2.3 The Political Structure of Sparta
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76 Terms
Gerousia
The Spartan Council of 28 Elders plus the 2 Kings
Agiad
1 of the 2 dynasties of Kings in Sparta
Eurypontid
1 of the 2 dynasties of Kings in Sparta
eponymous ephor
The ephor by whose name the Spartans identified the year
Key Individual: Pausanias
Dates: Died c.470
The newphew of Leonidas and became Agiad regent after Leonidas was killed at Thermopylae in 480. He then commanded the Greek tropps at the battle of Plataea (479) in which the Greeks defeated the Persians. He seems to have been seduced by Persian luxury and died in disgrace.
Key Individual: Hetoemaridas
A member of the gerousia who persuaded the Spartans not to declare war on Athens when they were beginning to fear the growing sea-power of Athens in the 470s.
Key Individual: Archidamus
Dates: reigned c469-427BC
Eurypontid king. In the debate at Sparta about whether to declare wra on Athens in 432 he urged caution, but was over-ruled. He then commanded the Spartan invasions of ATtica for the first few years of the war before his death, the war from 431-421 is therefore sometimes called the Archidamian War.
Key Individual: Sthenelaidas
Dates: ephor in 432
In the debate, he persuaded the Spartans to declare war on Athens when the king, Archidamus, urged caution.
Key Individual: Brasidas
Dates: eponymous ephor in 431, d.422
A Spartan general who gained a reuptation during the Archidamian War (431-421). He is most famous for taking a force of mercenaries and helots to Thrace to attack Athenian allies there, where he was very successful. However, he was killed there in a battle outside Amphipolis.
Key INdividual: Alcibiades
DAtes: 450-404
An Athenian. He persuaded the Athenians to attack Syracuse in Sicily in 415 and was one of the generals in command of the expedition, but was recalled to stand trial for sacrilege. He escaped and went to Sparta where he gave the Spartans adviceo n how to defeat the Athenians. He then had to flee from Sparta, allegedly because he seduced the wife of King Agis II.
Key Individual: Agis II
Dates: reigned 427-400
The son of Archidamus and Eurypontid king. He is probably best known for winning the Battle of Mantinea (418) and establishing a permanent Spartan fort in Athenian territory at Decelea (Dekeleia) (on the advice of Alcibiades)
Key Individual: Lysander
Dates. d.395
A Spartan admiral who gaiend the confidence and friendhsip of Cyurs, son of the Persian King, Darius. Darius appointed Cyrus supreme commander of the Persian forceso n the coast of Asia Minor. With Cyrus’ support, Lysander was able to raise a Spartan fleet and ultimately defeated the Athenians in 404.
THE ROLES, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KINGS, GEROUSIA, EPHORS AND ASSEMBLY
What 2 quotes are used by Aristotle to describe Spartan Kings (can paraphrase but get source exact)
Aristotle, Politics 1285a - Outside Sparta, a Spartan King is commander of everything in the war, also matters concering the gods. the Kingship is like a permanaent generalship of men with absolute power.
Aristotle, Politics 1285b - Spartan Kings rule as if having a permanenet hereditary generalship.
THE ROLES, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KINGS, GEROUSIA, EPHORS AND ASSEMBLY
What does Plutarch say about Spartan Kings? In which 2 sources?
He doesn’t say much in ‘Lycurgus’, but does tell us
1. They were members of the gerousia (lycurgus 6.1-3).
They could propose business to the Assembly, but maybe only through the membership of the gerousia.
In Agesilaus 1.2, he says the next in line to the kingship didn’t have to go through the agoge.
THE ROLES, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KINGS, GEROUSIA, EPHORS AND ASSEMBLY
What does Herodotus tell us about the law to do with Spartan Kings? Why did it happen?
Herodotus 5.75 Histories
Before our period the Spartans changed the law so only 1 king was away with an expedition.
Happened after quarrel between Demaratus and Cleomenes led to the abandomnet of an expedition against Athens.
What does Plutarch tell us about currency in Sparta.
What does the archaeological evidence show.
What else does Plutarch say?
