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Sparta (LACED MON dynasty of two kings)

or LACEDÆMON dynasty of two kings in Sparta. Apart from this legend it is accepted as a historical fact that the Spartans were the descendants of the Dorians who invaded the Peloponnesus about that period, and that from an early period they followed a set of rigorous laws which they ascribed to Lycurgus. Shortly after their settlement in the Peloponnesus it is probable that the Spartans extended their sway over all the territory of Laconia, a portion of the inhabitants of which they reduced to the condition of slaves. They also waged war with the Messenians, the Arcadians, and the Argives, against whom they were so successful that before the close of the 6th century B. C. they were recognized as the leading people in all Greece. Early in the following century began the Persian wars, in which a rivalry grew up between Athens and Sparta.

This rivalry led to the Peloponnesian war, in which Athens was humiliated and the old ascendency of Sparta regained. (See GRE gained. (See GREECE.) Soon after this the Spartans became involved in a war with Persia, and Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and some of the Peloponnesian states took this opportunity to declare war against them. This war, known as the Bœotian or Corinthian war, lasted eight years and increased the reputation and power of Athens. To break the alliance of Athens with Persia, Sparta, in 387 B. C., concluded with the latter power the peace known by the name of Antalcidas; and the designs of Sparta became apparent when she occupied, without provocation, the city of Thebes, and introduced an aristocratical constitution there. Pelopidas delivered Thebes, and the celebrated Theban war (378-363) followed, in which Sparta was much enfeebled. During the following century Sparta steadily declined, though one or two isolated attempts were made to restore its former greatness. The principal of these was made by Cleomenes (236-222), but his endeavors failed, because there were then scarcely 700 of Spartan descent, and the majority of these were in a state of beggary. With the rest of Greece Sparta latterly passed under the dominion of the Romans in 146 B. c. SPARTACUS the country) engaged in commerce, navigation, and manufactures. The distinguishing traits of the Spartans were severity, resolution, and perseverance, but they were also accounted faithless and crafty. When a child was born, if it proved vigorous and sound the state received it into the number of citizens, otherwise it was thrown into a cave on Mount Taygetus. They wore no outer garment except in bad weather, no shoes at any time, and they were obliged to make their beds of rushes from the Eurotas. The principal object of attention during the periods of boyhood and youth was physical education, which consisted in running, leaping, throwing the discus, wrestling, boxing, the chase, etc.

The Spartans were the only people of Greece who avowedly despised learning and excluded it from the education of youth. The education of the Spartan females was also different from that of the Greeks elsewhere. Instead of remaining at home, as in Athens, spinning, they danced in public, wrestled with each other, ran on the course, threw the discus, etc.