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SPARTA (Government (General overview (Thucydides reports that the Spartans…
SPARTA
Government
General overview
Thucydides reports that the Spartans 'constantly take most of their decisions with a view to precautions against the helots'
Sparta developed a unique constitution and set of social rules to maintain a way of life-based on a control of a large, resentful subject population - developed into an austere, militaristic society, unlike any other in Greece
Lycurgus examined the best qualities of governments and incorporated this into the new Spartan system of government
Great Rhetra
The laws to govern Spartan society, "the prophecies and the perfect words of the god". Herodotus, Aristotle, Plutarch provide similar versions
- The creation of the gerousia of 30 members
- The appointment of the two kings
- The Assembly
- Procedures for holding assemblies
Kings (Agiad/Eurypontid)
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Oversaw the adoption of orphans, marriage of hieresses
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Social Structure
Perioikoi
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Monopolised all trade, businesses and professions (including fishermen) --> in return they received physical protection
Spartiates
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Obey the laws of the state and their superiors and to be brave in battle. Spartiates sacrificed their individuality to the state --> Those who disobeyed lost their citizenship
Hypomeiones
Inferiors - Spartiates who lost their citizenship de to poverty or failing to meet citizenship requirements
Equality???
Achieved through land distribution and agoge, with its implied 'equality' in the communal sharing of the syssition
The Agoge reinforced the belief that any change to this new order would threaten the privileged position of Spartiates
Kingship was hereditary within the Agiad and Eurypontid families and members of the gerousia were drawn from the traditional land owning families
Geography
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Sparta was more like a network of rural townships than a city. Did not have any walls surrounding the city - relied on the mountain ranges for protection.
Sparta did not establish colonies in distant places, but expanded into the territories of their neighbours
Lycurgus
Modern historians doubt the existence of Lycurgus as a single individual who arranged the new state, its laws and social framework
Suggest he may be an amalgam of people who helped develop Sparta's constitution over time. Series of revolutionary changes