Spartan Politics

Sparta had a Political organisation unlike many other Greek states at that time that drew upon elements of all types of Government structures. The Spartan constitution contained elements of monarchy, oligarchy and democracy and was described by ancient writers as a mixed constitution. The four elements were made by the two kings (monarchical), Gerousia (oligarchic), the Five Ephors (limited Democratic) and the Ekklesia (democratic). This system all came about from the work of the law-giver named Lycurgus who is acclaimed to have received the Rhetra from the Delphic Oracle and impose it upon Sparta, However even his existence is under debate between historians past and present such as Xenophon and Plutarch.

The monarchical component of the Spartan Government is made up by the Two Spartan Kings. This duel Kingship could have originated during the ninth century B.C, However other Historians argue that this was established to prevent one King becoming two powerful. These two hereditary kings held Office for life at the head of the Spartan State and their roles and privileges came from three main functions in Military, Religious and Judicial/Political. The Kings main role in Military could vary between the Kings. The Kings were supreme me commanders of the army yet only one led the campaign while the other one stayed in Sparta. Ancient Historian Herodotus claims this was after Cleomenes and Demaratos in 510 BC the two kings that had disputes. However Xenophon notes that it was the Ekklesia who chose what King went on the campaign. However there were some privileges of being a king when being in charge of the military the King had a personal bodyguard of 300 hoplites (Xenophon) and the King would receive rewards in the form of booty collected from victories. Nevertheless If they didn’t perform their duty in the field of battle well the Ephors could fine or exile a king if his actions warranted it (Thucydides)
Religion also played a main part of everyday Spartan life