How Sparta destroyed itself

Sparta is remembered as the ultimate warrior society, but its real downfall came from inside its own system. This documentary explains how a tiny closed citizen class, helot labor, land concentration, rigid institutions, war wealth, and demographic collapse turned Sparta's strength into a trap. 00:00 The myth of Sparta 02:10 Why the citizen body was dangerously small 04:20 Helots, Perioikoi, and the social pyramid 07:30 Lycurgus, kings, ephors, and controlled politics 10:35 Mess halls, iron money, and the anti-trade system 13:55 Family life, women, land, and low citizen numbers 17:10 Victory over Athens brings money and luxury 20:20 Land concentration and the collapse of citizenship 22:20 The final lesson of Sparta