Ancient palace discovery challenges the myth behind Sparta's rise to power

New historical research suggests that one of the most legendary cities in history did not start out as a conquering warrior state — poking a hole in its founding myth.

The study, which centered around Sparta, was recently published by historian Hans Beck in The Annual of the British School at Athens, Cover Media reported.

Sparta emerged in the 9th century B.C. and dominated much of the Peloponnese between roughly 700 and 371 B.C.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS EXCAVATE ANCIENT WORKSHOP WITH...