SPARTAN POLITICAL ORGANISATION:
Additionally, the Lycurgan reforms brought forward a new system of government. Ancient historians Plato and Polybius, described this new form of government as a mix of democratic, monarchist, and oligarchist systems, comprised of multiple organs. The government consisted of the Ekklesia, an assembly for all Spartiates over thirty years of age; the Gerousia, an exclusive body of thirty senior Spartiates; the Ephorate, consisting of five ephors elected by the Ekklesia; and the Two Kings. The Ekklesia served as an assembly for all Spartiates; the direct manifestation of the democratic characteristics of the Spartan government. All members of the Ekklesia wielded equal voting power, this power used to; elect the Ephors and Gerousia; and to …show more content…
While the agoge did teach literacy skills, its main focus was physical education; and the development of young men into soldiers fit for military service.
Upon graduating from the agoge at the age of thirty, all men were enlisted in the Spartan Army. New soldiers were inducted into their own personal syssition, with a mix of experienced and inexperienced soldiers. This arrangement allowed for the development of skills of the new soldiers. However, the success of the Spartan army lies in the arrangement of its soldiers. Soldiers were organised into a phalanx, where lines of soldiers with shields and spears would form an impenetrable barrier. This method effectively warded off Sparta’s enemies until the fateful Battle of Leuctra in 371BC. On occasion, the Perioikoi would fight alongside the Spartiates in phalanxes. This strengthens Michell’s assessment that “..there is nothing to show that they (Spartiates) treated the Perioikoi with more than a ‘haughty roughness’...”; as a great level of trust would have been required to allow the Perioikoi into their
Additionally, the Lycurgan reforms brought forward a new system of government. Ancient historians Plato and Polybius, described this new form of government as a mix of democratic, monarchist, and oligarchist systems, comprised of multiple organs. The government consisted of the Ekklesia, an assembly for all Spartiates over thirty years of age; the Gerousia, an exclusive body of thirty senior Spartiates; the Ephorate, consisting of five ephors elected by the Ekklesia; and the Two Kings. The Ekklesia served as an assembly for all Spartiates; the direct manifestation of the democratic characteristics of the Spartan government. All members of the Ekklesia wielded equal voting power, this power used to; elect the Ephors and Gerousia; and to …show more content…
While the agoge did teach literacy skills, its main focus was physical education; and the development of young men into soldiers fit for military service.
Upon graduating from the agoge at the age of thirty, all men were enlisted in the Spartan Army. New soldiers were inducted into their own personal syssition, with a mix of experienced and inexperienced soldiers. This arrangement allowed for the development of skills of the new soldiers. However, the success of the Spartan army lies in the arrangement of its soldiers. Soldiers were organised into a phalanx, where lines of soldiers with shields and spears would form an impenetrable barrier. This method effectively warded off Sparta’s enemies until the fateful Battle of Leuctra in 371BC. On occasion, the Perioikoi would fight alongside the Spartiates in phalanxes. This strengthens Michell’s assessment that “..there is nothing to show that they (Spartiates) treated the Perioikoi with more than a ‘haughty roughness’...”; as a great level of trust would have been required to allow the Perioikoi into their