How many batteles did Sparta lose?

Answer 1

It varied over the centuries - there were early defeats which we don't hear of; after power and their military system was consolidated they lost few, including Hysiaeagainst Argos in 669 BCE, Tegea in 660 BCE ; thereafter it protected itself by forming the Peloponnesian League with other Dorian city-states such as Corinth, Megara, Tegea Elis etc. It had setbacks in Messenia 460 BCE and Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BCE, but by using the combined power given by the League it continued to win battles, including the 27-year war with Athens 431-404 BCE. After this, when at its peak, a falling military population exposed it to rising city-states, culminating in the loss to Thebes at Leuctra in 471 BCE. After this it did not regain power and avoided military confrontations.