Sparta society

Spartiates

Citizens of Sparta(men), practised a form of communism between themselves and help their property in common, all men were soldiers and lived togeth in barracks, wife and husband only spent time together to produce children

Spartan women

Women ran the household from which their husband were usually absent, more educated than other Greek women, were allowed to practise athletics unlike other Greek women - believed that it would help them give birth to healthy babies

The helots

Peasants living in the land surrounding Sparta, controlled by the Spartans and had to hand over most of the food they grew to them, every year the Spartans formally decalred war on the helots so they could kill them when they wanted and it would not be a crime

What makes the helots unusual among Greek poleis

Most Greek poleis usually had non-Greek slaves, but the helots were Greek

Spartan babies

Spartan babies were presented to the ephors, if the baby was deemed to weak by the ephors it would be left on a hillside to die

Seven years old

At the age of seven Spartan boys were taken from their mothers and placed into a pack led by older boys, they would fight other packs of Spartan boys in organised battles

Twenty years old

At the age of twenty a Spartan boy had to join a barracks, if he was considered a coward no barracks would want him and he would have to leave the city

Spartan boys’ food

Spartan boys were npt given enough food to survive, expected to steal what they needed but were beaten if they were caught

Older Spartan boys

Older Spartan boys were sent to helot villags with instructions to pick out the stronger ones and kill them

Spartan boys’ tunic

Expected to wear the same tunic summer and winter

The Kings

Sparta had two kings, each from a different royal family, inherited position but the influece of a Spartan King depended on his personl qualities

Purpose of the Kings

Act as generals in the event of wars, had no other power

The Ephors

There were five ephors, always old men and were elected by People’s Assembly

Purpose of the Ephors

Interpreted laws, declared war and made peace

The People’s Assembly

Composed of all Spartiates aged over thirty

Purpose of The People’s Assembly

Elected the ephors, answered either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if the ephors asked their opinion. Did not debate, voting was done by shouting and whichever option was shouted the loudest won