The Ancient Spartans

I have tried in this book to give an introduction to the most important aspects of Spartan life and history down to 371 B.c. A bibliography at the end of each chapter suggests further reading. I mention here, in addition, W.G. Forrest's well-known and excellent book A history of Sparta 950-192 BC (London 1968), of which a second edition is imminent. I am sorry that Paul Cartledge's book Sparta and Lakonia: a regional history c. 1300-362 B.c. (London 1979) appeared too late for me to make any of it.
I record my best thanks to my wife and also to Mr J. H. Betts, Dr H. W. Catting, Dr R.A. Higgins, Dr I. Kollias, and Dr G. Steinhauer. I am indebted to University College for giving me a travel grant in 1978. I thank the Committee of the Egypt Exploration Society for permission to refer to an unpublished papyrus.
Mrs Jean Bees, Mrs Brenda Timmins, and Mr Kenneth Wass made the drawings for me, and I am very grateful to them.
I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of photographs and permission to publish from the following persons and institutions: Archaeological Institute, Heidelberg (pl. 15); Bibliotheque nationale, Paris (pl. 13); Dr R.A. Higgins (pl. 26); the Managing Committee of the British School at Athens (pll. 41-5); Musee du Louvre (M. Chuzeville) (pll. 11 and 12);
Presses Universitaires de France (pll. 21and22); Rhodes Museum (pll. 18 and 19); Taranto Museum (pl. 10); the Trustees of the British Museum (pll. 16 and 17); Vatican Museum (pl. 14); Walter de Gruyter and Co., and German Archaeological Institute, Athens (pl. 28). University College, London September 1979