Political Structure of Sparta

Question 1

What were the two differing dynasties that ruled Sparta?

Answer 1

The Agiad and the Eurypontid

Question 2

What does Aristotle say about Spartan kings?

Answer 2

Aristotle, Politics 1285a: when a king is commander outside of Sparta “this kingship is like a permanent generalship of men with absolute power.”

Question 3

What does Plutarch say about the kings?

Answer 3

Plutarch, Lycurgus 6: Kings were members of the gerousia

Question 4

What does Herodotus say about the Spartan kings and their sons?

Answer 4

Herodotus, Histories 7.3: claims that only the son of a king born after he had become king could succeed the kingship.

Question 5

What privilege did kings have in the assembly?

Answer 5

Probouleusis, which came with being a member of the Gerousia.

This meant that they could decide what the Assembly could discuss.

Kings could also veto actions taken by the Assembly.

Question 6

What does Herodotus say about the Religious privilege kings have?

Answer 6

• Both kings hold priesthoods

Question 7

What does Herodotus say about the Military privileges kings have?

Answer 7

• Can wage war outside of the council
• The kings are first to advance with the army and last in the retreat
• 100 men should guard them in their campaigns.

Question 8

What happens if a King is slain in war?

Answer 8

Spartans are in mourning for 10 days after the burial. They cannot meet in the market.

Question 9

What does Herodotus say about the Constitutional privileges kings have?

Answer 9

• A man can adopt a son in the presence of the kings.
• If the two kings aren’t in the Gerousia, the elder who is nearest of kin can decide the king’s votes, giving two votes over and above their own.

Question 10

What does Herodotus say about the Judicial privilege kings have?

Answer 10

• The kings are magistrates in court.

Question 11

What does Herodotus say about the Other privileges kings have?

Answer 11

• When a king dies, the helots and (every) Spartan must assemble and smile, saying that the king who had died was the best of all their kings, if not they are given a heavy fine.
• When one king dies and the other takes office, the successor releases any debt that a Spartan owed to the king/commonwealth.

Question 12

What is the Gerousia?

Answer 12

A council of elders in Sparta who prepared business to be submitted to the Assembly.

They were the only Spartan court that could pronounce a sentence of death or exile.

Question 13

Who made up the Gerousia?

Answer 13

28 elders and 2 kings

Question 14

How were the members of the Gerousia decided?

Answer 14

They are chosen for life by the Spartan citizens from candidates who are 60+

Question 15

What does Plutarch say about the establishment of the Gerousia?

Answer 15

Plutarch, Lycurgus 6: Lycurgus “established a senate of 30 members… but the people must have the deciding voice and power.”

Question 16

What does Plutarch say about replacing members of the Gerousia?

Answer 16

Plutarch, Lycurgus 26: “vacancy caused by death should be filled by the man elected as most deserving out of those above 60”

Question 17

What does Diodorus say about the power of the Gerousia?

Answer 17

Diodorus 11.50: “and since the Gerousia was already in session to discuss it, no one expected that anyone would dare to make a different recommendation”

Question 18

What is the Assembly and what do they do?

Answer 18

A council that decided on any changes to the law, elect Gerousia members and ephors and appoint military commanders.

Question 19

What is the significant thing that the Assembly voted on?

Answer 19

They decided on whether to go to war in 432 BC. This is despite Herodotus’ statement that the kings could only make that decision.

Question 20

What could the Assembly NOT do?

Answer 20

• They were not able to initiate proposals (that was done by the ephors or Gerousia)
• They couldn’t debate in the Assembly, they could only vote via shouting.

Question 21

Who made up the Assembly?

Answer 21

The Assembly consisted of all male citizens over the age of 20.

Question 22

Who are the Ephors?

Answer 22

The highest Spartan magistrates introduced by King Theopompus. There are only 5 of them.

Question 23

How could you become an ephor?

Answer 23

Every adult male citizen was eligible for election ever year.

Question 24

What could ephors do?

Answer 24

They could charge the Kings with crimes, but only with the support of the Gerousia.

Question 25

What does Plutarch say about the ephors?

Answer 25

Plutarch: Ephors are a check on the kings and the Gerousia

Question 26

What does Plutarch say that Aristotle say?

Answer 26

Plutarch, Lycurgus 28: “Aristotle most certainly says that the ephors, whenever they first enter office, declare war on the helots..”

Question 27

What does Aristotle say about the ephors and their power?

Answer 27

Aristotle: “so great and tyrannical is their power that even the kings are compelled to court them”

Question 28

What does Xenophon say about the Ephors?

Answer 28

Xenophon: there were 5 ephors every year from any full Spartiate over 30 years old.