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<dh-ad/>__NOTOC__[[File: Leonidas I of Sparta.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px250px|King Leonidas I Sparta]]Sparta is one of the most famous states in the Classical era. It is often regarded as the epitome of the military-state that is devoted to war. The Sparta's history of Sparta has fascinated intellectuals from Plato until today and inspired great leaders such as Frederick the Great and Napoleon. For the majority most of the Classical period of Greece, it was the greatest military power and had the most a formidable army. To many, it seemed that Sparta was invincible , and indeed its army had never been defeated in battle. However, in 371 BCE Sparta was defeated and this marked the beginning of the end of Spartan power and it gradually became a minor power. This decay occurred because Sparta's population declined, change in values and a stubborn preservation of conservatism. Overtime, Sparta lost its position as a preeminent Greek military power.

== History of Sparta==For many decades’ SpartaHowever, had been the greatest power in Greece371 BCE, this power Sparta 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)defeated, 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 marked 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 beginning of people who were the serfs end 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 power and labor. The need to control the helots shaped Spartan society. According to Spartan mythology, Lycurgus, who was almost certainly gradually became a mythical figure gave them their unique constitution, that set out not only the state’s political system but also its social order<ref>Plutarchminor power over time. On This decay occurred because Sparta (London, Penguin Books, 1994)'s population declined, 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 change in the Agoge<ref> Plutarch, p. 67</ref>. To ensure that the Spartans produced enough warriors they developed the Agoge system. In this systemvalues, 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 stubborn preservation 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>conservatism. 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 ultimately surrendered 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 position as ancient Greece<ref>Thucydides 5. 6</ref>. A little over thirty years after their victory over Athens the Spartans were defeated by a new rising 's preeminent military 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 == History of Spartan CitizensSparta====For many decades Sparta was a society that the greatest power in Greece. This power was based according to many historians on a caste systemits well-disciplined and much-feared army. The Spartan citizens were Hoplite was considered the highest caste and they dominated best soldiers in the other groups in societyGreek world <ref>Hanson, Victor Davis. The other groups in Sparta included A War Like No Other: How the helots Athenians and Spartans Fought the PereokiPeloponnesian War. (New York: Random House, 2005), this was a group of freemen who were not citizens and were usually craftsmen and traders<ref>Plutarch, p. 113p. 56</ref>The state was focused on the development of fine and brave warriors. To be a The need to produce outstanding soldiers shaped Spartan history and society. The origin of the Spartan citizen, a male or a female had to be able to trace their ancestry back to the original Doric conquerors. They also could not be of helot extraction<ref>Cartledge, 2001probably lay in the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ in 2 century BCE.<ref> Hanson, p. 5657</ref>. To be a Spartan citizen During this time, one had to undertake Greek invaders from the rigorous education north spoke a variant of Greek known as Doric invaded the agogePeloponnesian. Only those who had completed They overthrew the Mycenaean Kingdom and established their education in the agoge own state. The new state was entitled to be ruled by a citizenDoric-speaking elite who enslaved many of the existing population. Now there These were some exceptions to this and these include the helots, a helot or a foreigner large population of people who was adopted by a ‘Spartiate’ family were the serfs of the Spartan elite.<ref>PlutarchCartlidge, Paul, pThe Spartans (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p.696</ref>. To be a citizen the Spartan The helots had no legal rights and had to pay his own way in the agoge, that is he had to contribute provide their Spartan overlords with food and labor. The need to control the running of the system and helots shaped Spartan society.  According to supply his own armor. Failure to pay Spartan mythology, Lycurgus, who was almost certainly a mythical figure, gave them their way, meant unique constitution that a Spartan could be expelled from set out the Spartan student bodystate’s political system and its social order.<ref>Plutarch. The criteria for a Spartan citizen was very highSparta (London, Penguin Books, 1994), p. While 43</ref> two kings from two royal families headed the political system ensured that the Spartans were dedicated . A council advised them of elders, and well-trained warriors it also led to problems replacing those who died every Spartan citizen could vote in battlea 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>Cartledge, 2002Plutarch, p. 11856</ref>. The population of  Sparta was never very high. Even at its peak a totalitarian state in many ways, and the 6th century BCE government oversaw every aspect of the number lives of Spartan the citizens was approximately 9000. This is known Infants who were deemed unfit were killed soon after their birth. Young boys were taken from their families and enrolled in the size of the Spartan army at the timeAgoge.<ref> Plutarch, p. By the time of 67</ref> To ensure that the battle of Leuctra the size of the Spartan citizen populationSpartans produced enough warriors, once again based on they developed the size of their army was only 4Agoge system.  