From the legendary stand at Thermopylae and the fearsome warriors of 300, to the brutal training system and the enigmatic helots, Sparta has fascinated people for over two thousand years. It's been held up as a model of discipline, courage, and military excellence — and sometimes as a cautionary tale of rigidity and decline.

Our guest today is Dr. Andrew Bayliss, Associate Professor in Greek History at the University of Birmingham and a leading expert on Sparta. In his latest book, Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower, he strips away centuries of legend, navigates the biases of ancient sources, and reveals the unique quirks — from its unusual double monarchy and powerful women to the constant shadow of helot revolts — that propelled Sparta's ascent and ultimately contributed to its fall.

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