said to be from Greek sparte "cord made from spartos," a type of broom. Perhaps the reference is to the cords laid as foundation markers for the city.
An ancient Greek city-state and rival of Athens. Sparta was known for its militaristic government and for its educational system designed to train children to be devoted citizens and brave soldiers. Sparta defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War.
Note: The term Spartan is used to describe conditions that are low on luxury and designed to produce discipline.
nomos (department) and historic region in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese, southern Greece. The present department of Laconia corresponds closely to the ancient province, which was bounded by Arcadia and Argolis on the north and Messenia in the west. Sparta, capital of the modern department, was once the capital of the ancient province