SOURCE4 Government in Sparta
Government in Sparta
Members of
Two kings
• One led army • One ruled at home
Advised
Advised
Council of elders or Gerousia
• Comprised two kings and 28 respected
Ephorate
citizens over 60 who were elected for life • Membership on basis of achievements • Selected by applause in Apella (popular assembly) • Tried treason cases
Could preside over
• Comprised five men • Elected for one year • Met daily • Responsible for law and order (controlled army and secret police force)
Could preside over
Elected members each year
Assembly of Spartiates
• Comprised citizens (men over 30) • Met every month • Could not discuss anything • Its vote could be overruled • Citizens shouted ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to vote
Called meetings
Referred laws and policies for voting
Referred laws and policies for voting
SkillBuilder discussion Communicating 1. What type of government did Sparta have?
2. How did Sparta’s government differ from that of Athens? 3. What role did the military play in Spartan governance?
4.5.2 Spartan rule Dorians settled in Sparta around 1000 BCE. In the eighth century BCE, Sparta conquered the nearby Laconian plain and Messenia. They made many of the local people, called helots , their slaves and treated them harshly. At ýrst, Sparta had two kings, but by the end of the seventh century BCE, it became an oligarchy. A few powerful families controlled the government. Citizens in the Assembly could only say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to laws, and their votes could be ignored.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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