Barbarians

In the context of ancient Sparta and Greece, "barbarians" referred to all non-Greek-speaking people. The term barbaroi originated as an onomatopoeic word mimicking foreign languages that sounded like "bar-bar" to Greek ears. Over time, it took on negative connotations, representing those deemed uncivilized, effeminate, or cowardly, essentially everything Greeks did not wish to be. For Spartans specifically, barbarians were seen as inferior enemies whose suffering was often dismissed unless it directly threatened Greek lands or interests.