It is the 8th century BCE. Sparta is an ordinary Greek city-state. According to ancient tradition, Lycurgus became the King of Sparta. However, he abdicated shortly afterwards when he discovered that his deceased brother's wife was pregnant. He became the regent and legendary lawgiver.

He introduced the Spartan constitution, communal living, military doctrine, and the famous “Agoge” system, under which boys were trained from a young age to become warriors. Wealth and luxury were frowned upon, while discipline and sacrifice became sacred virtues. Thus, he set in motion the system that transformed Sparta into a great city-state in ancient Greece.

The most glorious victory achieved by Sparta was in 480 BCE at the Battle of Thermopylae. King Leonidas I and his 300 Spartan warriors resisted Persia against all odds, achieving legendary status. Their bravery has been honoured by the famous Hollywood movie, “300”, released on 9th March 2006.

However, in history, competition is the ruling mantra, from the earliest times to the present day. Athens began to gain power in the late 6th century BCE through democratic reforms, achieving peak military and cultural dominance in the 5th century BCE as the leader of the Delian League. It continued to become powerful, threatening Sparta, which was the established power.

Finally, this tension resulted in the Peloponnesian Wars, 431–404 BCE. Sparta defeated Athens, but grew weakened, and its demise started.

Thucydides (c. 460 – c. 400 BC) was an Athenian historian and general. His “History of the Peloponnesian War” recounts the wars until the year 411........

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