The Spartan Constitution

KINGS

Key features:

• TWO Kings - one form each of the leading families in Sparta (Agiads and Eurypontids, claiming to be decendents from Heracles)
• Hereditary succession
• The two Kings had equal powers - a check on the other's power and keep each other in line
• One King would command the army whilst on campaign while the other would supervise the domestic matters in Sparta
• The Kings were maintained by the state

POWERS of the Kings:

MILITARY/POLITICAL

Military was one of their main powers.

• "The power of declaring war on whom they please" (Herodotus 6.56)
• "On service, the Kings go first and return last" (Herodotus 6.56)
• "It is their duty to select and appoint the officials who see to the entertainment of foreign visitors" (Herodotus 6.57)
• "They sit with the twenty-eight Elders in the Council chamber." (Herodotus 6.57)
• "Cast two votes" (Herodotus 6.57)
• "Leads the way to the frontiers of the state" (Xenophon XIII)
• "The King is leading the army, if no enemy appear, nobody marches in front of him except the Skiritai and cavalry outriders" (Xenophon XIII)
• "The King takes the first company of the first regiment" (Xenophon XIII)
• "They decide that it is time to camp, the King is in charge" (Xenophon XIII)
• "The King is left with no duties on campaign except those of a priest in the religious field and a general  in human affairs" (Xenophon XIII)
• "Lead the army on any foreign campaign" (Xenophon XV)

RELIGIOUS/CULTURAL

Religion was one of their main powers.

• "They are responsible for the safekeeping of all oracles" (Herodotus 6.57)
• "He sacrifices in Sparta to Zeus the Leader and the gods associated with him" (Xenophon XIII)
• "The King sacrifices again to Zeus and Athena" (Xenophon XIII)
• "Whenever the King sacrifices, he starts the rites before dawn, wishing to obtain the favour of the gods before the enemy" (Xenophon XIII)
• "The King should make…