Module 6: Sparta Flashcards
Who was Herodotus
484-425BC, Greek Historian, author of The Histories, accounting the wars between Greece and Persia from early 5th century BC. Travelled for info orally.
Aristotle
384-322 BC, Greek philosopher and scientist; pupil of Plato. Writings form base of Western philosophy. He analyses the Spartan form of government and its strengths and weaknesses.
Plutarch
AD 46-120, Greek biographer. Travelled widely, visited Sparta. His Parallel Lives is a moral essay comparing the lives and noble deeds of famous Greeks and Romans.
Mount ranges of Sparta
East Parnon, Taygetos - act as fortification.
Materials of buildings
Early buildings were timber, stone was used for religious.
What plants were grown and cattle grazed
Wheat, barley, olives and grapes
Sheep and goats.
Info on the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia
East of Acropolis between village of Limnai and Eurotus. Religious centre to teach young men in Sparta - discipline to survive.
What’s the problem with Lycrugus to modern scholars
Can’t tell if he was a man or a set of initiatives that revolutionised Sparta.
Quote: Fitzhardinge - The Spartans, Thames and Hudson 1980
“He was probably a primitive local hod with a shrine by Eurostars who was adopted by the Spartan hoplites”.
What’s the Rhetra?
Declaration reflecting on oral tradition and law by Spartans based on oracles.
Significance of the Great Rhetra
It founded the spartan constitution appointing 2 instead of 1 king, limiting their power and establishing the Gerousia.
Kings role in religion
The descendants of Heracles and head priests.
Kings judicial roles
Lawmakers with Gerousia, maintained condition of roads and buildings.
Kings military role
Commander-in-chief of army, 100 guards plus 2 ephors, first to enter, last to leave - gets % of spoils
Kings privileges
First served [double] portions at banquet. First seated for religious festivals, can own personal cattle. 10 day no business and mourning if king dies.
Gerousia Council
28 elders over 30 plus 2 kings. Consult one another and propose laws.
Ekklesia
Assembly of spartiate citizens over 30, vote on laws - can resurrect or remove at any time.
Five ephors
Elected annually by assembly, monitor constitution of kings and Ekklesias power