INTRODUCTION
Sparta was one of the most influential warrior city-states in Greek society. They reached the height of power after defeating a rival city-state called the Athenians in the Peloponnesian war which was in 431-404 BC. On loyalty to the state, military service was essential in Sparta. Men were trained to be soldiers for life. Life in Sparta mainly revolved around being a warrior.
GOVERNMENT The Spartan political system had two hereditary mighty monarch kings from two separate families (Agiad and Eurypontid). They were priests of Zeus. The duties of the kings were religious, judicial, and military. They were the chief priests of the state. They ruled along with a council of elders known as the Gerousia. The Gerousia were 28 male members that were over age 60. These men of the Gerousia led the citizen assembly which was the highest court in Sparta. The meeting named Ekklesia met once a month and was open to all citizens who voted by the simple method of shouting out their vote. There was also an executive committee of five ephors which were picked, citizens. They were able to serve for a maximum of one year and who were …show more content…
Women were encouraged to get married around age 20 after their education was complete. Men were encouraged to look for strong spouses so they can produce generations of strong soldiers to supply to the army. The soldiers were given land and slaves by the government so they did not have to work after their military service was complete. They were allowed to purchase and keep the private property on top of the government property. The wives duty was to send men off to war by encouraging them to return victorious with their shield in hand or dead. It was very common for young men to die during war, and this left many widows behind in Sparta. If their husband left them private property, they had a right to keep this land and use it to
Sparta was one of the most influential warrior city-states in Greek society. They reached the height of power after defeating a rival city-state called the Athenians in the Peloponnesian war which was in 431-404 BC. On loyalty to the state, military service was essential in Sparta. Men were trained to be soldiers for life. Life in Sparta mainly revolved around being a warrior.
GOVERNMENT The Spartan political system had two hereditary mighty monarch kings from two separate families (Agiad and Eurypontid). They were priests of Zeus. The duties of the kings were religious, judicial, and military. They were the chief priests of the state. They ruled along with a council of elders known as the Gerousia. The Gerousia were 28 male members that were over age 60. These men of the Gerousia led the citizen assembly which was the highest court in Sparta. The meeting named Ekklesia met once a month and was open to all citizens who voted by the simple method of shouting out their vote. There was also an executive committee of five ephors which were picked, citizens. They were able to serve for a maximum of one year and who were …show more content…
Women were encouraged to get married around age 20 after their education was complete. Men were encouraged to look for strong spouses so they can produce generations of strong soldiers to supply to the army. The soldiers were given land and slaves by the government so they did not have to work after their military service was complete. They were allowed to purchase and keep the private property on top of the government property. The wives duty was to send men off to war by encouraging them to return victorious with their shield in hand or dead. It was very common for young men to die during war, and this left many widows behind in Sparta. If their husband left them private property, they had a right to keep this land and use it to