The ideal of Sparta - the devotion of citizens to a well-ordered state - became a legend which has survived for over 2,000 years. J. T. Hooker begins by describing the landscape, the cults and cult-places and the development of Sparta during the Bronze Age. Iron Age Sparta is then considered and her history is traced from the eighth to the fourth century B.C. Her rise to leadership of the Peloponnese, her intervention in the affairs of other Greek states, and her establishment of the Spartan Alliance take the story down to the end of the sixth century. The fifth century is overshadowed by Spartan participation in the Persian War, the deterioration of Spartan relations with Athens and the great war against Athens. In the early part of the fourth century Sparta gains, and later loses, supremacy in the Greek world. Background to the political events is given in chapters on life in the Spartan state, art, music and poetry, and there is an account of the growth and influence of the Spartan legend. -- Dust jacket.