Meanwhile the Athenian, the Corinthian, the Argive, the Theban, gave his chief attention to his oliveyard or his vineyard, his warehouse or his workshop, and took up his shield and spear only for short terms and at long intervals.

The difference therefore between a Lacedaemonian phalanx and any other phalanx was long as great as the difference between a regiment of the French household troops and a regiment of the London trainbands.

Lacedaemon consequently continued to be dominant in Greece till other states began to employ regular troops.

Then her supremacy was at an end.

She was great while she was a standing army among militias.