BLUF

Ancient Spartans developed a grand strategy based on conquest but could not maintain this strategy in the long run

Summary

This article by Paul A. Rahe, writing in World History, notes the following:

  • Spartan grand strategy relied on warfare and conquest to create wealth.
  • Sparta depended on slaves (helots) who belonged to the city-state.
  • Conquered communities resented the Spartans and regularly rebelled.
  • Reluctantly the Spartans abandoned further expansion.
  • The Spartans repositioned themselves as defenders of the Greek way of life and defenders of freedom.
Learn more about Sparta's Grand Strategy.

References

Source Information: The Collector