The Apella/Assembly

Question 1

What element of the Spartan government was the assembly?

Answer 1

• The democratic element

Question 2

Who was eligible to sit in the assembly?

Answer 2

• All male Spartiates over 30

Question 3

When and where did the assembly meet? Under the chairmanship of whom?

Answer 3

• Once a month at the full moon in the open air

- Under the chairmanship of a presiding ephor

Question 4

How was the Spartan Assembly unlike the Athenian assembly?

Answer 4

• The Spartan Assembly unlike the Athenian assembly did not debate, discuss or amend proposals

Question 5

Outline the assembly voting process (2)

Answer 5

• The members listened to a proposal made by the Gerousia, delivered by the presiding Ephor
• They would then either vote for or against the proposal

Question 6

What was the one undemocratic element of the Apella?

Answer 6

• If the ephors disapproved of a motion passed by the assembly, they could refuse to proclaim it

Question 7

According to Plutarch, why did Lycurgus make the Apella meet in the open? (Quote) What does this suggest?

Answer 7

• Because “in his opinion they (buildings) were not conducive to sound deliberations and made them (the Apella) silly
• Suggests that Lycurgus thought that the assembly were simple

Question 8

Give a quote from Plutarch which suggests that the assembly lacks the power of the other branches of the government

Answer 8

• “if the people should make a crooked choice, the elders and kings should set it aside” - no trust

Question 9

What does Plutarch do which increases the value of his account? What negative effect could this have?

Answer 9

• Quotes contemporary sources to support his points (including the Spartan Rhetra)
• As he is not a contemporary source, Plutarch’s views are shaped by the earlier writings