounce personal wealth and gain and to use all their personal resources for leadership had long been very nervous about the good of the state and decline in the citizen-body<ref> Pausaniasnumbers, especially as the helot population continued to grow. Description of GreeceThe exact reasons for this decline are not known. with an English Translation by WIt is believed that over time that the Spartan birth rate declined.HThe precise reasons for this are not known.S. Jones (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1918), pIt may result from the rigorous agoge system and the fact that the family was not as important for men as their comrades in the agoge. 345</ref>Plutarch, Plutarch's. The citizen body was a band of equal all committed to the defines and glory of Sparta. HoweverMorals (Boston, over time these values were eroded and Sparta came to resemble its turbulent and very individualistic neighborsCambridge University Press, 1891), p. This was a long-term process and there were many reasons 113</ref>  Another reason for the decline diminution in the traditional number of citizens was that increasingly many Spartan values, that underpinned its political citizens could no longer afford to pay their dues in the agoge systemas that society became increasingly divided between rich and poor. Sparta's growing wealth was concentrated in the hands of the few, which meant that fewer men could meet the financial demands of a citizen. However, the Peloponnesian War accelerated this trend <ref> Thucydides. 6Cartledge, 2002, p. 7123</ref>This decline in the Spartan citizen meant fewer soldiers overtime to fight its wars. The booty from sheer brilliance of the war led to a growing divide between the Spartan citizens. A wealthy class of citizen emerged rich from booty and payments from Sparta’s allies. This Spartan hoplite meant that many citizens could no longer be members of the agoge system but that they even though their armies were under the control of a wealthy elite<ref>Cartledgegetting smaller for many centuries, 2002they could overcome their enemies in battle. However, p. 176</ref>. It is also believed that by the growing inequality in wealth also resulted time of Leuctra's battle, the Spartan army was just too small, and it was defeated for the first time in a falling birth-rateits history. Then Sparta was increasingly bedeviled by internal dissent and political in <dh-fighting. This was because many Spartans had experience of leadership outside ad/> ====The collapse in Spartan Values====Sparta was much admired in Greece. The Greeks admired the city-state harmony and they were no longer willing, to obey order produced by the old eliteSpartan Constitution. Spartan generals such as Lysander began Indeed many Greeks wanted their polis to seek personal power adopt a similar form of government. The city-state system also influenced philosophers such as Plato, and this led to growing instability, its influence can be seen in a political entity that seemed so fixed and stablehis great work, through the centuriesRepublic. Before The Spartan system was based on the idea that the fateful battle of Leuctra, Sparta was no longer as unified as it once was and this was a factor in its declinecollective came before the individual.==Conservatism==The Spartan system and state demanded total obedience from the entire society was built around one aim and that was citizen whose service to maintain the existing orderstate came before their family and personal wishes. They sought to preserve their ascendancy over the helot population The Spartan warrior and their leadership indeed other citizens saw themselves as members of the Geek world. It was a society that distrusted change and believed that it was destabilizingcollective, which is best seen in the agoge system. Sparta’ Constitution was handed down from generation The Spartans were expected to generation renounce personal wealth and gain and use all their personal resources for the state's good and it was not altered or changed. The system or society that was sanctioned by the constitution did not change eithercitizen body.<ref> Pausanias. The Spartans were notoriously conservative and they refused to countenance change, unlike the rest Description of Greece who was constantly changing. With an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1918), especially the Atheniansp. 345</ref>  The conservatism citizen body was a band of equal all committed to the Spartans was often a strength but also a weaknessdefines and glory of Sparta. The state or society did not change However, over time these values were eroded, and adapt Sparta came to new social, political resemble its turbulent and military realitiesvery individualistic neighbors. Sparta This was unable to changea long- this meant that it was inflexible term process, and there were many even at reasons for the decline in the time saw it as a society traditional Spartan values that was petrifying underpinned its political system. However, the Peloponnesian War accelerated this trend.