Classical Greek Society and Culture

Location of Sparta

Located in the Peloponnese near Laconia, but not by the sea.

Why wasn’t commerce important to Sparta?

Because agriculture was more important; Sparta focused on farming rather than trade.

Helots

Conquered people (mainly from Messenia) reduced to a bonded farming status; worked the land for Spartans.

What was the main role of Helots in Spartan society?

To farm and provide food for Spartans while being controlled by the military.

Lycurgus (900 BCE)

A legendary figure said to have militarized Spartan society; uncertain if he actually existed.

What kind of state was Sparta?

A military police state designed to control conquered populations.

Homoioi (“Similars”)

40% of the population; claimed descent from original Spartans; full citizens devoted to warfare.

What was the Agoge?

A 12-year military training program for Spartan boys starting at age 6–7; became full warriors at 18.

Periokoi (“Around Dwellers”)

Free people living around the city who handled trade and crafts; lacked political power.

How were Periokoi different from Helots?

Periokoi were free but had no political power; Helots were enslaved.

Mixed Constitution of Sparta

Included 2 hereditary kings, Ephors, Gerousia, and Apella — combining monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy.

What were the names of Sparta’s two royal families?

The Agiads and the Eurypontids.

What were the three functions of Spartan kings?

Military leaders (led spartan armies into battles), religious (chief priests), and judges (mainly for army cases).

Ephors

5 officials who had to be similars they would provide declarations of war and domestic policy

Gerousia

Council of 28 elders over 60 + 2 kings; advised Ephors; similar to an oligarchy.

Apella

Assembly of all male Homoioi (18+); voted and elected Ephors.

Women’s Rights in Sparta

Women had unusual rights for the time — could own property, sue, and had civil rights due to men being away in war.

Peloponnesian League (530 BCE)

Alliance of southern Greek city-states led by Sparta to prevent northern/central Greek interference.

Eupatrids (Basileis)

The noble families that governed Athens under an oligarchy.

Archons

Board of early Athenian rulers (originally 3, later 9) who provided executive government.

Areopagus

Council of 300 members from the Hoplite class who advised Archons.

Who were the Hoplites?

Citizen-soldiers who demanded more political influence for risking their lives in war.

Draco (620 BCE)

First to write Athens’ laws; created extremely harsh punishments. First attempt to come up with a solution for the impending civil war 

What was debt slavery?

If you couldn’t repay a loan, you became a slave to your creditor — worsened civil unrest under Draco.

Solon (638–558 BCE)

succeed after Draco Sole archon which means he held archon office alone (594–570 BCE); ended debt slavery, canceled debts, encouraged trade, and reorganized citizens into 4 wealth-based classes.

What was Solon’s most important reform?

Dividing citizens into 4 wealth-based classes that allowed upward and downward mobility.

What does “Demos” mean?

“People” — the root of “Democracy.”

Boule

Assembly of 500 citizens chosen by lot; proposed laws and supervised magistrates.

Ekklesia

Popular assembly where all male citizens (20+) voted on laws, treaties, and magistrates.

What was the Ekklesia responsible for?

Voting on laws, decrees, treaties, and elected officials.

Arkhai (Magistracies)

Over 600 government offices filled by lot.

Strategoi

10 elected generals who led armies and oversaw trials; chosen by lot. they presided over Heliaia on Areoagus after the end of the term

Liturgies

Public works done by wealthy citizens (e.g., maintaining roads); often performed by hiring others.

Ostracism (490 BCE)

Process to exile anyone deemed a threat to the city for 10 years by citizen vote.

Who could participate in ostracism?

Free Athenian males over 20; women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded.

What was an “ostraka”?

A ballot shard with a person’s name used in ostracism votes.