Spartan_Government

Sparta’s Government and Social Structure The Spartans engaged in primogeniture (women did not inherit, at first). The eldest son inherited everything and when Greece became overpopulated → the other sons would have to leave and settle in other countries. A constitutional crisis between the kings and the aristocracy results in the formation of the Gerousia to share the power. A 2nd constitutional crisis between the aristocrats and the ordinary Spartan people resulted in the creation of the Apella. The Spartan Government was a polity ❖ Diarchy – 2 kings ❖ Oligarchy – 2 kings + Gerousia (28 men ( 60 y.o.) ❖ Democracy – Euphors (5 men ( 30 y.o.) or Apella (all Spartiates ( 30 y.o.) Role and Privileges of the 2 Kings Sparta was a diarchy: one king came from the royal house of Eurypontids and the other from the royal house of Agiads. Although it may be argued that the Euphors were the supreme-arm of the government, the kings still had a number of roles and privileges. Xenophon tells us that militarily the kings were the supreme commanders of the army. However, only one king accompanied the army into battle to avoid divergence of opinion. They had the right to declare war and no Spartans could oppose their decisions. Xenophon once again mentions that the king had the power of life and death on the battle field. This can be seen in the Battle of Thermopylae where King Leonidas dismissed his 300 Spartans on the battlefield. However, if the campaign failed, such as at the Battle of Sphacteria, then the King could be recalled and punished. Plutarch makes note that the kings were both judges and law-givers and he similarly mentions that the kings had sole jurisdiction over the marriage of orphaned heiresses, roads and on the adoption of children. The kings exercised largely ceremonial powers. They were the priests of Zeus Lacedaemonias and Zeus Uranios and every month they offered sacrifices to Apollo on behalf of the city. Herodotus also tells us that kings sacrificed to Zeus and Athena before army campaigns and they allotted the skins of sacrificial animals during war. As well as being the first to sit down to dinner at ceremonies following sacrifice, the kings were also responsible for the safe keeping of the oracle. However the machinations of Spartan government were revealed when Cleomenes influenced the Delphic Oracle to pronounce Demaratus illegitimate. Socially, Xenophon asserts that kings had as many cattle as they wished, in all religious ceremonies they were given double portions and they were served first in the syssition. The kings received the skins of sacrificed animals and part of the spoils of war. At religious festivals the kings were given seats of honour; when they entered everyone stood, except for the euphors. Plutarch similarly mentions how all deformed Spartan babies were exposed on Mt. Taygetus, however though Agesilaus was born with a club-foot, he was allowed to live as he was royalty. Pleistonax mentions how kings could be deposed by the people. The Gerousia Formed the aristocratic elite and held the positions in perpetuity. Their main task was to draw up the agenda of the Apella and they had the right to impose penalties of loss of citizenship rights, death or exile. They formed the criminal court along with the Euphors and the kings and membership of the Gerousia was seen as the highest honour. Aristotle however criticises the Gerousia on the grounds that as members grew old, they became incapable of wise decisions. Plutarch states that they were voted in by acclamation, “senile”. The Euphors Euphors, meaning “overseer”, were the chief magistrates of Sparta. Ironically the Euphors were not mentioned in the Great Rhetra. Though superficially Spartan government appears to have been a polity, closer examination reveals the real power rested with the Euphors. Plutarch tells us that 2 Euphors always accompanied the king to war, and reported back on his behaviour. In this capacity they supervised the activities of the kings, decided which contingents went to war and issued instructions to generals. They were in charge of the agoge, had control of the krypteia and initiated all legislation. The Euphors summoned and presided over all meetings of both the Gerousia and the Apella as well as dealing with foreign embassies. Indeed, Plutarch tells us that “the institution of euhpors served to reinforce the constitution rather than weaken it, and even though it appeared to the people’s advantage, in fact it strengthened the aristocracy.” Xenophon called them “despotic monarchs.” Ultimately the pre-eminence of the Euphors can be seen though the argument between Archidamdis and Sthenelaidas, where King Archidamus argues that they should not go to war and Sthenelaidas argued vice versa. The Apella supported Sthenelaidas’ argument and they went to war. Similarly everyone stood when the kings entered religious festivals, except the euphors. The Euphors along with the Gerousia formed the criminal court and they tried all pereoci on criminal charges. Aristotle tells us of how the Euphors declared war on the helots as soon as they came into office. The Apella (ekklesia) Voted by the acclamation (Thucydides) but if they made an unwise decision the Gerousia or the Kings could change it. The Apella elected the euphors, the Gerousia and other magistrates. [pic] ----------------------- Sparta did not have to build protective walls because: • The topography of Laconia made access extremely difficult • Sparta relied on its invincible/military reputation to scare off invaders • Sparta formed alliances with Elis & Corinth (buffer system') Therefore, the Spartan city was not fortified. Machination of the government; Herodotus & Hammond THE GREAT RHETRA According to Herodotus, Lycurgus travelled to Delphi and through the Oracle of Apollo brought back Sparta’s laws. The Great Rhetra is thus a religious document. • It provided for the division of Sparta into 5 villages • It established the Gerousia and Apella • It provided the power of the Gerousia and kings to overturn the Apella’s decisions