<ref>Forrest, WThucydides.G6., A History of Sparta, 950–192 B.C., New York: W. W. Norton & C, 1968), p. 113</ref7</ref>. The Spartans did not change their military tactics and still used booty from the war led to a growing divide between the traditional tactics even when other states in Greece, such as Thebes were updating the phalanx formationSpartan citizens. A wealthy class of citizens emerged rich from booty and payments from Sparta’s allies. Then the Spartans This meant that many citizens could not change even when the citizen body went into a precipitous decline, there was no meaningful effort to reform longer be members of the agoge system. The society seemed incapable of dealing with many of but were under the problems that it faced in the wake control of its victory in the Peloponnesian Wara wealthy elite.<ref>ForrestCartledge, 2002, p. 145176</ref>.[[File: Therm2007.jpg|thumbnail|200px| Recreation of Greek Hoplite]]==Conclusion==Spartan It is also believed that the growing inequality in wealth also resulted in a falling birth-rate. Then Sparta was the victor of the Peloponnesian War and increasingly bedeviled by 400 BCE it was the greatest power in the Greek world internal dissent and a major player political in the eastern Mediterranean-fighting. However, by 377 BCE the This was because many Spartans had been defeated in battle for leadership experience outside the first time city-state and it lost were no longer willing to obey the leadership of Greeceold elite. The decline in Spartan generals such as Lysander began to seek personal power was due to military, social and cultural factors that allowed other states which led to challenge its preeminent position growing instability in the Greek worlda political entity that seemed so fixed and stable through the centuries. Among Before the longer-term trends that undermine fateful battle of Leuctra, Sparta was the decline in the numbers of citizens no longer as unified as it once was, and since they formed the backbone of the army, this greatly weakened Spartan powerwas a factor in its decline. The premium placed on stability and order meant that the Spartans distrusted change and this conservatism meant that Sparta could not change to meet the challenges that it faced ====Conservatism====[[File: Therm2007. Then the Peloponnesian War produced tensions in jpg|thumbnail|left|250px| Recreation of Greek Hoplite]] The Spartan system and the entire society was built around one aim, and that was to maintain the increasing wealth as a result existing order. They sought to preserve their ascendancy over the helot population and their leadership of war-booty, created growing inequality between the citizensGeek world.==References=It was a society that distrusted change and believed that it was destabilizing. Sparta’s Constitution was handed down from generation to generation, and it was not altered or changed. The system or society that was sanctioned by the constitution did not change either. The Spartans were notoriously conservative, and they refused to endorse change, unlike the rest of Greece who was continually changing, especially the Athenians.  The conservatism of the Spartans was often a strength but also a weakness. The state or society did not change and adapt to new social, political, and military realities. Sparta was unable to change- this meant that it was inflexible, and many even saw it as a petrifying society.<ref>Forrest, W.G., A History of Sparta, 950–192 B.C., New York: W. W. Norton & C, 1968), p. 113</ref> The Spartans did not change their military tactics and still used the traditional tactics even when other states in Greece, such as Thebes, were updating the phalanx formation. Then the Spartans could not change even when the citizen body went into a precipitous decline. There was no meaningful effort to reform the agoge system. The society seemed incapable of dealing with many of the problems that it faced in the wake of its victory in the Peloponnesian War.<ref>Forrest, p. 145</ref> ====Conclusion====Spartan was the victor of the Peloponnesian War, and by 400 BCE, it was the greatest power in the Greek world and a major player in the eastern Mediterranean. However, by 377 BCE, the Spartans had been defeated in the battle for the first time, and it lost Greece's leadership. Spartan power declined due to the military, social and cultural factors that allowed other states to challenge their preeminent position in the Greek world.  Among the longer-term trends that undermine Sparta was the decline in the numbers of citizens and since they formed the backbone of the army, this greatly weakened Spartan power. The premium placed on stability and order meant that the Spartans distrusted change, and this conservatism meant that Sparta could not change to meet the challenges it faced. Then the Peloponnesian War produced tensions in society, and the increasing wealth resulting from war-booty created growing inequality between the citizens.====References====<references/> Updated December 5, 2020 {{Contributors}}[[Category:Ancient Greek History]][[Category:Ancient History]][[Category:Spartan History]][[Category:Wikis]]