Government The Spartan political system was unusual in that it had two hereditary kings from two separate families. Similar to the Gerousia, the Ephors had limitations to their powers. The Helots farmed plots and they paid as rent a large fraction of their harvest to the owners. The Spartan Government Ancient Spartan government was a complex system of intertwined elements, which affected the power control. Editorial Review This Article has been reviewed for accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards prior to publication.
Below the Gerousia, was another assembly, the Apella. At the same time the Athenian ships fought the Persian navy to a stalemate at nearby Artemision before it withdrew to the straights of Salamina. Athens was divided into ten areas called demes. This type of government is called an oligarchy. Although the Ekklesia was one of the largest bodies of government in Sparta, it very limited in the influences it could make on Spartan society.
I285a , Here also, however, the royal prerogatives were curtailed over time. T … hey were elected. It is a center for economic, political, financial and culture life in Greece. Plutarch was writing several centuries after the period of Spartan hegemony had ceased. The main things the Helots could do that the State liked, was help the Army.
There are known to have been some occasions in which any Helot with enough money was allowed to purchase their freedom from the state. These men were supposedly representatives for every village in Sparta. The Ephors also controlled the run the Agoge, or Spartan education system. Most disputes originated on the laws of succession, as a male son could not take the throne should he be born prior to his father succeeding the throne. Stevenson, 1994 It seemed obvious to him, the possibility of bad qualities being passed from the father to child and that the children of good men would be a blessing rather than a curse to those giving them a home. The Township Council has the responsibility for all legislative matters. The median age was 41.
The combination of this ideology, the education of Spartan citizens, and the disciplined maintenance of a standing army gave the Spartans the stability that had been threatened so dramatically in the Messenean revolt. The perioeci were allowed to maintain their own infrastructures, administrative arrangements and local economy, but had to pay tribute to Sparta and provide soldiers for the military. . There were 7,423 housing units at an average density of 200. Unlike other Grecian kings, Spartan Kings had very little power and did not have an autocratic rule over day-to-day life. Both city states had extremely large slave populations, with each home to about 100,000 slaves. Indeed, the Spartan king Menelaos instigated the after the Trojan prince abducted his wife , offered to Paris by the goddess as a prize for choosing her in a beauty contest with fellow goddesses and.
Women who were barren, pregnant or had survived childbirth presented offerings to Artemis Orthia 2. He was unfortunately deterred by unpleasant news from Epicydidas that the mainland Greek poleis were starting war once again. The dramas of Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, and the comedies of Aristophanes are considered among the masterpieces of western culture. It was made up of hundreds or even thousands of independent peasant households All citizens had a share in the polis. Their school was separate from the boys' school. Implies chastity or the subjection of the bride to her husband 2. The men were often off fighting.
These two cities, with the involvement of the other Hellenic states, rose to power through alliances, reforms, and a series of victories against the invading Persian armies. People had to bring their babies to the government so that they could decide if a baby lived or died. Any Spartiate male over the age of 30 who had retained his citizenship was eligible to sit in the assembly. Establishing Regional Dominance Sparta was located in the fertile Eurotas valley of Laconia in the southeast. They were taught discipline, forced to endure pain, and learned bravery.
The agora was not only a marketplace but the heart of Greek intellectual life and discourse. He is extremely critical of the Spartan system, especially of their emancipated women. The relief of Orthia c. The Athenian adventurous spirit, and their loyalty to their Ionian kin obliged them to assist the Greek colonies that were feuding with the powerful Persian Empire in Asia Minor. They would record any failure or misconduct during a military campaign and could lead to the recall of the army, or punishment of the king. Health judged by a panel of tribal heads.
The political system of Athens was different from the modern representative democracy the citizens were more involved in the governing of the city state. They were economically privleged and had all political power. One of the two kings was the commander in chief of the army. Even after its defeat at the Peloponnesian war, Athens remained a guiding light for the rest of Greece for a long time, but this light that shone so bright, began to slowly fade. Athletic festivals were an essential part of Greek civilization for thousands of years. But Sparta was very different from the other Greek city-states.