Sparta (Doric Σπάρτα; Attic Σπάρτη Spartē) was a city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the River Eurotas in the southern part of the Peloponnese. From c. 650 BC it rose to become the dominant military power in the region and as such was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars. Sparta owed its military efficiency to its social structure, unique in ancient Greece. The Spartans formed a minority in their own territory of Lakonia; all male citizens of Sparta were full-time soldiers; unskilled labour was performed by a much larger, heavily subjugated slave population known as Helots (Gr., "captives"), while skilled labour was provided by another group, the Perioikoi (Gr. "those who live round about"). Helots were the majority inhabitants of Sparta (over 80% of the population according to Herodotus). They were ritually humiliated. During the Crypteia they could be legally killed by Spartan citizens. Between 431 and 404 BC Sparta was the principal enemy of Athens during the Peloponnesian War. By 362 BC Sparta's role as the dominant military power in Greece was over. Laconophilia is the admiration of Sparta, which continues to fascinate Western culture. Famous Ancient Spartans * Agis I—king * Agis II—king * Agesilaus II—king * Cleomenes I—king * Leonidas I (c. 520-480 BC)—king, famous for his actions at the Battle of Thermopylae * Cleomenes III—king and reformer * Lysander (5th-4th century BC)—general * Lycurgus (10th <b>...</b>