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Sparta

capital of Laconia in ancient Greece, famed for the severity of its social order, the frugality of its people, the valor of its arms, and the brevity of its speech. Also for dirty boys, men vain of their long hair, boxing girls, clumsy iron money, and unpalatable black broth.

The name is said to be from Greek sparte "cord made from spartos," a type of broom plant, a word modern etymology traces to a suffixed form of PIE root *sper- (2) "to turn, twist" (see spiral (adj.)). If so, perhaps the reference is to the cords laid as foundation markers for the city, but the story could be folk etymology.

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Trends of Sparta

updated on April 13, 2023

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