With the settling of the Dorians in the region (1100 BC), Sparta
became the center of the new colonists.
New institutions and distinctions were created for the
inhabitants.
Up till the time of Alexander Sparta and Athens were the most
powerful city-states in Greece.
In 146 BC, Sparta was subdued by the Romans.
During the Byzantine era, Laconia was a province of the theme of
the Peloponnese and suffered numerous attacks by barbarians.
In the 13th century, it fell to the Franks only to return in
1262 to the Byzantines who made their headquarters at Mistra.
Two centuries later (1460) the Turks marched against Laconia and
finally conquered the district in the mid 17th century.
The region of the Mani always retained some degree of autonomy
and privilege.
The area was liberated in 1828.
|
