The Oligarchy In Sparta's Form Of Government

234 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Political institution & system

Sparta’s form of government was an oligarchy. Their political system was unusual in that it had two hereditary kings from two separate families. These monarchs were particularly powerful when one of them led the army on campaign. The kings also sat on the council of elders known as the senate (γερουσια). This body consisted of 28, over-60 years of age, males who held the position for life. The γερουσια made the laws, led the citizen assembly, proposing issues on which to vote, and it was also the highest court in Sparta. “Amongst the many changes and alterations which Lycurgus made, the first and of greatest importance was the establishment of the senate, which, having a power equal to the kings’ in matters of great consequence, gave steadiness

Show More
Related

  • Essay on Spartan Culture and Politics as it relates to the Battle of Thermpylae

    1364 Words  | 3 Pages

    The spartan laws, created by Lycurgus, caused obedience to be of the utmost importance and a source of pride for the Spartans. It was one of the defining characteristics of the Spartan ethos; any disobedience to the law was punished severely and without hesitation. The Spartan political system showed great insight by Lycurgus, as it was a mixed government, consisting of kingship, aristocracy, and democracy and provided stability to Spartan politics. “The first and of greatest importance was the establishment of the senate, which, having a power equal to the kings.” (Plut. 5) Spartan citizens are equal under the laws of Lycurgus. Although Kings are considered demi gods and the old revered, their privileges are no greater than a normal Spartan. Spartans, essentially, do not have political equality to the Ephori, the senate, or the Spartan kings, to whom they must remain totally obedient. They are equal in that they are all subject to the law. The senate can counteract the kings giving stability to the commonwealth, the ephori are the supreme power in Sparta, bu...

    Read More

  • Sparta: Infrastructure, Social Structure, and Superstructure

    1515 Words  | 4 Pages

    Spartan culture is a great example of how a society’s infrastructure will directly affect both, its social structure and superstructure. It also serves as a warning that any society that becomes too rigid in its structure and too static in its values will not last long when confronted with more agile and adaptable cultures. This paper will explore why Sparta became the Hellenic army par excellence, how this worked to create a very specific social structure founded on martial values, and, finally, how that social structure would ultimately be the undoing of the culture.

    Read More

  • Sparta: The Militarized City-State of Ancient Greece

    1332 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sparta was a key city state which was located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula in southern Greek, which today is referred to as Laconia. Sparta is historically known for their strong military training, warfare tactics, and numerous victories. This city state included full citizens known as the Spartans, the helots, and the Perioeci. The men of Sparta had a main obligation to become strong warriors, fight with their brothers, and protect against any invasions or attacks. The helots where owned by city state of Sparta. They came from Messenia and were forced into slavery after being invaded by the Spartans in c.735. The helot’s responsibilities included farming, being of help if needed during battles, used as nurses, and for any other task that need to be accomplished. Unlike many traditional slaves, the Messenia’s were given certain leeway. They had

    Read More

  • The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

    521 Words  | 2 Pages

    This new political ordering was the republic. The Greek historian Polybius defines the republic as having three basic parts. The consuls, who were elected by the people, also had to be approved by the senate. The senate, which was made up of patricians. Lastly, the people (roman citizens) who held the ultimate power, as they were the ones who voted. In this manner it was guaranteed that the government must always work in a symbiotic re...

    Read More

  • The Delian and The Peloponnesial Leagues

    1285 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sparta was leader of an alliance of independent states that included most of the major land powers of the Peloponnese and central Greece, as well as the sea power Corinth. The Spartans had a stronger army than Athens. The league was organized with Sparta as the leader. It was controlled by the council of allies which was composed of two bodies; the assembly of Spartians and the Congress of Allies. Each allied state had on vote, regardless of its size or power. No tribute was paid except in times of war, when one third of the military of a state could be requested. Only Sparta could call a congress of the League. Although each state had one vote, Sparta did not have to abide by any decisions the League might have come to on its own.