In this system,000. The Spartan citizen body had been dwindling over timemale children were trained from an early age to be warriors. They were exposed to many hardships and privations to toughen them up. This was even though education produced the Spartans at various times of crisis had allowed some non-citizens to enrol finest soldiers in Greece, and the citizen body. The Spartan leadership hoplite was invincible on battlefields all over Greece. Sparta had long been very nervous about traditionally adopted a cautious foreign policy and was happy to dominate the decline in Peloponnesian League. In the citizen numbers, especially as aftermath of the helot population continued defeat of the second Persian invasion of Greece, they decided not to growcontinue the war against the Persians. The exact reasons for this decline are not known<ref>Cartlidge, p. It is believed that over time 77</ref>  Sparta was always conscious that the Spartan birth rate declined. The exact reasons for this are not known. It may be citizens were a result of the rigorous agoge system minority in their own land, and the fact they knew that the family was not as important for men as if their comrades in army were defeated or lost, the agoge <ref>Plutarch, Plutarch'shelots would rise and destroy Sparta. Morals (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1891), pThis 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. 113</ref>, Another reason for It could expand its influence across the diminution Greek world in the number aftermath of citizens was the fact that increasingly many defeat of Athens.<ref>Cartledge, Paul, Spartan citizens could no longer afford to pay their dues in Reflections (London, Duckworth, 2001), p.112</ref>  This new power disrupted Spartan society and over time undermined the agoge unique system as that society became increasingly divided between rich and poorhad allowed the Spartans to become the finest soldiers in Greece.<ref>Thucydides 5. The growing wealth of Sparta was concentrated in the hands of the few and this meant that fewer men could meet 6</ref> A little over thirty years after their victory over Athens, the financial demands of Spartans were defeated by a citizen<ref>Cartledge, 2002new rising power in Greece, pThebes. 123</ref>. This decline in The defeat at Leuctra was the first inflicted on the Spartan citizen meant that there were fewer soldiers over time to fight its wars. The sheer brilliance army. The Spartans lost control of much of their empire and no longer the Spartan hoplite meant that for many centuries even though their armies was getting smaller allowed them to overcome their enemies in battlegreatest power in Greece. Indeed they were something of a backwater and entered a period of profound decline. However, by they remained independent until the time of the battle of Leuctra the Spartan army was simply too small and Roman Empire's rise, which annexed it was defeated for in the first time in its history2nd century BCE. [====Decline in the number of Spartan Citizens====[[File: Battle of Thermopylae - pass.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Spartans at the Battle of Thermopoyle]]==The collapse in Spartan Values==Sparta was much admired in Greecea society that was based, according to many historians, on a caste system. The Greeks admired Spartan citizens were the harmony highest caste, and order produced by they dominated the Spartan Constitutionother groups in society. Indeed many Greeks wanted their polis to adopt a similar form of government The city-state system also influenced philosophers such as Plato other groups in Sparta included the helots and its influence can be seen in his great work the Republic. The Spartan system Pereoki; this was based on the idea that the collective came before the individuala group of freemen who were not citizens and were usually craftsmen and traders. The state demanded total obedience from the citizen whose service to the state came before, their family and personal wishes<ref>Plutarch, p. The 113</ref> Spartan warrior and indeed other citizens saw themselves as members of , a male or a female, had to be able to trace their ancestry back to the collective and this is best seen in the agoge systemoriginal Doric conquerors. The Spartan was expected to renounce personal wealth and gain and to use all their personal resources for the good They also could not be of the state and the citizen-bodyhelot extraction.<ref>Cartledge, 2001, p. 56</ref> Pausanias. Description of Greece. with an English Translation by WTo be a Spartan citizen, one had to undertake the Agoge's rigorous education.HOnly those who had completed their education in the Agoge was entitled to be a citizen.S Now there were some exceptions to this, including a helot or a foreigner who was adopted by a ‘Spartiate’ family. Jones (Boston<ref>Plutarch, Cambridge University Press, 1918), pp. 34569</ref>. The To be a citizen body was a band of equal all committed , the Spartan had to the defines and glory of Spartapay his way in the agoge. HoweverThat is, over time these values were eroded and Sparta came he had to contribute to resemble its turbulent and very individualistic neighborsthe running of the system supply his armor. This was Failure to pay their way meant that a long-term process and there were many reasons Spartan could be expelled from the Spartan student body. The criteria for the decline in the traditional a Spartan values, that underpinned its political systemcitizen was very high. However, While the Peloponnesian War accelerated this trend system ensured that the Spartans were dedicated and well-trained warriors, it also led to problems replacing those who died in battle.<ref> ThucydidesCartledge, 2002, p. 6. 7118</ref>  The population of Sparta was never very high. The booty from Even at its peak in the war led to a growing divide between 6th century BCE, the number of Spartan citizenswas approximately 9000. A wealthy class This is known from the size of citizen emerged rich from booty and payments from Sparta’s alliesthe Spartan army at the time. This meant that many citizens could no longer be members By the time of Leuctra's battle, the agoge system but that they were under size of the Spartan citizen population, once again based on the control size of a wealthy elite<ref>Cartledgetheir army, 2002was only 4, p000. 