The book explores both the city-state of Sparta and the territory of Lakonia which it unified and exploited.

In the final three chapters, the religious traditions and practices of the islands are discussed, in terms of myths, cults and administration. This work will appeal to students of the classical world, archaeology, and cultural history.

This original and compelling account of later Spartan history challenges the conventional misperception of Spartan 'decline' after the loss of her status as a great power on the battlefield in 371 BC.

This original and compelling account of later Spartan history challenges the conventional misperception of Spartan 'decline' after the loss of her status as a great power on the battlefield in 371 BC.