Sparta

About

An ancient Greek city-state in Laconia, Sparta rose to prominence around 650 BC as a major military power. It served as the leading force during the Greco-Persian Wars and emerged victorious in the Peloponnesian War against Athens. Spartan society was exceptionally militarised, with the Spartiate class focused entirely on military training and physical development. Spartan hegemony ended in 371 BC following defeat at the Battle of Leuctra, leading to eventual decline as a military power.