When we hear the word Sparta, our mind mainly goes to the "300" of Leonidas, their self-sacrifice, and their heroic death for homeland and freedom. However, the peak of Sparta was based on a unique "ἀμίμητον" constitution (as Plutarch described it), invented by the greatest legislator of all time, Lycurgus!

According to Pausanias, the first king in Laconia was Lelex and his subjects were called Leleges [“G’ Laconica”, 1.1-5 and Euripides, “Orestes” 626 and Apollodorus G.Ch.3]. Lelex’s grandson, Eurotas, had no male children and left his son-in-law, Lacedaemon (who married Eurotas’ daughter, Sparta), as his successor. From Lacedaemon and Sparta was born Amyclas, who was considered the ancestor of the Achaean kings of Lacedaemon. Amyclas’ son with his wife Diomede was the "most beautiful" Hyacinthus, whom the god Apollo loved but accidentally killed with a discus. In honor of this Achaean prince, games and festivals called the "Hyacinthia" were established. These were celebrations in honor of the Achaean prince, which were also preserved by the Dorians when they invaded and gradually prevailed in Lacedaemon.