Sparta (city-state)

Sparta was a Dorian Greek military state, originally centered in Laconia. As a city-state devoted to military training, Sparta possessed the most formidable army in the Greek world, and after achieving notable victories over the Athenian and Persian Empires, regarded itself as the natural protector of Greece.

Sparta fell to Athens in 413 BC, ending the Peloponnesian War. Subsequently, Sparta's might was added to Athens' for a planned war against Persia.