1. An ancient Greek city famous for military prowess; the dominant city of the Peloponnesus prior to the 4th century BC.
2. City in Georgia (USA).
3. City in Illinois (USA); zip code 62286.
4. City in Kentucky (USA); zip code 41086.
5. City in Missouri (USA); zip code 65753.
6. City in Tennessee (USA).
7. City in Wisconsin (USA); zip code 54656.
8. Town in North Carolina (USA); zip code 28675.
9. Village in Michigan (USA); zip code 49345.
10. Village in Ohio (USA); zip code 43350.
Ancient Greek city-state in the S Peloponnese (near Sparte), developed from Dorian settlements in the 10th century BC. The Spartans, known for their military discipline and austerity, took part in the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars.
The Dorians formed the ruling race in Sparta, the original inhabitants being divided into perioeci (tributaries without political rights) and helots or serfs. The state was ruled by two hereditary kings, and under the constitution attributed to Lycurgus all citizens were trained for war from childhood. As a result, the Spartans became proverbial for their indifference to pain or death, their contempt for luxury and the arts, and their harsh treatment of the helots. They distinguished themselves in the Persian and Peloponnesian wars, but defeat by the Thebans in 371 BC marked the start of their decline. The ancient city was destroyed by the Visigoths in 396 AD.