History of Sparta

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Melos and Gortyn from Lakonia.
The city of Sparta was truly founded as a polis (Greek city state) around the year 850 BC (Give or take 50 years). The four towns that made up the area united into one, and it was called Sparta, or Lakedaemon. The small state of Sparta grew until the first Messenian War in 736 BC. In this war, Sparta conquered the state of Messenia. The people of Messenia received the same treatment as the conquered people of Lakonia; enslavement of a kind. They were made into helots, which was a slave with privelages. One must remember that in Ancient Greece slaves did not have it so terrible. They lived the lives of poor Greek citizens, so they made up much of the local population. Many slaves were well liked and honored, yet the Messenians hated their Spartan masters, and they would not live under Spartan rule without more blood to spill.
The competing city state of Argos itself was hostile to Sparta. It eventually led to war with Sparta, and the Argive army ...

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became a powerful military force to be reckoned with. Young boys were bred to be tough as well as Spartan women. In the winter, Spartan boys were only allowed to wear one layer of clothing. Spartan women wrestled and took part in sports. The culture of Sparta changed from normal Archaic Greek to military and athletic. Elders judged whether Spartan babies were strong or weak enough to live. If they were judged too weak, they were hurled into a gorge or left to die in a hillside. Life was made tough for the Spartan citizens (Spartiates) so they could forever control the Messenians. Even alcohol was banned to the Spartans, but the helots were allowed to drink.
Argos and Sparta again went ...

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