Sparta in ancient times was extremely powerful. Today it is a small town. According to the 2001 census, 16,726 people lived there. 
Interesting facts about Sparta.
1. Spartan girls went to school at the age of seven. Their school wasn’t as hard as the boys’, but they did athletics and exercise. It was important that the women stay in good shape so that they have strong sons who can fight for Sparta. 2. Young Spartans at the age of seven were taken from their homes to start living in the army. 3. Women from Sparta had more freedom and education than most of the Greek city-states of that time. 4. The Spartans lived in harsh conditions, without the luxury to make them tough warriors. 5. It is believed that Sparta was formed around the 9th century BC. Their power peaked in the 5th century BC, but Sparta quickly fell. In 272 BC Sparta was weak and under the control of other world powers. 6. After the Persian Wars, Sparta went to war with Athens in the Peloponnesian War. The two city-states fought from 431 BC. until 404 BC, and Sparta was eventually victorious over Athens. Sparta began to decline in the following years and lost the Battle of Leuctra with Thebes in 371 BC, but remained an independent city-state until Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire in 146 BC . 7. Spartans became soldiers at age 20, citizens at age 30, and retired at age 60. People trained hard to become warriors of the Spartan army. 8. Sparta had its own system of government, which was very different from other city-states. The government was divided between two kings, the Gerousia and the Congregation. 9. Spartans had to be in shape and ready to fight until the age of 60. 10. The Spartans were known for being fearless, strong and efficient warriors. It is a society born and built on military power and domination. The citizens of Athens feared and praised the strength and military power of the Spartans. 11. The term “Spartan” is often used to describe something simple or without convenience. 12. Most Spartan citizens were either perioci or citizens who paid taxes, served in the army and were protected by Spartan laws, or Iloks, people from the lands conquered and ruled by Sparta, who had no rights. 13. The Spartans considered themselves direct descendants of the Greek hero Hercules. 14. In military art, the Spartans were known for their Spartan shield. These shields were unique in that they had small holes in the sides through which spears could be hoarded. 15. Laconophilia is love or affection for Spartan and Spartan culture. Sparta was often admired. Long ago, many of the noblest and best Athenians believed that the Spartan state was a near-perfect theory put into practice. 16. The Spartans received the land that the helots cultivated for them. Helots were treated as items and had to give half of their crops to their Spartan master. 17. They were famous for the phalanx, which was used during the battle. The front row of soldiers combined their shields to form a wall of armor and shield. They moved at the same time on command. Then the second row used spears. 18. The Spartans were ruled by two kings who had equal power. There was also a council of five called the Ephors who guarded the kings. 19. Laws were created by a council of 30 elders, which included two kings. 20. Perhaps the most famous battle is the Battle of Thermopylae, which was a battle between Leonidas of Sparta and the Persian army of Xerxes I. During the second Persian invasion, the Persian army marched in the direction of Sparta. Leonidas and his Spartan army met the Persians at the pass of Thermopylae. The Spartans maintained their line of defense and were able to repel the Persians within two days. However, on the third day, the Spartans were betrayed by another Greek. This citizen informed Xerxes about the route around the pass.