What does Thucydides say (quote)?
What did all this mean for Sparta nationally?
Plutarch, Lycurgus 9, tells us Lycurgus banned money from Sparta, although no Greek state had coined money at the time.
Archaeological evidence shows Spartans didn’t mint coins.
Plutarch also says Lycurgus, Lycurgus 27, banned Spartans from leaving Sparta and expelled foreigners
Thucydides in the period of Pericles’ Funeral Oration (when comparing Athens with Sparta) suggests these exclusions were actually occasional acts: 'and there is no time when we exclude someone with an explusion of foreigners’ . The History of the Peloponnesian War 2.39 Thurcydides
This indicates the little contact Sparta had with the outside world, particularly outside the Peloponnese.
What does Hodkinson say about Spartiate foreign relationships?
What did some Spartans struggle with? Who is a good example of this and why/how, according to which sources?
Hodkinson lists the evidence for Spartiates’ foreign connections in Property and Wealth in Classical Sparta.
Some Spartans commanders/governors found it hard dealing with troops from other states and populations which weren’t used to the Spartan way of running armies/states.
Pausanias is a good example, when Leonidas was killed at Thermopylae (480), his only son was a child so Pausanias (nephew) served as regent.
According to both Plutarch and Thucydides, the Spartans were happy to give up Greek command to preserve their customs. Pausanias was clearly not ready to lose power he' had held. After continuing to plot against Sparta, he was punished eventually. However, not all Spartans were ready for Athens to step into their shoes as Diodorus records in the 470s (Diodorus, Library of History, 11.50.1-2
Describe the Spartan government in the 5th century BC.
Answer Side:
Spartan government in the 5th century BC was an oligarchy, with power held by a small group of elite citizens. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 7.1; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
What was the role of the two kings in Spartan government?
Sparta had two kings who held hereditary positions but had limited powers, particularly in matters of war. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 6.1; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
Explain the significance of the Gerousia in Spartan politics.
The Gerousia was a council of elders, composed of 28 members over the age of 60, responsible for proposing laws and advising the kings. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 6.1; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
How were ephors chosen, and what were their powers?
Ephors were annually elected officials who had powers to oversee the kings, control foreign policy, and administer justice. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 15.1; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
What was the Spartan Assembly (Apella) and its role in government?
The Spartan Assembly (Apella) was made up of male citizens over 30 years old, who could vote on proposals presented by the Gerousia. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 2.4; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
Describe the significance of the Spartan system of 'checks and balances.'
Spartan 'checks and balances' included the ephors' oversight of the kings and Gerousia, and the kings' military and religious roles. (Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 6.1; Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6)
What was the impact of the Lycurgan reforms on Spartan government and society?
The Lycurgan reforms, attributed to legendary lawgiver Lycurgus, shaped Spartan government and society, emphasizing military discipline, equality among citizens, and the subordination of individual desires to the needs of the state. (Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 6-10)
Archidamus 469-427
Intro - first mentioned, helot revolt?
Relationship with athens - friend, revolt?
Debate on War with Athens, when, how old, who opposed?
Archidamian War, when, what did he do, initially?
Introduction
First mentioned during the earthquake and helot revolt in 464.
Reacted quickly and led resistance against the helots (Diodorus Siculus 11.63.5-6).
Relationship with Athens
Guest-friend of Pericles, as noted by Thucydides (2.13).
Possibly behind the request to Athens for help during the revolt.
Debate on War with Athens (432)
Aged about 70, advised caution.
Outmanoeuvred by the ephor Sthenelaidas.
Archidamian War (431-421)
Commanded Peloponnesian forces in the war's early years.
Initially somewhat reluctant to invade Attica.
Known for tactic of avoiding direct confrontation of the great navy of Athens
Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian war 2.65.3
Who was Agis II?
Agis II was the son of Archidamus, who took over his father’s rolein leading the annual invasion of Attica in 426BCE.
Why did the Spartans turn back at the Isthmus of Corinth during Agis II’s invasion?
Because of earthquakes (Thucydides 2.89)
What role did Agis II play in the Peace of Nicias with Athens in 421 BCE?
