It was the year 467 BC when an enraged woman approached the door of the Temple of Athena Chalkioikos in Sparta and placed a brick with an inscription that read: Unworthy of being a Spartan, you are ...

Sparta had a highly unusual system of government. Two kings ruled the city, but a 28-member 'council of elders' limited their powers. These men were recruited from the highest social class, the ...