More questions on Sparta

I have heard the the Spartans literally through babies off clifts and elders decided which children where to live or die. Which has peaked my interest of this brutallity.

How were the children raised in Sparta?

Who was Lyeurgus? and Who was Leonidas? I think Lyeurgus might be some mythical philosopher.

How would you describe "Classical Sparta"? My first thought is burtality, but was Sparta really different than any other society in Europe at that time. However in the movie Troy they show the king of Troy as a peaceful man who loved his country and family, which they depict Spartans of lacking those feelings.