Did The Spartans Conform to Other Cultures?
In short, no. The Spartans were fiercly independent from the rest of Greece, both culturally, politcally, and militaristically. Culturally, Spartans were very different from people living in other parts of Greece, and sometimes unique in all of the classical world. Spartan women had by far more power, status, respect, and equality than the rest of the women in the world at the time. Also, Spartans got married extremely late in their lives (at around age 20), unlike the rest of the citizens of Greece. Traditionally, Ancient Grecian's lives revolved around their family, but it was the opposite in Sparta. Sparta was also the first known place in the classical world where people would excercise in the nude.
Politically, Sparta refused to be influenced by any other Greek powers. The entire Greco-Persian war was controlled by the Spartans, although soldiers from throughout Greece fought. The battle that ended the war was led by Spartan soldiers. Later on, when Phillip II created the league of Greeks to unite Greece, the Spartans refused to join, as they would not have been able to be in control.
Militaristically, Spartans were known throughout Europe and Asia Minor as an in
Politically, Sparta refused to be influenced by any other Greek powers. The entire Greco-Persian war was controlled by the Spartans, although soldiers from throughout Greece fought. The battle that ended the war was led by Spartan soldiers. Later on, when Phillip II created the league of Greeks to unite Greece, the Spartans refused to join, as they would not have been able to be in control.
Militaristically, Spartans were known throughout Europe and Asia Minor as an in
Why Did the Spartans Dissapear?
The Spartans dissapeared because they lost their right to politically govern themselves during the Punic Wars. They were forced to join an alliance, and by doing so, they lost their right to self-govern. Sparta became a tourist attraction for the wealthy, as their way of life (which they still held on to as much as possible) was considered quite an oddity. However, since they no longer could self-govern, Spartans eventually just became regular people of Greece, and their culture died out.