Some remains of ancient Sparta are still visible today.
What happened to Sparta?
The decline of ancient Sparta began after its power was shattered by the Thebans and later the Romans, eventually dwindling into a minor settlement before being sacked by the Visigoths in 396 AD. Throughout the Middle Ages, the site sat largely abandoned as the remaining population sought refuge on the nearby, easily defensible cliffs of Mystras. It wasn't until 1834, following the Greek War of Independence, that King Otto refounded the modern city of Sparti—strikingly designed with a rigid grid directly over the heart of the ancient ruins.
While modern construction has significantly obscured the physical remnants of the past, a far more troubling chapter exists in the site's history. Beyond the natural passage of time, the legacy of ancient Sparta faced a different kind of threat from those tasked with its preservation.
Watch the Video
To learn the dark truth about what one "modern" archaeologist did to the precious remains of ancient Sparta, click the video below.