What reputation did the city-state of Sparta have among other Greeks?

Sparta, known for its unique social system and strong military ethos, had a reputation among other Greek city-states as a powerful militaristic and disciplined society. Spartans devoted their lives to military service, with an emphasis on austerity, resilience, and combat readiness. The Spartan upbringing, known as the agoge, was rigorous and focused on creating soldiers with unwavering loyalty and exceptional physical and mental strength. Other Greeks perceived Sparta as a formidable military force that prioritized its army and the art of war over cultural and intellectual pursuits like those that flourished in Athens.

The Spartan reputation was also that of a highly conservative and closed society, often shunning the luxuries, art, and philosophy that characterized other parts of Greece, especially during the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. Internally, Spartans valued equality among their citizen soldiers, obedience to their laws, and simplicity of living. Externally, their neighbors respected them for their military prowess while sometimes distrusting or fearing them for their expansionist tendencies and the harsh treatment of their helot population, which were the agricultural serfs that underpinned Spartiate society.