    Read More

  • How Did The Americans Develop Sparta

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    He made the rich people share with the poor, and after a short while, everyone became roughly equal in wealth. His next step was to take away gold and silver from the people and replace it with iron money, which was jagged and hard. People of other nations found this currency almost worthless, and it wasn’t long before trade ceased in Sparta. At first the people were unhappy, but Lycurgus soon taught them that worldly possessions were of no matter. Lycurgus soon brought changes to the government. He established a senate and added another king. The senate was to keep the government stable. This not only kept a good balance of strong leadership but also gave the citizens what they wanted, since the senate was made up of the elderly wise Spartan folk, whom the people always trusted. In this way, there would be no democracy, nor dictatorship. Lycurgus made sure the Spartan people interacted frequently with each

    Read More

  • Sparta and Athens - Explain and Contrast

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Spartan government had two kings and a council of elders who advised the monarchs. An assembly made up of all citizens approved all major decisions. From child-hood, a Spartan prepared to be part of the military. All newborn were examined and the healthy lived and the sickly were left to die. Spartans wanted future soldiers or mothers of soldiers to be healthy.

    Read More

  • Sparta: The Elite Military Power of Ancient Greece

    2282 Words  | 5 Pages

    In ancient Greece during the 7th and 8th centuries, different armies and cities were fighting for control of land and power. During this time period, it was very gruesome and many people died because different states wanted to expand their control over new territories so they could gain more power. With all the different armies and militaries fighting for control, there was one that stood out as the elite of all militaries, Sparta. Quickly Sparta became known throughout Greece as the most highly disciplined and coordinated militaries in the world.

    Read More

  • Aspects of Spartan Culture

    1595 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sparta contained a four branch government system that was considered among the most unique in all of Greece. Unlike the democracy of Athens, Sparta was based on an oligarchy structure. The diarchy, which consisted of two kings, was the first division of this government. These figures held little influence over the state and served more as a symbol of royal heritage (Kennell 83). The second branch was the Gerousia council which acted as an advising body and hel...

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Sparta And Athens

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Sparta, only citizens could be members of the assembly. Sparta’s assembly was not a democracy it was a dictatorship. Sparta was a unique dual kingship, one king went to war and the other king stayed home. I would venture to describe them more like Generals

    Read More

  • The Senate In The Roman Republic

    1738 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Senate was supposedly created by Romulus who was the mythical first king of Rome who may or may not have existed. (notes) At this point the Senate had very little power and was simply an advisory body of 300 senators. (notes) The senators were referred to as patres (fathers) and made up the patrician class. (notes) In 509 bc the last king of Rome was overthrown by the Senate. The Senate then took responsibility for defending Rome. As a result the senators saw themselves as the true representatives of the Roman people and the defenders of Roman liberty. (notes) The members of the Senate were seen as the true representatives of the Roman people until the breakdown of the census. (notes) In 121 the Senate passed the

    Read More

  • Athens: The Superior Polis Compared to Sparta

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    Athens was a much more superior polis compared to Sparta because the Athenians invented new ideas and creations that supported the people, such as democracy, the Athenians led the Delian League, and Sparta created the Peloponnesian League after the Athenians created their alliance, and the Athenians changed the ways of their government many times to suit the people, and the Spartans did not.

    Read More

  • Ancient Greek Government Essay

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    People have always recognized the need for an authority to exercise control in society. This has taken shapes in many different ways from small groups to formal organizations. The ancient Greeks were no different. The Greeks established cities known as polis, and they had their own governments, which were systems for controlling their local societies.

    Read More

  • Political Differences Between Athens And Sparta

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    Governing has never been an easy task during the times of ancient Athens and Sparta. Both equally were ahead of their time by giving their people an actual voice and weight when making decisions. Unfortunately, neither of these civilizations lasted the great length of time.

    Read More

  • How Did Sparta Obtain The Right To Participate In Public Life And Make Decisions Affecting The Community

    490 Words  | 1 Pages

    How did people in Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community?

    Read More

More about The Oligarchy In Sparta's Form Of Government

Open Document