https://www.iitutor.com Political system based on “Great Rhetra”; Mixed constitution, Assembly, Ephorate, Dual kingship, and Gerousia (group of 30 men). Social system, State ethos taught and maintained through: Agoge, Syssitia, and Hoplite training and service. Government: The Greek historian Polybius praised the Spartans for having a mixed constitution composed of the best elements: Kingship, Oligarchy, Democracy. Sparta has two kings. The dual kingship was one of the most ancient traditions in Sparta. Kingship was hereditary on Sparta. Aristotle described them as “hereditary generals”. A Spartan king was expected to fulfill many roles. He was chief priest. Commander in chief of the army, Judge, Lawgiver. There were five magistrates called Ephors. One from each “oba” or territorial region. It’s believed their establishment was due to Lycurgus. The ephors were elected. The ephors had significant power and exercised control over most aspects of Spartan life. They did the following: Were chief administrators and executives of the state. Advised the kings and kept a check on royal powers. Decided which unites would be mobilised in times of war. Called meetings of the Gerousia and the Ekklesia. It was a council of elders. It consisted of 28 members plus the two kings. It probably began early in Spartan history as an advisory group to the kings. It had considerable influence and prestige. Any Spartan male over the age of 60. But in practice those chosen came from a small circle of wealthy aristocratic families. Once chosen, a man held office for life. The general assembly of Spartan citizens had the right to vote on state matters but the Gerousia and the king could ignore the vote if it was not to their liking. It was the assembly attended by those, over the age of 30 who held full citizenship. They met monthly, probably at the time of the full moon. Elected ephors, elders of the gerousia and other magistrates. Was responsible for passing measures put before it such as appointments of military commanders. Voted by acclamation, it could not initiate legislation. Structure of Spartan society. By the 5th century, there were three distinct social classes in Sparta. Spartiates (homoioi: equals, peers), Periokoi (dwellers around), Helots (meaning people captured from the marshes). Serfs owned by the state. The main criteria for belonging to the citizen class or “homoioi” were: Ownership of a plot of public land. (kleros), Birth – a full Spartan had to be able to prove that he was descended from the earliest sons of Herakles or the conquerors. Membership in a military mess. Successful completion of education and military training requirements (agoge).

• published: 18 Dec 2015
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