Sparta

Thanks to the Internet, computer games and cinema, Sparta is perhaps the most famous ancient state. It’s state system was something similar to communism. Equality was maintained among citizens, and the build-up of wealth among individuals was suppressed. Since childhood the Spartans studied military art and played sports. Military discipline became their visiting card and eventually became the rule of any army in the world.

Slaves or non-citizens of Sparta who lived on its territory were engaged in farming and handicrafts. Lands owned by Sparta can be seen on the following map.


The state existed for a long time, from the XI century BC until 146 BC, when it was conquered by the Roman Empire. The most famous battle where Tsar Leonid I and his  300 Spartans fought against the troops of the Persian king Xerxes, happened in a completely different place and described in other article.

The capital of the state, which was called the Lacedaemon, can be visited even now, however, unlike other ancient cities, there is not much left and this is not a tourist place. It is more a park with olive trees than ruins. Admission is free (2018).




















There is a small museum with archaeological finds in the center of modern Sparta, founded in 1834. Find here opening hours and ticket price.

Getting there: you can park right in front of the entrance N 37 04.821 E 22 25.628. By bus from the Kifissos bus station in Athens (schedule), through Tripoli (Tripoli). Travel time about 5 hours, the ticket price is 23 euros.