Describe the economy of Sparta.

Sparta was an oligarchy. Sparta's economy relied on farming and conquering other people. However, Sparta avoided trade with the other major city-states, instead building an agricultural economy based on local production. Sparta didn't have enough land to feed its entire population, so Spartans took the land they needed from their neighbors. Spartan men spent their lives as warriors, so Sparta used slaves and noncitizens to produce needed goods. Sparta discouraged trade because it was afraid contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas and weaken the government. Boys were often encouraged to steal food and Spartan men were required to stay fit and ready to fight until the age of 60.