Spartans: A New History chronicles the rise and fall of ancient Sparta, from its Bronze Age origins to the powerful Greek city-state's demise in Late Antiquity. Incorporating the latest archaeological evidence and scholarly research, Kennell's comprehensive historical account includes discussions of the Dorian invasion and Greek legend of the Return of the Heraclidae, the Spartan conquest of Messenia, and the origins of helot slavery. Also covered is Sparta's development as the foremost military power in Greece and its role in the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. Kennell punctuates the narrative with biographical sketches of important figures in Spartan history. Primarily focused on the Archaic and Classical periods, the book also surveys Spartan history during the Hellenistic and Roman ages, when Spartans crafted an image of their city as an unaltered relic from its earlier glory days. Spartans: A New History challenges preconceptions about Spartan history and represents an important source on the most significant issues in Sparta scholarship today.