SPARTA
Referred to as Lacedaemon by the Greeks, Sparta was located on a peninsular called Peloponnesus, south-west of Athens. It rose to power c. 650 BC, and remained in prominence long after its final defeat of Athens until a gradual downfall in the early middle ages.
The Greek city-state had an extremely military-focused governing system. It was ruled by two kings who were elected by the Spartan upper-class the Spartiates. These kings would remain in power until they died or were forced out by the 'Council of Elders' for failing to rule properly or major misconduct. Gerousia, as the Council was known, contained thirty 60-year-old Spartiate veterans who were believed to be wise and experienced by their years at war. Due to the amount of them compared to the two kings, the Gerousia substantially reduced the kings' power. In the Spartan government there was also an assembly of citizens, but they did not hold the same powers as the citizens in the Athenian democratic system.
During the 5th century BC, Sparta was in what was considered its prime. Spartan society was focused on producing brave and unyielding soldiers, and they recognized the female citizens as a vital part in this process. Spartan women had much more freedom compared to Athenian women, and were encouraged to exercise and speak out, as a strong and fit woman was more likely to produce healthy offspring. All male citizens were part of the army or served those in it, depending on social class. The Spartan army was among the best of its time, renowned for brutality and crushing battle techniques. The Spartan army quickly gained dominance in Greece and remained in control of the vast majority of the countries military, leading the Greek forces in important battles against foreign nations, such as during the Persian wars.
Sparta had three classes of citizens. The highest social class was the aristocratic Spartiates. Similar to medieval European knights, the Spartiates were a class of military professionals who lived in a communal barracks until they were 30. Their lands were farmed by slaves, and they rarely saw their wives and children, leaving them free to pursue the career which was expected of them- warfare.
The middle class was called the Perioeci. It was made up of farmers and artisans, and those who were the descendants of the cities the Spartans had conquered. The Perioeci paid taxes and could serve in the army, but they had no political rights. The bottom class and the most ill-treated was named the Helots. This was a class of slaves and those who resisted subjugation to Spartan rule. The Spartans also maintained a strict military social order due to the need to keep the Helots subdued. Rebellion in the lower classes was a real threat to Sparta. The Spartans attempted to control them by forming a troop of soldiers that annually murdered any helot suspected of encouraging subversion. They also created an Olympic-styled series of physical events featuring wrestling, swimming, discus and other physical challenges, with the winners promised freedom. In reality, they were taken away and killed, as the Spartans identified the victors to be possible figureheads for rebellion.
This treatment of the slave populace, harsh punishments and strictly enforced regulations with its own people, combined with the empowering and unforgiving force of the Spartan military, has given Sparta the reputation we know of today. Colloquial language often unknowingly refers to the ancient Spartans minimalistic ways when considering something to be 'spartan' in appearance. The Spartan legacy is still in military tactics and training processes, and is still largely studied in historical education departments.