Andrew Bayliss Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower

Sparta and its legendary warriors with their mythic code of honour and steadfast resilience are famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. Their torch has been carried by footballers and politicians, video games and philosophers alike. But who really were the Spartans? And what was the driving force behind the rise - and dramatic fall - of Sparta? The Associate Professor in Greek history at the University of Birmingham traces the story of Ancient Greece’s most iconic city-state and its legacy that is still shaping popular culture and politics today.

Talking to Tim Hubbard