As one of the Spartan signatories (state that has signed treaty), Agis II played a role in negotiating the Peace of Nicias with Athens in 421 BCE (Thucydides 5.19)
What happened in 419 that led to Agis II leading Spartan forces against Argos?
In 419, fighting broke out in the Peloponnese with Argos seeking to expand. Agis II led the Spartan forces in response, influenced by the Athenian Alcibiades.
Describe the aftermath of Agis II’s campaign against Argos in 418
After the Battle of Mantinea in 418, where the Spartans triumphed, Agis II faced anger from his fellow Spartans. 2 Argive generals persuaded him to truce, but when Orchomenos was captured, Spartans were outraged. They suspended a fine and destruction of his house, but imposed new rules, such as appointing 10 Spartan officials as his advisors (Thucydides 5.63.2-4)
What was Agis II’s role during hte Athenian invasion in 413?
In 413, Agis II led an invasion of Attica and established a fort in Athenian territory at Decelea. He remained at Decelea for most of the war until the Athenian surrender in 404, which granted him significant power during the war (Thucydides 8.5)
What challenges did the system of having 2 Spartan kings present?
It sometimes led to disunity and weaker government, as they could follow different policies. Additionally, the elder king, who had usually been on the throne longer and commanded campaigns, often became the dominant king, causing potential problems of succession (Herodotus 7.3)
According to Herodotus _._ , what was the rule for succession to the Spartan kingship?
Herodotus (7.3) claimed only the son of a king born after he had become king could succeed to the kingship. This meant that an elder brother wouldn’t become king, potentially causing succession disputes and rivalries.
How often was there a direct succession of a son from his father in royal households during the discussed period?
Only 1 occasion in each royal household when there was a normal, direct succession of a son from his father. The kingship was particularly weak during the 470s due to various issues surrounding Pausanias, and the ‘true’ Eurypontid king Demaratus was in exile. The exile of Pleistoanax from 446/5 for allegedly accepting bribes not to attack Athens (Thucydides 5.16) probably allowed Archidamus to become dominant.
What was the role of the Gerousia?
The Gerousia was the council of elders in Sparta. According to Plutarch, Lycurgus 6, the kings were part of the Gerousia along with 28 other men. They alone could make proposals to the assembly, had the power to veto a ‘crooked proposal’, and also according to Xenophon Constitution of the Laecadomonians 10.2 acted as judges. An example of their role is seen in Diodorus 11.50.2 where they consider declaring war on the Athenians to take back the sea.
What was the Agiad timeline/descent of Spartan Kings for our period?
Cleomenes I 520-490
Leonidas (d.480)
Pleistarchus too young in 480 so a regent:
Pausanias disgraced and died c.470
Pleistarchus then ruled until 458
Pleistoanax (son of Pausanias) 458, but exiled 446/5, recalled 427/6
Pausanias II (son of Pleistoanax) 408-395
What was the Eurypontid timeline/descent of Spartan Kings for our period?
Demaratus in exile so replaced by a distant relation:
Leotychides 491-469
Archidamus (grandson of Leotychides) 469-427
Agis II (son of Archidamus) 427-400
Agesilaus II (till 395 course ends)
Definition: probouleusis
The power to debate matters first and to form proposals which were then put to the assembly.
Who was Hetoemaridas, and what role did he play in the assembly?
Hetoemaridas was a member of the Gerousia. He persuaded the assembly not to declare war on AThens. This suggests he had been unable to persuade the Gerousia, as the matter came before the assembly. The debate, according to Diodorus, was in 475, though it might be more acccuratley placed in 477 (Diodorus’ chronology is limited)
What was the source of power andi nfluence of hte Georusia in Sparta?
The power and influence of the Gerousia lay in “probouleusis” (Plutarch, Agis 11.1). It debated matters first, then brough them to the Assembly for a vote. According to Plutarch, Lycurgus 5.6-7, the Gerousia was a source of stability (mentioning Plato as a source), usually supporting the kings and acting as a balance to the common people.
What does Plutarch tell us about the origins and authority of the Ephors in Sparta?
