Spartan Society

Spartan Society : 

Spartan Society The Ancient World’s Largest Military Camp...

A unique society : 

A unique society The Spartan system of government, and the organisation of its society, was unique in Greece. Society and government were organised so as to ensure the supremacy of the Spartan military way of life.

Origin? : 

Origin? There are two main theories of the origins of this society: Lycurgus implemented the laws of Sparta after receiving the Great Rhetra Sparta’s laws evolved gradually; as the military way of life became more dominant, so the laws came to reflect this fact.

Great rhetra : 

Great rhetra “When thou has built a temple to Zeus Syllanius and Athena Syllania, divided the people into phylai, and divided them into 'obai', and established a Gerousia of thirty including the Archagetai, then from time to time 'appellazein' between Babyka and Knakion, and there introduce and repeal measures; but the Demos must have the decision and the power.” Phylai/obai = clan, family Gerousia = council of elders Archagetai = kings Appellazein = Assembling the citizens Babyka/Knakion = two landmarks of Sparta Demos = the people

government : 

government The Rhetra set out, in very broad terms, the Spartan system of government. It consisted of four main arms.

The kings : 

The kings Sparta had two kings – unique for its time May have once been two tribes, which merged Eurypontid family and Agiad family Treated with great respect To succeed as king, a son had to be born after his father had already become king

roles : 

roles Took a monthly oath to uphold the laws of Sparta Supreme military commander Chief priests of Zeus Offered sacrifices to Zeus and Apollo Controlled adoption and female inheritance In battle, decided life or death Controlled public roads One led army, one stayed in Sparta

privileges : 

privileges Supported by Spartan state and could amass wealth Seats of honour at ceremonies Given double portions in syssition, and served first Elaborate funerals Received some booty from war Given skins of sacrificed animals When entered assembly, all had to stand except ephors

The gerousia : 

The gerousia The Council of Elders; Gero = old 30 members – 28 citizens aged over 60, plus the 2 kings Elected by Apella for life membership Mentioned in Great Rhetra

roles : 

roles Prepared laws for the Apella to vote on Acted as a criminal court, and could impose fines, death sentences or banishment Could veto laws passed by the assembly ‘High Court’ of Sparta

The ephors : 

The ephors The magistrates of Sparta – very powerful 5 were elected each year Had to be a citizen aged over 30, and could stand for election only once Elected by the Apella May have once been the chiefs of the 5 Spartan villages

roles : 

roles Summoned meetings of the Apella and Gerousia 2 ephors accompanied king into battle Called out army in time of war Upheld laws of Sparta – could fine any citizen (including the Kings) Conducted civil trials Responsible for agoge Declared war on helots each year Controlled the krypteia and treasury

The apella : 

The apella Assembly of all citizens aged over 30 Sometimes called the Ekklesia or Assembly Like our parliament, but very limited in its powers ‘Direct democracy’ – all votes by acclamation

roles : 

roles Elected gerousia and ephors Listened to debate and then voted for or against proposals – could not discuss Appointed generals Met under canopy outside city Could vote on important matters, e.g.war

How? : 

How? How did this system of government assist Sparta’s development as a military polis? What advantages do you see in this system? What disadvantages do you see? Who had the power in Sparta?

society : 

society All societies are divided into classes. Usually each class is divided based on its power, wealth, occupation, and rights. This was very much the case in Sparta.

society : 

society Sparta had four classes: SPARTIATES INFERIORS HELOTS PERIOECI

spartiates : 

spartiates Also called ‘Spartans’ or ‘homoioi’ (equals) These were pure Spartan citizens, born to Spartan parents Over 30 years of age Completed agoge Owned a kleros (plot of land) Member of a syssition Never numbered more than 10,000 Only allowed to be warriors or politicians

“inferiors” : 

“inferiors” Spartans who had lost their citizenship, or helots granted more rights Failing agoge, not contributing to syssitia, or cowardice could lose a Spartan his citizenship Courage or adoption could bring a helot into the Inferiors Former citizens went unshaven, wore special clothes, and were shunned by others Not much known about this class

perioeci : 

perioeci Also called ‘the dwellers around’ or periokoi These were non-citizens who lived outside of the city of Sparta, but on Laconian territory Craftsmen, traders, manufacturers Governed themselves as long as did not join with the helots Expected to fight alongside the Spartans

helots : 

helots These were the slave class of Sparta Made up 70% of population Owned by the state, and assigned to masters Did farming for the Spartiates Controlled by the Spartans, and often revolted Only Greeks to be kept as slaves by other Greeks

treatment : 

treatment According to Xenophon, some helots were: Forced to get drunk and act foolishly Publicly beaten as a warning to others Killed by the krypteia Expected to fight for the Spartans

How? : 

How? How did this social system assist Sparta’s development as a military polis? What advantages do you see in this system? What disadvantages do you see? Which class had the power in Sparta?