The cunning reason the ancient city of Sparta did not have any walls

Sparta's social structure was fundamentally different from that of other Greek city-states.

Sweeping reforms attributed to a man called Lycurgus around the 7th century BC had changed the military and communal structure that defined Spartan society.  

The Spartiates, or full citizens, were a warrior class, raised from birth for the primary purpose of warfare.

The agoge, the rigorous education and training system they underwent, was designed to instill in them the values of endurance, self-sufficiency, and martial prowess.

In this societal context, the very notion of relying on walls for protection was anathema to the Spartan ethos.

They believed that a city was defended by its men, not by bricks or mortar.

The geography of the region also played a significant role in the lack of walls.

Sparta was located on the Eurotas River plain, surrounded by mountains and natural barriers.

The Taygetus and Parnon mountain ranges acted as natural fortifications, reducing the need for man-made defenses.

The topography itself lent a strategic advantage, allowing the Spartans to use the terrain to their benefit in any defensive maneuvers.

The Spartan military was the linchpin of its defense strategy. The hoplite phalanx, a formation of heavily armed foot soldiers, was the centerpiece of their forces.

Armed with 8-foot spears and circular shields, the hoplites were arranged in tightly packed ranks that were nearly impenetrable in frontal assaults.

The Spartans' reputation as skilled warriors was so widespread that the mere news of their approach often deterred potential aggressors.

Their military dominance was such that they were often seen as the leaders of the Greek forces, particularly during the Greco-Persian Wars.

The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, although a defeat, showcased the Spartan resolve and their ability to inflict significant casualties on a much larger force.

The political landscape of the time also influenced Sparta's decision to operate without walls.

During the Classical period, Sparta was frequently at war with its neighbors and other Greek city-states, most notably Athens during the Peloponnesian War.

The absence of walls was a bold statement of confidence and an open challenge to their adversaries.

It projected an image of strength and fearlessness, which was central to Spartan identity and diplomacy.

The Spartan military-centric approach had its drawbacks. As times changed and military technology evolved, the reliance on hoplite warfare became less effective.

The Macedonians under Philip II and his son Alexander the Great brought about a new era of warfare, one in which the phalanx was just a part of a more diverse and flexible military apparatus.

The Theban general Epaminondas also demonstrated the vulnerabilities of the Spartan system at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, where he used innovative tactics to defeat the Spartan army.

With their reputation of invincibility gone and facing other internal challenges, Sparta started to decline in power and influence over the next century.

While their approach served them well during the height of their power, more defeats and fears of further invasions finally forced their hand.

Archaeological evidence has found that Sparta eventually built walls around 184 BC.