Plutarch discusses the origins of the Ephors in Lyrcurgus 7, quoting Plato as their authority being ‘as a curb on the rest of the constituion’ presumably the kings and Gerousia. Plutarch also mentions they were introduced by King Theopompus in the late 8th to early 7th century, so they were well-established by the start of the discussed period.
What other detail does Plutarch give us about the Ephors (hint quote)
‘Aristotle most certainly says the ephors, whenever they first eneter office, declare war on the helots so that doing away with them was free from pollution.’ Plutarch, Lycurugs 28.4
What does Xenophon tell us about the Ephors, when?
He says there were 5 ephors elected every year from any full Spartiate (30+ aged). Xenophon also says they received foreign envoys (messengers). In Hellenica 2.2.13, Xenophon records an occasion in 405 when teh ehpors prevented Athenian envoys entering Sparta. He also says the ephors also probably called the emetings of at least the assembly, and maybe the Gerousia as well. He also agrees with Plutarch that only the kings and gerousia could put proposals to the Assembly.
When does Sthenelaidas appear in our sources, and what was the context of his appearance?
He only is mentioned once in our sources, during the debate at Sparta over whether to declare war on Athens in 432. (The content of what he says is discussed in period study). Thucydides’ account provides insights into the decision-making process in Sparta during this debate, it should be noted though Thucydides himself would’t have been present, but there were Athenians at the meeting, though dismissed frorm the Assembly before the Spartans debated their final decision.
Who comprised the spartan assembly, and what were their roles in decision-making?
The assembly consisted of all male Spartiates over the age of 20. While Herodotus stated that kings could make the decision to go to war (6.56), it was the assembly that decided on war in 432. Both teh Gerousia and the Ephors, although powerful, were elected by the assembly. The process of election for both bodies was described as “childish” by Aristotle (he describes the election of hte Gerousia similary). The assembly also had the power to approve changesi n the law. It was genearlly assumed that he Ephors were elected in the same way as the Gerousia
Could the Spartan assembly put forward its own proposals?
The assembly couldn’t put its own proposals forward, they had to come from the Gerousia. It’s thought the Ephors could also make proposals. Although not mentioned by Plutarch or Xenophon, Stenelaidas seems to have done this in 432 (Thucydides 1.87). During debates, such as those in 475 (Diodorus 11.50 and 432 (Thucydides 1.79-87), the assembly likely listend to the opinions of hte kings, Gerousia and Ephors.
Who are some non-royal Spartan commanders mentioned in the sources, and why is studying them important?
Before the Pelop war, very few individual Spartans are knwon from the sources of that period. However, many non-royal Spartan commanders outside the Pelop are known during the war. It’s important to study 2 of these non royal Spartan commanders, Brasidas and Lysadner, as well as Athenian Alcibiades who falls chronologically between them, to understand their roles nad impact during the war.
What did Brasidas do in 431, and how did this affect him in 431/430?
In 431, Brasidas saved the southern perioikic town of Methone from an Athenian attack (Thucydides 2.25)
The popularity he gained from this action may have resulted in his being elected eponymous ephor in 431/430 (Xenophon, Hellenica 2.3.10)
However, there may be a discrepancy with the years, Cartledge suggests they may reversed (The Spartans: An Epic History p.172)
What role did Brasidas play in 429, concerning the Spartan fleet?
In 429, the Athenian admiral Phormio was operating with a fleet in the Corinthian Gulf.
The Spartans sent Timocrates, Brasidas, and Lycophron as advisors to Cnemus concerning the fleet. They were ordered to prepare better for a 2nd sea battle after the Spartan fleet was defeated. (Thucydides 2.85)
What daring raid was Brasidas involved in at the end of 429?
At the end of 429, still as an advisor to Cnemus, Brasidas was involved in a daringraid inteneded to attack the Athenian port at Piraeus. Instead, they laid waste to the island of Salamis. (Thucydides 2.93-2.94)
In 427, what was Brasidas’ role concerning Corcyra?
In 427, Brasidas was again an advisor to the commander of a Spartan fleet, Alcidas.
