Government

Question 1

Mixed Constitution

Answer 1

Dual Kingship: Monarchy
Ephors: Democracy/Tyranny
Gerousia: Oligarcy
Ekklesia: Democratic body

Evidence:

• Great Rhetra mentions dual monarchy, gerousia and Ekklesia
• Aristotle saw Spartan constitution as a balance of democracy and oligarcy

Question 2

Ephorate

Answer 2

• 5 magistrates known as Ephors
• Elected annually from Spartiates, could not be re-elected
• Xenophon, Plato and Aristotle interpreted the Ephorate as the democratic and tyrannical element in the constitution, used to curb on the power of the kings

Question 3

Powers of Ephorate

Answer 3

• Chief administrators and executives of state
• Kept a check on royal powers
• Decided which units would be mobilised in War
• Called meetings of the Gerousia and Ekklesia
• Recieved foreign ambassadors
• In charge of Agoge
• Controlled other Spartan Maggistrates
• Responsible for most civil and criminal cases (Ephors = judge)
• Could arrest and imprison kings
• Organised Krypteia (helot cullings)

Evidence:
“The rule of the Ephors was very powerful and equal to tyranny” - Aristotle

Question 4

Gerousia

Answer 4

• Council of elders (oligarchy)
• Consisted of 28 Gerontes + 2 kings
• Formed aristocratic elite
• Any Spartiate over 60 could be conisdered however in practice was chosen from Aristocratic families
• Gerontes elected for life

Question 5

Powers of Gerousia

Answer 5

• Formed main legislative/judicial power
• Prepared agenda for Ekklesia
• Tried cases involving kings (Gerousia = jury)
• Able to impose penalties, loss of citizenship rights, death or exile
• Deliberated on public policy
• Proposed laws, framed wording of legislation to be approved or rejected by Ekklesia

Evidence:
- Plutarch: “Whenevr an elder died his place should be taken by the man over sixty whose merits were regarded as most outstanding”

Question 6

Powers of Ekklesia

Answer 6

• Assembly of Spartiates (democratic body)
• met monthly
• Elected Ephors and Gerontes
• Made appointments of military commanders, decisions about peace and war, resolutions for problems regarding kingship etc
• Voted by acclamation (yes/no)

Evidence:

• Plutarch states that the assembly was not content on its voting rights and wanted the power to propose or change the wording of motions
• He reports that King Polydoros and Theopompus, obtained fron Delphi an additional clause known as the Rider (added to Rhetra) to limit the power of the people.