Laconia

Having spent an enjoyable holiday in Greece this summer, during which I visited the site of ancient Sparta, I feel I have to 
advise Lori Anderson (Perspective, 1 August) that Laconia (from which our word “laconic” derives) was not a “Greek island state” as she claims but part of the Peloponnese, itself part of the Greek mainland.

Robert Cairns

Harrietfield

Perth