Greek Depth Study - Topic 3, Spartan Politics

Plutarch Agesilaos 1

Plutarch Agesilaos 1

Agis being put through the ‘agoge’

Thucydides 1.18

States that Sparta was founded by the Dorians and they had had the same constitution for 400 years

Thucydides 1.131

Evidence of the ephorate’s role in punishment and enforcement. States that Pausanias, who established himself in Persia, was instructed to return on pain of being declared a public enemy. He was thrown into prison on his arrival

Thucydides 1.132

Pausanias reportedly inciting the helots into revolt

Plutarch Argileonis 1

Tells that Brasidas’ mother said ‘[Brasidas] was a good man, but Sparta has many better men than he

Playing into the Spartan mirage that all Spartans were cold, military driven, cogs in a society.

Plutarch Lycurgus 5.6

Establishment of the Gerousia, a source of safety and moderation for the state according to Plutarch

The 28 Gerousia always supported the kings as a counter-weight to democratic tendencies and tyranny.

Plutarch Lycurgus 6

Gerousia body of 30 (including the 2 kings)

They had a veto power, established in the people's interest.

Assumed to have quoted the Rhetra from Aristotle's Lakedaimonians

Plutarch Lycurgus 7

Roughly 130 years after Lycurgus came the introduction of the Ephorate

Plutarch Lycurgus 9

Information about Spartan money, bit irrelevant really...

Used iron instead of gold and lists its effects

Plutarch Lycurgus 26-28

Purely made up of men over 60 with merits regarded as outstanding. 'the best and wisest of the good and wise'

Funeral arrangements for the Gerousia's death

He did not permit Spartiates travelling freely and acquiring habits from neighbouring places

Krypteia

Plutarch Lycurgus 29.6

Strengthened the Spartan constitution as although it appeared a democratic measure by undermining the kings (ensuring they weren't tyranical) it made the aristocracy more secure as there was no revolution against them

Says that the constitution remained unchanged for 500 years

Contradicts itself by saying that there were no changes to the constitution while also saying that there was an introduction of the ephorate.

Plutarch Lysander 3

States that it was the Sicilian expedition which undermined Athenian naval hegemony.

States that the Lacedaemonians understood that success in the war required 'an able leader' and therefore they sent out Lysander to take up command.

Given Plutarch is writing biography he perhaps lays undue emphasis on Lysander as an individual.

Plutarch Lysander 4

Lysander's skill as a diplomat coming through. Manages to get the support of Cyrus to actively fund the war.

Given Plutarch is writing biography he perhaps lays undue emphasis on Lysander as an individual.

Plutarch Lysander 5

Lysander summons and manages to invoke the cities nearby into revolution from Athens. Again his diplomacy shining through

Given Plutarch is writing biography he perhaps lays undue emphasis on Lysander as an individual.

Plutarch Lysander 7

Calilicratidas' defeat at Arginusae.

Allies demanded that Lysander be made Nuarch once more - highlights his key role in the Peloponnesian war.

He was sent out as vice-admiral (because of a law) but really had supreme power

Plutarch Lysander 10

Battle of Aegispotimae. Doesn't engage the Athenians until the fifth day when the Athenians had become "bold and contemptuous" apparently.

Plutarch Lysander 11

Aegispotimae - Athenians complacent as the Spartans approached - 3,000 men taken prisoner

Plutarch tells us that it was 'brought to a close by the prudence and ability of one man'

Herodotus 5:75

Cleomenes and Demaratus fall out on expedition and apparently from this point forth, given there was a divergence in a matter of policy, a new law was introduced in Sparta that made it illegal for both kings to go out on expedition - one had to remain in the capital.

Herodotus 6.56-60

Key source on role of kings

The prerogatives of the Spartan kings are defined as being the priesthoods of Zeus Lacedaemon and of Zeus Uranius, and the declaration of war on whom they please - Nobody could go against their decision of war under pain of sacrilege.

In peace time mainly just a religious role within Sparta.

Certain legal matters are left purely to them. These are social roles e.g. had control over public roads

Make up 2 of the 28 other elders' votes in the Gerousia

Thucydides 3:79

Brasidas overruled by Alcidas highlighting his lack of importance?

Thucydides 4.81

Apparently the chief factor in creating a pro-Spartan feeling among the allies of Athens was the gallantry of Brasidas and the wisdom which he showed at this time

Thucydides given that he was defeated by Brasidas at Amphipolis is often overly positive about him as an individual.

Thucydides 4:117

Brasidas’ successes influencing Spartan and Athenian policy in terms of the armistice.

