SPARTA - Government
- Created by: StefAreYouDeaf
- Created on: 23-12-16 18:47
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- Government
- 2 Kings
- Spartans claimed that the two kings were descendants of the mythological hero Hercules
- This made sure that one individual did not get too much power, and they could keep each other in line.
- 3 Main responsiblities
- Commanders of the Spartan army. Only one king allowed to command the army, and he had absolute power. However, he was closely watched by two of the ephors, who were required to accompany him and report back to the ecclêsia on his efforts.
- Religious leaders. They were the chief priest of Sparta and the Spartans believed that they were the closest thing to gods human could be.
- Judicial powers. They controlled who married heiresses, the adoption of children, and the maintenance of public highways.
- Privileges
- their children did not have to go through the education system
- They were wealthy land owners, owning perioeci land as well as Spartan land
- They were served food first in the syssition and were given double portions
- They had seats of honour at public festivals
- 5 Ephors
- Elected every 5 years by the ecclêsia
- Ephors only served a year, had to be a man and had to be over 30
- over looked the kings to made sure they were being just
- important duties
- Foreign affairs. They could allow foreign representati-ves to enter Sparta
- Education. They were responsible for the education system and appointed to paidonomos
- Security. The elected the 300 body guards of the kinds and chose the members of the krypteia
- Legal Affairs. They judges civil cases on their own and sat with the gerousia to form the Supreme Court of Justice
- 30 Gerousia
- Consisted of the 2 kings and 28 over 60 Spartan citizens.
- Main function was to prepare and debate bills for the ecclêsia to vote on. If they were not happy with the results, they would withdraw the proposal
- Also acted as judges in criminal law
- Ecclêsia voted for the gerousia.
- The ecclêsia voted by shouting the loudest for the candidate they wanted to be in the gerousia.
- In gerousia for rest of life
- Ecclêsia
- The assembly for Spartan people.
- Women, helots, and perioeci could not be part of it.
- Ecclêsia met every month outside the city to vote on the bills that were set out by the gerousia. They could not discuss them, they could only vote for or against them.
- Voted by acclamation. (clapping or shouting)
- How effective?
- Aristotle critised the gerousia - they were prone to being bribed easily.
- Plato said that it was a very balanced government and very democratic
- 2 Kings
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