Spartan Society and Government

Flashcards covering key concepts from the study of Spartan society, including its structure, government, military, and social roles.

The oral constitution called __ dictated everything in Spartan society.

Great Rhetra

Lycurgus was credited with creating the Spartan constitution around or after __ BCE.

650

Plutarch argues that Lycurgus visited the oracle at __ who revealed the system of government.

Delphi

According to Herodotus, Lycurgus brought the great Rhetra from the island of __.

Crete

Xenophon focused on the success of the Rhetra in establishing Sparta as an extremely successful __.

polis

The mixed constitution established by Lycurgus comprised of __, oligarchy, and democracy.

monarchy

Spartan citizens over 30 years were known as __.

Spartiates

The Periokoi were independent craftsmen and traders who lived around the area surrounding the Spartan __.

plain

The Helots were the largest group in Sparta who were __ owned slaves.

state

The Gerousia is the oligarchic branch of the government consisting of 30 Spartans, including 28 elders over __ years.

60

The Ekklesia is the general assembly composed of all male citizens over the age of __.

30

The __ was a rigorous education system designed to train Spartan boys as soldiers.

agoge

The Krypteia acted as a secret police to control the __.

Helots

Spartan women had a role in managing the __, contributing to the maintenance of economic wealth.

Kleros

In Sparta, the family structure was less prioritized than the relationship between a Spartan and his __.

fellow men

The Spartan army’s main formation was called the __ formation.

phalanx

Lycurgus limited the powers of kings so that only __ king could lead a military campaign at any one time.

one

Plutarch describes the educational system for women, which included athleticism and __ training.

physical

According to Aristotle, the best constitution is a combination of __ forms of governance.

all existent

The Helots were often treated harshly, and Herodotus reports they were forcefully made __ by their masters.

drunk

Ephorate consisted of __ men who acted as overseers in the Spartan government.

5

The concept of __ refers to 'good governance' instituted by Lycurgus in Sparta.

eunomia

A __ was often required to attend the mess halls in a Spartan community, fostering comradeship.

syssitia

Women in Sparta were encouraged to be strong during __, as strong mothers were believed to bear strong children.

childbirth

According to Plutarch, Spartan women were instructed to only bear children when they were __ for it.

ripe

The population of helots significantly outnumbered the Spartan citizens, at a ratio of approximately __ to 1.

7

The judicial functions of the Spartan kings were limited to cases surrounding adoption, public roads, and __.

marriage of heiresses

The ephors could put Spartan kings on trial if they broke the __ or committed a war crime.

constitution

The classical Spartan ideal emphasized __ and obedience among citizens.

duty

According to Xenophon, the mixed constitution's primary advantage was not copying other states but taking an __ course.

opposite

The roles and privileges of kings included being the supreme commanders of the __ and chief priests of Zeus.

military

The responsibilities of the Gerousia included preparing and deliberating __ to be presented to the Ekklesia.

bills

Partheniai were children of unmarried Spartans, effectively being ____ in status.

part Spartans