Greeks and Romans have always shown a constant interest for language and discourse,both as concerns the typical aspects of the construction of the communicative act,and the aspects that concern the production of this very communicative act and its reception: for example,speakers can opt either for the long-windedand articulated discourse or for the short and concise manner.This last choice would not be due to lack of oratorical skills.It is exactly the opposite,the selection of the communicative manner is always the result of a well-pondered decision.Several types of brevity flourished in the classical civilizations.This paper will focus on laconic brevity,a concise and learned style that could be sententious,at times enigmatic,but always extremely effective.In time,laconic brevity-an art in which the Spartans excelled,as if it were innate in their nature-generated admiration and emulation.Ancient evidence reveals much about the well-known and peculiar communicative ethos of the Spartans in their daily interactions.Undoubtedly,concise speech,often sententious and always powerful,is one of the cultural elements which all conjure up in creating an exemplar image of the Spartans,of all the Spartans,menandwomen,illustrious or insignificant.