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Fight with soldiers in Greek city state (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparta

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'greek city state' is the definition.
'sparta' can be an answer for 'state' (I have seen 'Laconic state' mean 'sparta' so perhaps 'state' could also mean 'sparta'). I am unsure of the 'greek city' bit.

'fight with soldiers' is the wordplay.
'fight' becomes 'spar' (sparring is a kind of fighting).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'soldiers' becomes 'TA' (abbreviation for Territorial Army).
'spar'+'ta'='SPARTA'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sparta that I've seen before include "Ancient Greek city-state" , "Ancient Greek city state" , "Old Greek city state, famous for its citizens' austere lifestyle" , "A strap from an ancient Greek city?" , "Ancient Greek city noted for its austerity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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