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All from sources:Laconic: an adjective that describes a style of speaking or writing that uses only a few words, often to express complex thoughts and ideas.It is named after Laconia, the region of Greece including the city of Sparta, whose ancient inhabitants had a reputation for verbal austerity and were famous for their blunt and often pithy remarks.One prominent example involves Philip II of Macedon, who after invading southern Greece and receiving the submission of other key city-states, sent a message to Sparta:
You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.
The Spartan leaders replied with a single word:
IfPhilip is also recorded as approaching Sparta on another occasion and asking whether he should come as friend or foe; the reply was "Neither"
When he was asked why he had come to fight such a huge host with so few men (300 Spartans), King Leonidas replied, "I have plenty, since they are all to be slain."
