The modern town of Sparta is not beautiful nor is it particularly ugly. It was largely re-established from scratch in the 19th century a few hundred meters south of the ancient city.

Modern-day ruins. Sparta continued on into the Middle Ages and, ... Today, the modern-day city of Sparta stands near the ancient ruins, having a population of more than 35,000 people.

Sparta won the Peloponnesian War, the 27-year-long conflict Athenian expansion brought on between 431-404 BCE, and the only event that finally dragged the Spartans into prolonged military action.