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[[File: Leonidas I of Sparta.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|King Leonidas I Sparta]]

Sparta is one of the most famous states in the Classical era. It is often regarded as the epitome of the military-state that is devoted to war. The history of Sparta has fascinated intellectuals from Plato until today and inspired great leaders such as Frederick the Great and Napoleon. For the majority of the Classical period of Greece, it was the greatest power and had the most formidable army. To many, it seemed that Sparta was invincible and indeed its army had never been defeated in battle. However, in 371 BCE Sparta was defeated and this marked the beginning of the end of Spartan power and it gradually became a minor power. This decay occurred because Sparta's population declined, change in values and a stubborn preservation of conservatism. Overtime, Sparta lost its position as a preeminent Greek military power.