This study book presents the history of Sparta from its beginnings to its incorporation into the Roman Empire. It demonstrates how political and social conditions changed over time, overcoming traditional notions of a stagnant "cosmos." The examination of the post-classical periods yields important insights into the formation of the myth of Sparta, which served various political purposes from antiquity to the 20th century. Using Sparta as a case study, it clarifies how a Greek polis secured its existence between the Hellenistic empires and the impact of its integration into the Roman Empire on political and cultural life. The inclusion of key sources and detailed, updated literature references makes this study book an important working resource.