176</ref>The Spartan citizen body had been dwindling over time. It is also believed that  Even though the growing inequality in wealth also resulted in a falling birthSpartans had allowed some non-rate. Then Sparta was increasingly bedeviled by internal dissent and political citizens to enroll in-fighting. This was because many Spartans had experience the citizen body at various times of crisis, the Spartan leadership outside had long been very nervous about the city-state and they were no longer willingdecline in the citizen numbers, especially as the helot population continued to obey the old elitegrow. Spartan generals such as Lysander began to seek personal power and this led to growing instability, in a political entity The exact reasons for this decline are not known. It is believed that over time that seemed so fixed the Spartan birth rate declined. The precise reasons for this are not known. It may result from the rigorous agoge system and stable, through the centuries. Before fact that the fateful battle of Leuctra, Sparta family was no longer not as unified important for men as it once was and this was a factor their comrades in its declinethe agoge.<ref>Plutarch, Plutarch's. Morals (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1891), p. 113</ref> ==Conservatism==The Spartan system and Another reason for the diminution in the entire society number of citizens was built around one aim and that was increasingly many Spartan citizens could no longer afford to maintain the existing order. They sought to preserve pay their ascendancy over dues in the helot population agoge system as that society became increasingly divided between rich and their leadership poor. Sparta's growing wealth was concentrated in the hands of the Geek world. It was a society few, which meant that distrusted change and believed that it was destabilizingfewer men could meet the financial demands of a citizen.<ref>Cartledge, 2002, p. Sparta’ Constitution was handed down from generation to generation and it was not altered or changed123</ref> This decline in the Spartan citizen meant fewer soldiers overtime to fight its wars. The system or society sheer brilliance of the Spartan hoplite meant that was sanctioned even though their armies were getting smaller for many centuries, they could overcome their enemies in battle. However, by the constitution did not change either. The Spartans were notoriously conservative and they refused to countenance changetime of Leuctra's battle, unlike the rest of Greece who Spartan army was constantly changingjust too small, especially the Atheniansand it was defeated for the first time in its history.  <dh-ad/> ====The conservatism of the Spartans was often a strength but also a weaknesscollapse in Spartan Values====Sparta was much admired in Greece. The state or society did not change Greeks admired the harmony and adapt to new social, political and military realitiesorder produced by the Spartan Constitution. Sparta was unable Indeed many Greeks wanted their polis to change- this meant that it was inflexible adopt a similar form of government. The city-state system also influenced philosophers such as Plato, and many even at the time saw it as a society that was petrifying <ref>Forrestits influence can be seen in his great work, Wthe Republic.G., A History of Sparta, 950–192 BThe Spartan system was based on the idea that the collective came before the individual.C., New York: W. W. Norton & C, 1968), p. 113</ref>The state demanded total obedience from the citizen whose service to the state came before their family and personal wishes. The Spartans did not change their military tactics Spartan warrior and still used the traditional tactics even when indeed other states in Greece, such citizens saw themselves as Thebes were updating members of the phalanx formation. Then the Spartans could not change even when the citizen body went into a precipitous declinecollective, there was no meaningful effort to reform which is best seen in the agoge system. The society seemed incapable of dealing with many of Spartans were expected to renounce personal wealth and gain and use all their personal resources for the problems that it faced in state's good and the wake of its victory in the Peloponnesian Warcitizen body.<ref>Forrest, pPausanias. 145</ref>Description of Greece.[[File: Therm2007With an English Translation by W.H.S.jpg|thumbnail|200px| Recreation of Greek Hoplite]]Jones (Boston, Cambridge University Press, 1918), p. 345</ref> ==Conclusion==Spartan The citizen body was the victor a band of equal all committed to the Peloponnesian War defines and by 400 BCE it was the greatest power in the Greek world and a major player in the eastern Mediterraneanglory of Sparta. However, by 377 BCE the Spartans had been defeated in battle for the first time over time these values were eroded, and Sparta came to resemble its turbulent and it lost the leadership of Greece. The decline in Spartan power very individualistic neighbors. This was due to militarya long-term process, social and cultural factors there were many reasons for the decline in the traditional Spartan values that allowed other states to challenge underpinned its preeminent position in political system. However, the Greek worldPeloponnesian War accelerated this trend. Among the longer-term trends that undermine Sparta was <ref>Thucydides. 6. 7</ref> The booty from the decline in war led to a growing divide between the numbers Spartan citizens. A wealthy class of citizens emerged rich from booty and since they formed the backbone of the army, this greatly weakened Spartan powerpayments from Sparta’s allies. The premium placed on stability and order This meant that the Spartans distrusted change and this conservatism meant that Sparta many citizens could not change to meet no longer be members of the challenges that it agoge system but were under the control of a wealthy elite.<ref>Cartledge, 2002, p. 176</ref>  It is also believed that the growing inequality in wealth also resulted in a falling birth-rate. Then Sparta was increasingly bedeviled by internal dissent and political in-fighting. This was because many Spartans had leadership experience outside the city-state and were no longer willing to obey the old elite. Spartan generals such as Lysander began to seek personal power, which led to growing instability in a political entity that seemed so fixed and stable through the centuries. Before the fateful battle of Leuctra, Sparta was no longer as unified as it once was, and this was a factor in its decline. ====Conservatism====[[File: Therm2007.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 existing order. They sought to preserve their ascendancy over the helot population and their leadership of the Geek world. 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. Then the Peloponnesian War produced tensions in society and the increasing wealth as a result of war-booty, created growing inequality between the citizens.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==