LaconiaLaconia or Lakonia (Greek: Λακωνία, Lakonía, ) is a historical and administrative region of Greece located on the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Since 2011, it has been administered as a regional unit, with Sparta as its capital. The word laconic—meaning, "spoken in a blunt, concise way"—is probably derived from the name of this region, a reference to the ancient Spartans who were renowned for their verbal austerity and blunt, often pithy remarks.
Ancient GreeceAncient Greece (Ancient Greek: Ἑλλάς, romanized: Hellás) was an ancient civilization existing from the Greek Dark Ages of the 12th–9th centuries BC to the end of classical antiquity (c. 600 AD), comprising a loose collection of culturally and linguistically related city-states and regions, primarily centered in the northeastern area of the . Prior to the Roman period, most of this area was officially unified only once, from 338 to 323 BC under the Kingdom of Macedon.
PeloponneseThe Peloponnese, Peloponnesus, or Morea, is a peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece, and the southernmost region of the Balkans. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmus of Corinth land bridge, which separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf. From the late Middle Ages until the 19th century, the peninsula was known as the Morea, a name still in colloquial use in its demotic form.
Evrotas ValleyThe Evrotas Valley is an 82 km elongated valley between Taygetus and Parnon which traverses Laconia, Greece. Homer called the valley Kili Lakedemon, while Sparta, Mystras and Gytheio are the main cities within the valley. It is one of the largest valleys in Greece. The valley is predominantly an agricultural region that contains many citrus groves, olive groves, and pasture lands.
Classical AthensBBC HistoryAthens (Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, Athênai), was a prominent polis (city-state) of ancient Greece, located in the peninsula of Attica. Athenian democracy was established in 508 BC and remained in place for almost two centuries except for a few brief interruptions.
Evrotas (river)The Evrotas (Modern Greek: Ευρώτας) or Eurotas (Ancient Greek: Εὐρώτας) is the main river of Laconia and one of the major rivers of the Peloponnese, in Greece. The river's springs are located just northwest of the border between Laconia and Arcadia, at Skortsinos. The river is also fed by underwater springs at Pellana and by tributaries coursing down from Mt Taygetos and Mt Parnon, which flank the Evrotas Valley to the west and east respectively.
Peloponnesian LeagueThe Peloponnesian League () was an alliance of ancient Greekcity-states, dominated by Sparta and centred on the Peloponnese, which lasted from c. 550 to 366 BC. It is known mainly for being one of the two rivals in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), against the Delian League, which was dominated by Athens.
HegemonyPolitical, economic or military predominance of one state over other statesAncient Greece under the hegemony of Macedon: the kingdom of Macedonia (red) and the Hellenic league (yellow), 337-336 BCAncient Greece under the Theban hegemony, 371–362 BCIn geopolitics, hegemony ( , UK also , US also ) is the political, economic and military predominance of one state over other states, either regional or global.
Battle of LeuctraBelligerentsThebesBoeotian LeagueSpartaPeloponnesian alliesCommanders and leadersEpaminondasPelopidasCleombrotus I†Strength 7,000 hoplites700 cavalry 10,000 hoplites1,000 cavalryCasualties and losses 47–300 1,000–4,000+The Battle of Leuctra (Ancient Greek: Λεῦκτρα, Ancient Greek:) was fought on 6 July 371 BC between the Boeotians led by the Thebans, and the Spartans along with their allies.
PolisA polis (pl.: poleis) was any Ancient Greekcity-state. The ancient word polis had socio-political connotations not possessed by modern usage. For example, Modern Greek πόλη (póli), "city", is located within a χώρα (chóra), "country", which is a πατρίδα (patrída) or "native land" for its citizens. In ancient Greece, the polis was the native land; there was no other. It had a constitution and demanded the supreme loyalty of its citizens.
Classical antiquityClassical antiquity, also known as the classical era, classical period, classical age, or simply antiquity, is the period of cultural European history between the 8th century BC and the 5th century AD, following the Greek Dark Ages and being succeeded by late antiquity. It comprises the interwoven civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, known together as the Greco-Roman world, which played a major role in shaping the culture of the Mediterranean basin.
Second Persian invasion of GreeceThe second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece. The invasion was a direct, if delayed, response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece (492–490 BC) at the Battle of Marathon, which ended Darius I's attempts to subjugate Greece. After Darius's death, his son Xerxes spent several years planning for the second invasion, mustering an enormous army and navy.
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