Sparta- Key Terminology

Question 1

What was the council of 28 elders?

Answer 1

Gerosia

Question 2

Who was at the top of the Spartan hierarchy?

Answer 2

2 Kings

Question 3

What were the Ephori?

Answer 3

5 Ephors- In charge of each area of Sparta

Question 4

Who were the Ekklessia?

Answer 4

Spartan Males over the age of 30

Question 5

Non-Spartan citizens of the Laconia area. Directly translated as ‘Dwellers around’

Answer 5

Perioikoi

Question 6

Who were the helots?

Answer 6

The enslaved population of Sparta.

Question 7

Who was Lycurgus?

Answer 7

Possibly a Spartan, Or two Spartans or a myth. But is considered widely to be the man who created Spartan law.

Question 8

What was the Great Rhetra?

Answer 8

A set of laws that Spartans lived by, thought to be the work of Lycurgus

Question 9

Who was Aristotle?

Answer 9

Greek. He wrote about the Spartans during the 3rd Century BC

Question 10

Who was Herodotus?

Answer 10

Greek. He wrote extensively about the Spartans and Greek Persian wars during the 5th Century BC

Question 11

Who was Xenophon?

Answer 11

Greek. Wrote about the Spartans and was born around 431BC

Question 12

Who was Plutarch?

Answer 12

Roman. Wrote about Spartans based on other writings and stories around the 1st Century BC

Question 13

What was dual kingship?

Answer 13

The idea that there were always 2 Spartan kings. One to stay at home and one

Question 14

What was ‘Eunomia’?

Answer 14

It meant ‘good order’ and was the idea of harmony and equality among Spartans

Question 15

What was the Syssitia?

Answer 15

The common mess halls were men would take their meals

Question 16

What was the Agoge?

Answer 16

State-run education system of Sparta

Question 17

What was the Agoge stage 1?

Answer 17

0-6: In the care of their mother and taught the values of Sparta.

Question 18

What was the Agoge stage 2?

Answer 18

7-12: Enrolled in a barracks and training was focused on strength and obedience

Question 19

What was the Agoge stage 3?

Answer 19

12-18: started full training- it became more harsh and disciplined. Some reading and writing taught.

Question 20

What was the Agoge stage 4?

Answer 20

18-20: Development of military skill. Elite were chosen to be part of the Krypteia

Question 21

What was the Agoge stage 5?

Answer 21

20-24: Became a full time soldier but not front line. Could now marry

Question 22

What was the Agoge stage 6?

Answer 22

24-30: graduated from the class and became front line soldier.

Question 23

What was the Agoge stage 7?

Answer 23

30-60: Eligible for military service and could live with family. Forced to marry if not already. All meals in the Sysstion

Question 24

What was the aim of the Agoge?

Answer 24

the development of physical strength, military power, sense of community, discipline and obedience.

Question 25

Name of the river running through Laconia?

Answer 25

Eurotas River

Question 26

Where was Sparta located?

Answer 26

on the Peloponnesian peninsula of southern Greece in the are known as Laconia.

Question 27

What was a Kleros?

Answer 27

Plot of land given to each Spartan. Farmed by Helots and a percentage of the resources given to Sparta.

Question 28

Who were the Helots?

Answer 28

Serfs (slaves) owned by the Spartan State

Question 29

Who were the Perioikoi?

Answer 29

“Dwellers Around” the non-spartan citizens of the Laconia area.

Question 30

What were the benefits of the Kleros system?

Answer 30

It was beneficial because it meant that Spartan men could devote their time to warfare and the welfare of Sparta

Question 31

What were the requirements of being a Spartan Citizen?

Answer 31

Born of 2 spartan parents.

Question 32

What was the role of the Perioikoi?

Answer 32

sailors, fishermen, merchants, mining, pottery. Ideal image says that the Perioikoi did the jobs Spartans were forbidden to do

Question 33

What was a Hoplite?

Answer 33

Spartan soldier

Question 34

What did a Hoplite wear and carry?

Answer 34

Corinthian style helmet, 3m spear, Aspida (rounded

shield), stabbing sword, upper body corselet over a cloth tunic, red cape (phoinikis), bronze greaves (shin guards)

Question 35

What was the Phalanx formation?

Answer 35

A system of interlocked shields that aimed to push forward and overwhelm enemies. To cause breakage in
enemy lines while holding own lines together. This would force enemy to collapse and flee. Interlocked shields for defence.

Question 36

What was the role and function of the Kyrypeia

Answer 36

Spartan secret police used to squash the threat of a Helot rebellion