THIS IS SPARTA? Warriors in red cloaks battling against the odds at Thermopylae is the image usually associated with Sparta. But a richer and more contentious tale lies in the ancient city's stones.

HISTORY of Sparta, Extinct city; ANCIENT cities & towns; BATTLE of Thermopylae, Greece, 480 B.C.; LEONIDAS, King of Sparta, d. 480 B.C.; GREEK antiquities; KINGS & rulers of Sparta

The article discusses brief historical and archaeological information about the ancient city of Sparta in Greece. Topics explored include the commemoration of the Battle of Thermopylae led by King Leonidas of Sparta, the condition of the archaeological remains in Sparta such as the temple of Athena Chalkioikos, and the significant travels of antiquarian Michel Fourmont to the region.