Sparta

American  

[spahr-tuh] / ˈspɑr tə /

noun

1. an ancient city in S Greece: the capital of Laconia and the chief city of the Peloponnesus, at one time the dominant city of Greece: famous for strict discipline and training of soldiers.

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Sparta British  

/ ˈspɑːtə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek city in the S Peloponnese, famous for the discipline and military prowess of its citizens and for their austere way of life

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Sparta Cultural  

1. An ancient Greek city-state and rival of Athens (see also 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.

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Discover More

The term Spartan is used to describe conditions that are low on luxury and designed to produce discipline.

Example Sentences

That makes complete self-sufficiency -- an idea Netanyahu previously invoked when he said Israel should become more like "Sparta" -- unrealistic for now.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Control of that waterway figured prominently in the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens, World War I and Russia’s current war against Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

A bad outcome for this weekend’s meeting would be marked by collapsed talks over the Lebanon issue or over shipping disputes, said Neil Crosby, head of oil research at Sparta Commodities, in an email.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

“The market is caught between the largest supply disruption in modern history and growing de-escalation rhetoric from Washington,” said Neil Crosby, associate vice president of oil analytics at Sparta Commodities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“Why, if this were Sparta, Percy would be a man today!”

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan