the river plain surrounding Sparta itself, often used synonymously for the city or the Spartan state. The initial letter L (lambda), the Greek "L", was the shield blazon of the Spartan soldier.

Lacedaemon, or Lakedaimon, Grk. Λακεδαιμων or Λακεδαιμωνία in historical times was the proper name of the Spartan state as used by Thucydides in his histories.