The Spartans were the most feared military force in the Greek world, earning legendary status in their wars against Persia—but how they got so powerful is anything but pretty. From torturous ...

Nabis, the last king of Sparta, is often described as both a king and a tyrant, depending on the perspective and sources.

Little remains of the ancient city of Sparta, capital of the Laconia region, situated on the Peloponnesus peninsula in modern Greece, but the impact of its unique culture is impossible to ignore.

Sparta had a highly unusual system of government. Two kings ruled the city, but a 28-member 'council of elders' limited their powers. These men were recruited from the highest social class, the ...

In ancient times, Greece wasn't a single country like it is today. It was made up of lots of smaller states. These states were always squabbling and often went to war. Sparta and Athens fought a ...