Athens wanted to quell momentarily the threat of Brasidas

Sparta wanted to use Brasidas’ successes in order to make a ‘general agreement by giving back the prisoners and making peace for a longer period’. Anxious to get back the men while Brasidas’ successes continued.

Thucydides 5.57

Spartan king Agis was in command against Argos

Evidence to corroborate with Herodotus 6.56-60

Thucydides 5.63-74

Spartan Kings clearly pressured by the state to secure military success as is highlighted by the phrase 'the Spartans [...] were extremely indignant with Agis for not having conquered Argos when he had such an opportunity"

Indeed, the passage says that he had to beg the state not to pull down his house and fine him 10,000 drachmae.

Apparently he did not even have military authority - exceptional circumstances but he was given 10 advisors and without their authority he should not be empowered to lead an army out of the city.

Also states that when a king is leading an army, all instructions are given by him personally

Thucydides 1:79-87

Debate at Sparta as to whether to go to war.

Undermines Herodotus’ comments that the Spartan King had absolute control on whether to go to war does it not, as he is undermined by Sthenelaidas

Thucydides 8.5

States that Agis makes arrangements including organising the revolt in Lesbos without consultation with the government in Sparta since Agis on command had the power to send troops wherever he wished, to raise fresh forces and to levy money.

Supports Thucydides' other comments and Herodotus 6.56-60 and to an extent Plutarch life of Lycurgus

Xenophon Lac Pol 4

Ephors had a role in selecting 3 leaders of 100 people each among the young men

Xenophon Lac Pol 8

The ephorate are told to have the right to impose fines on anyone they choose, they can depose a magistrate from his office even in mid-term and can imprison them and put them on trial for their life.

Supports Thucydides 5.63-74,T Thucydides 1.131 and Plutarch Lycurgus 29.6

Xenophon Lac Pol 10

Again, this idea that those elected to the Gerousia were old

Carrying out the harshest punishments against those who committed treason and stuff.

Tells us of who Lycurgus supposedly is

Xenophon Lac Pol 11

Role of ephorate in military:

Organisation of the Army. Ephorate sets out the age groups required to serve as cavalry, hoplites and craftsmen

Xenophon Lac Pol 13

Role of kings:

• Religious role in Sparta --> before setting off they begin by making a sacrifice to Zeus. Makes a second sacrifice to Zeus and Athena .

• Two ephors also come on campaign, but take no part in proceedings unless told to. They are there to ensure that all behave with obedience and 'decorum'

• King is in personal command of the army, leads it.

• All decisions stem from the king.

• On command he has no other commitments other than the priestly and acting as general to the army

Supports Herodotus 5.56-60

Xenophon Lac Pol 15 - Kings

Role of the ephorate and the king

• Again this religious aspect and this military one.

• Double portions of rations in public mess tents

• Tells of the relationship between the ephorate and the king

  • Oaths taken once a month stating that the kings will act in accordance with the established laws of the state and the ephors state they will maintain the royal prerogatives undiminished if they do.

• Kings honoured as not mortals, but demigods

Xenophon states perhaps that he is using the original royal charter as a source for this information

Supports Herodotus 5.56-60

Contradicts Plutarch Lycurgus 7 stating that the constitution remained unchanged since its creation

Supports Plutarch Lycurgus 29.6 that the ephorate was there to put a check on the king's authority.

Xenophon Hellenica 2.1.14

Lysander appointment as vice-Nauarch for the battle of Aegispotimae

Clearly Sparta was willing to bend the constitution where they saw fit as despite them not being able to appoint Lysander as Nauarch more than once, he was admiral in all but name.

Xenophon Hellenica 2.2.19-20

Ephors call assembly at the conclusion of the Peloponnesian war

Diodorus 11:50

Role of the ephorate:

Unlike Pentecontaetia says that Spartans openly showed their resentment that they had lost command of the sea. Meeting of Gerousia discussing whether to engage in naval battle

States that it was only because of Hetoimaridas that they did not engage in war. Young and old needed to be persuaded.

Undermines what Herodotus has to say about the king’s role in military declarations of war etc…

Thucydides 8:3

Agis set out from Decelea and raised money from the allies for the building of a fleet

Thucydides 7:11-12

Role of Gylippus in Sicily:

Was defeated initially by Athenians, but next day he made them retreat. Essentially besieges them by building a wall while they are outnumbered.

Thucydides 6:93

Role of Alcibiades in convincing Sparta to send a force to Sicily under Gylippus

Thucydides 5:16

role of Brasidas and Cleon in putting brakes on peace.