Their target was Corcyra, an Athenian ally in civil war.
Brasidas favored an immediate attack on Corcyra but was overruled by Alcidas (Thucydides 3.76, 3.79)
What were Brasidas’ actions in 425 and 424?
425, Brasidas distinguished himself in the Spartan attack on the Athenian fortification at Pylos. (Thucydides 4.11-4.12)
In 424, he was at Corinth putting together the army to take to Thrace when the Athenians attacked Megara. Brasidas hurried to the rescue, and eventually, the Athenians retreated. (Thucydides 4.70-4.74)
How successful was Brasidas in Thrace, and how did Sparta initially react?
Brasidas moved quickly and daringly, winning over many cities in Thrace from Athens.
Some in Sparta initially refused to send reinforcements due to his success. (Thucydides 4.108.7)
What happened in 423 between Athens and Sparta?
in 423, a truce was made between Athens and Sparta to allow negotiations for a more lasting peace. (Thucydides 4.117)
What significant event happened in 422 involving Brasidas?
2 days after the truce in 423, the city of Scione went over to the Spartans, led by Brasidas. |He also refused to give it back.
Following this, Mende also came over to the Spartans.
The truce ended, and the Athenians sent Cleon to try to recover the cities, espeically Amphipolis.
Brasidas personally led a successful defense of Amphipolis, but he was killed in the action. (Thucydides 5.10)
How did Alcibiades influence events during the war, and what were his early connections with Sparta?
Alcibiades, although an Athenian, had a large influence on the events of the war, even in Sparta.
His wet-nurse was Spartan, and his name was Spartan in origin.
He had a guest-friend relationship with a Spartan, Endios, suggesting a long-standing relationship between their families, possibly going back to the 6th century. Plutarch, Alcibiades 1; Thucydides 8.6)
What did Alcibiades do in 420 to exploit tensiosn between AThens and Sparta?
In 420, Alcibiades took advantage of bad relations between Athens and Sparta after the Peace of Nicias.
He tricked some Spartan negotiators, including Endios, who were in AThens, and denounced them in the Athenian assembly.
#This paved the way for an alliance between Athens and Argos, and Alcibiades hoped to attract Elis and Mantinea into an anti-Spartan Peloponnesian alliance. (Thucydides 5.45, 1.19)
What were Alcibiades’ actions in 419 and 418 concerning the Spartans?
In 419, Alcibiades persuaded the AThenians to inscribe on the pillar recording hte Peace of Nicias ‘The Spartans have not kept their oaths’.
In 418, after the Spartans marched against ARgos, Alcibiades hoped for an anti-Spartan alliance involving AThens, ARgos, Elis nad Mantinea.
The Battle of Mantinea resulted ina victory for Sparta, ending hte anti-Spartan coalition. (Thucydides, 5.56-5.57 and 5.63-5.74
What did Alcibiades persuade the Athenians to do in 415?
In 415, Alcibiades persuaded the AThenians to send a large expedition to Sicily.
The purpose was to aid their (non-Greek) allies, Egesta, against Syracuse, but Alcibiades hoped to conquer the whole island.
He was appointed as one of the generals for the expedition. (Thucydides 6.89)
What did Alcibiades do in 413 and 411?
413, Alcibiades advised the Spartans to send Gylippus to Sicily and to fortify Decelea under the command of King Agis.
411, Alcibiades persuaded the Spartans to intervene in hte Aegean and promised to persuade Ionian cities to revolt from Athens.
This led to the Spartans making their first alliance with Persia.
(Thucydides 6.93, 7.11-12, 8.12, 8.18)
What happened between Alcibiades and King Agis, and when did Alcibiades seduce Agis’ wife?
At some stage, while King Agis was away, Alcibiades seduced his wife. Thucydides notes that Agis became a personal enemy of Alcibiades by 411.
This is believed to have happened around 414/413
Alcibiades started acting against Spartan interests with the Persian governor Tissaphernes and hoped for his recall to AThens. (Plutarch, Alcibiades 23; Thucydides 8.45)
What happened to Alcibiades upn his return to AThens in 407 and in 406?
