The mighty city of Sparta was founded in 900 BCE. With him came one of the most powerful armies known today. They were known as one of the greatest military forces to ever exist. The Spartan army was one of the best of the time. The training they underwent was some of the toughest ever experienced. The weapons they used were made specifically for certain circumstances. The armor they wore was very well made and the best that could be made. Sparta had a unique culture. Even after their decline and fall, they left a legacy that will endure for generations to come. Sparta was different from any other Greek city-state in many ways, including its educational system. One of these factors was political. “Sparta refused to amend its constitution to include all male born citizens. Because of this, those who were looked down upon became very angry. The number of wealthy people in Sparta began to decline, and because of this, even the smallest defeat like that at Leuctra was enough to send Sparta into decline” (University of Florida, 2010). “Constitutional reform was something that had to happen, but it never happened. Another factor that played a role in the fall of Sparta was ideological. Their undying loyalty proved detrimental. Flexibility and change are historical necessities, while Sparta's refusal of revival stunted its growth and ultimately proved fatal. Discipline and obedience proved fatal in a time when revolutionary thinking and radical change were an unavoidable necessity in a world that was constantly changing and reshaping the present and future. The short-lived Spartan Empire (c. 400) exposed the Spartans to the outside world and forever changed the then-incorruptible Spartan psyche” (University of Florida, 2010). The final factor that played a role in Sparta's decline was the economy. The collapse of the traditional Spartan economic system in the late 5th century accelerated the decline. Corruption and greed, qualities almost unknown in traditional Spartan institutions, have entered the Spartan way. People feared and respected them at the same time. The training they had to undergo was incredibly tough and required a lot of strength and courage to complete. The equipment that the Spartan army used was top notch for the time period in which they lived. Each piece of equipment the Spartan warrior wore had a specific function and it took a lot of training to fully understand how to use them. Spartan culture was also interesting. They were a polytheistic religion and believed that their faith was more important and took precedence over battle. And finally, their decline is linked to many different factors, including political, ideological and economic. The Spartan army was one of the greatest military forces that ever existed, and it will be remembered for a long time.