Sparta continued on into the Middle Ages and, indeed, was never truly lost. Today, the modern-day city of Sparta stands near the ancient ruins, having a population of more than 35,000 people.

But the Greek city-states, Sparta included, lacked the technology to build sophisticated siege weapons, and the peninsula’s small populations — Sparta had around 40,000 inhabitants in 500 B.C ...

SPARTA -- Like many Southern Illinois towns, Sparta was built on the backs of the railroad and coal mines, and on that foundation the town has carved a unique history ...