407, Alcibiades finally arrived back in Athens and was elected general. (Xenophon, Hellenica 1.4.10-20)
406, he left the fleet under the command of his helmsman, who was defeated by Lysander at Notium.
The Athenians reacted by depriving Alcibiades of his command, and he retreated to a castle he owned on the Hellespont. (Plutarch, Lysander 5)
What did Alcibiades do before the final battle of the war at Aegospotami?
In 405, Alcibiades warned the aThenian generals of hte waeakness of their position before the battle at Aegospotami.
However, he was dismissed. (Xenophon, Hellenica 2.1.25-26)
What was Lysander’s background, and when was he appointed at nauarchos?
Lysander was a mothax, a Spartan brought up not in his father’s household, likely due to poverty.
In 407, Lysander was appointed nauarchos, commander of the Spartan navyi n the Aegean, and befriended Cyrus, the commander of the Persian forces. (Plutarch, Lysander 2.1; Xenophon, Hellenica 5.3.9). Cyrus provided the funding for the navy.
Definition: mothax (plural mothakes)
a Spartan brought up not in his father’s household.
nauarchos
a Spartan naval commander
What did Lysander do in 406?
in 406, after the Battle of Notium, Lysander worked on winning over leading citizens in the cities of Ionia. (Plutarch, Lysander 3-5)
What happened after Lysander’s time as admiral, and how did he undermine Callicratidas?
After the Battle of Notium, Lysander was succeeded by Callicratidas.
Spartan law didn’t allow an admiral to command for more than a year, so Lysander returned fthe balance of the funds he received from Cyrus, undermining Callicratidas who then had no means to pay his rowers.
This led to Callicratidas blockading the AThenian fleet at Mytilene. (Plutarch, Lysander 6).
What successes did Callicratidas achieve, and what happened to him in 406?
Callicratidas had some success, blockading the AThenian fleet at Mytilene.
The Athenians put together a new fleet and won a victory at Arginusae, where Callicratidas was killed. (Plutrach, Lysander 7)
What happened to Lysander in 405, and what victory did he achieve?
405, Sparta’s allies and Cyrus were eager for Lysander to be re-appointed as admiral, but Spartan law didn’t allow it.
They appointed Aracus as admiral, with Lysander as his deputy, and Cyrus resumed his payments.
Lysander then headed for the Hellespont and won a decisive victory over the AThenians at Aegospotami through clever strategy. (Plutarch Lysander 8-11)
What happened in 404, caused by Lysander?
404, the Athenians couldn’t recover after their food supply was cut off by Lysander’s victory at Aegospotami.
They soon surrendered, marking the end of the Peloponnesian War.
What power did Lysander have as a Spartan nauarchos, and how did he make himself indispensable?
A Spartan nauarchos had immense power, similar to the kings, including the power of life and death.
Lysander mae himself virtaully indispensable through ihs personal friendship with Crysu, whose godowill was crucial for funding the navy.
He formed friendships with citizens in Greek cities, which formed the basis of the councils of 10 through which Sparta governed conquered cities. (Artistotle, Politics 1271a 39-40)
How did Sparta’s constituion contribute to its dominance, according to Thucydides and common ancient sources?
Thucydides notes that for over 400 years, Sparta maintained the same constitution which allowed it to bring about changes in other states.
This solid governement was seen as a key factor in Sparta’s dominance.
The constitution featured:
Hereditary kingship (2 kings)
Oligarchy (a council of 28 for life)
Democracy, where adult male citizens made important decisison and elected the gerousia and ephors.
The ephors acted as a democratic element, elected yearly to oversee the kigns and balance the gerousia.
Aristotle and Plato further discuss the democratic elements such as equal education, syssitia, and the lack of distinction between rich and poor. (Thucydides 1.18; Aristotle, Politics 1294b; Plato, Laws 691-692)
How did individual Spartans come to the forefront, espeically in times of war?
During times of war, individual Spartans, such as Lysander, increasingly emerged as influential figures.
This was particularly true when Sparta was involved beyond its traditional theater in the Peloponnese