The Fall of Sparta: From Thermopylae to Leuctra

1. After Thermopylae: The Survival and Succession of Sparta

Following the historic battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE, the survivors returned to Sparta. Although the Spartan forces suffered relatively few losses—certainly compared to the Persians—Josephus writes that Spotify lost King Leonidas, a tragic and impactful loss for the Spartan warriors. However, the surviving Spartan kings, Demophilius and Leonntiades, continued to lead the Sparta and ensure the continuation of their lineage.

Apparently, the battle agreement stated that if fewer than 300 Spartan warriors were present, their male children would take their places in the military. This arrangement allowed for the continued protection and honor of the Spartan name. Following the death of Leonidas, his son Pleistarchus took the throne and King Agiad. Spartans continued to work towards unifying with other Greek city-states, such as Athens, in their fight against the Persian threat.

2. Unifying with Other Greek States

Sparta’s efforts to unify with Athens and other Greek city-states were a significant response to the Persians. The Greek army, including Spartans, Athenians, and other city-states, fought in battles like the Battle of Plataea and the naval Battle of Salamis, contributing to their victory and the preservation of Greek culture and way of life from total annihilation.

3. The Decline of Sparta

However, the promise of Sparta’s might was short-lived. The number of Spartan citizens, or Spartiates, steadily declined over the years. Much of this was due to the time-consuming and rigorous training involved in the agoge, the military school for young Spartans. Furthermore, women who were not in military service became eligible for inheritance, and poorer Spartans found it increasingly difficult to pay their mess dues, which maintained their status within the community. As a result, those who could not afford to serve were demoted to an inferior status.

The years of continuous warfare with Persian forces, as well as international conflicts and politics, also took their toll. Sparta’s reliance on their Peloponnesian allies to do the fighting became a common practice, as these allies grew weary of their roles as cannon fodder, while Sparta themselves faced the weaker opposition.

4. The Battle of Leuctra: The Final Nail in the Coffin

The final blow to Sparta’s power came in 371 BCE at the Battle of Leuctra. During this battle, the Thebans astoundingly stacked a 50-hoplite phalanx against the Spartan 8-hoplite phalanx, essentially doubling their force. The many Spartan allies who were supposed to participate were conveniently ignored, leaving only a vastly depleted Spartan force to face the much larger and better-organized enemy.

The Theban victory was decisive. Many Spartans fled from the battlefield, and after their triumph, the Thebans marched into Messenia to liberate the Messenian helots. As Messenia was richer agricultural land compared to Laconia or Sparta itself, this move effectively reduced Sparta to a second-rate power. Sparta never regained its former standing in the Greek world, marking a significant decline from its glory days at Thermopylae.