Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
1
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Spartan Society to the Battle of
Leuctra
“Herodotus considered the Spartans so odd that he gave them the sort of
ethnographic treatment that he usually reserved for no-Greeks” Todd
The influence of the geographical environment
Location

Sparta lay in the Peloponnese

Eurotas River (Sparta lies on the river bank)

Mt Parnon was a range to the east of Sparta

Mt Taygetus was the range to the west (east of Messenia)

Arcadia is the remote centre of the Peloponnese – mountainous range that is
the source of the river

Isthmus is the narrow area of land to the north-east – Corinth

Laconia and Messenia were the regions outlying.

Messenia to the west of Taygetus and Laconia between Taygetus and the
Eurotas River.

Isolation

Three mountain ranges and jagged coastline surrounding Spartan city.

Climate

Mediterranean climate

Hot near coast, cooler inland

Heavy rainfall in winter

Ice and snow in winter
Sparta had five original villages
1. Obai
2. Limnai (Nth East)
3. Kynosoura (south)
4. Mesoa (Central)
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5. Pitana (Nth West)
6. Amyklai (far south)
Governmental structure

General overview

Fusion of Monarchy, oligarchy and democracy

Primarily a military state and required army authority
Kings

Diarchy

Two kings

Descendants from Agiadai and Euripontidae families

Founder Leaders

Considered to be the most important priests

Limited in regal power

Lost power after establishment of Ephorate

Military power

Kings were “not a sovereign over everything” – Aristotle

“Hereditary generalship for life” – Aristotle

Kings had sole right to declare war, expected to go first in to battle and
return last and were held responsible for the failings of the army

Privileges

Double rations

Had a special guard

They had a religious function

Consulted the oracles

Were given as many cattle as they wanted

Reserved seats at public venues

The heir to the king was the first son born during his reign

The heir was except from the laws that made Spartans equal

He was not obliged to obey orders

No expected to go through Agoge as failure would be humiliating for
the future king

Made up part of the Gerousia
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Teacher : Carnovale
“Enjoyed a status that was not achieved but endowed” - Osborne
Gerousia

28 members + the two kings

Role

Prepare and present proposals for the vote of the ecclesia and
advise the Kings

Maintain the balance between democracy and tyranny

Appointment through the Great Rhetra

Uncertain when it was first instigated, but most Ancient
historians cite Lycurgus

Suggested that the powers may date to the first Messenian war

Authority

When Gerousia made propositions and the assembly made
changes to these, the Gerousia could withdraw the proposal

Instigated through the rider

Degradation of importance

Senile elders

Aristotle criticizes, questions whether they should have a
lifelong influence when they could be subject to bribery and
favouritism as well as senility

Homoioi

There was aristocracy in Sparta

Gerousia was made up of “aristocratic houses”

Gerousia was an oligarchy – had the power without the input of
the people up until the time of the ephorate.
Ephors

Role

Introduced to “limit the regal power of the Gerousia” –
Ehrenburg

Ensure the smooth running of the Spartan state

Power over state affairs, including the army and Agoge and
absolute power over the magistrates
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Supervised the life of the people and to apellaze (call the
assembly)

Controlled the Krypteia

Called on the army to fight

Later, two Ephors would accompany the kings on campaign

Watch for divine signs that the king’s reign should end –
watched the sky and if they saw a shooting star, the king’s reign
would be suspended

Supreme jurisdiction and the “right to punish whomsoever they
choose” - Xenophon

Appeasement of the people

The king’s power would now last longer because he yielded
power to the people

Did not reduce power of the monarchy, but ensure its
perseverance

Structure Five men who were elected yearly from the ecclesia

Origin Aristotle and Plutarch concur that it as instituted 130
years after Lycurgan reform

May have originally been a council of royally appointed officials
– evolved to become the most powerful group in Sparta

Criticism As the ephorate was open to all Spartan men, it was
open to those who were poor and thus susceptible to bribery

Apparently without the restriction of birth

An element of democracy

Warrior assembly open to all Spartiates over 30

It is from these that the ephors are elected

Ecclesia were summoned to meet between the river Knakion
Ecclesia
and Babka Bridge

Issues- War and peace

Alterations to laws
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Teacher : Carnovale
Right to respond to any proposal put forward by the Gerousia
but the rider states that of they altered the proposal negatively,
the Gerousia could withdraw it.

The Spartan were denied all real power

Tokenistic gesture of appeasement

Tyranny

Sparta was against Tyranny as much as it was democracy

Tyranny was a step towards democracy as tyrants gave
concession to the people.

Sparta believed if there was tyranny the helots may expect a
say just as they would if there were democracy.
Military State

Military elite Appearance

The men looked impressive

Long hair

Muscular appearance

Red cloaks

Intimidating to an enemy

Hoplite revolution 650BC

New type of fighting

Heavily armed infantrymen

Perfect understanding of the battle

Middle class revolution

Not on horse back – expensive for the elite

Everyone could afford to fight

Phalanx
Troop formation Frontline against frontline - pushing
Colonisation of Taras
Two theories that explain the one and only colony of Sparta
1The men could not afford to pay for training, and thus could not invade Messenia
were named helots and denied citizenship. Children born during the war must have
been born of Helots, as all the other men were at war. These children were the
Parthaneai – “Sons of virgins” – and had no citizenship. This was an entire
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generation out of place. The Parthaneai started to revolt but the revolution was
discovered and they were sent away to Taras to form a colony.
2The women who were left behind during the war complained about not having
children produced. So the young and robust men were sent back and ordered to
sleep with the virgins and produce a generation of children. These were named the
Parthaneai or “sons of virgins”. The Parthaneai were not given citizenship and rose
up in anger. There were given the opportunity to go to Taras but they could return
and be given 1/6 of the land claimed from Messenia for the Parthaneai.
Military Way of life
The reputation of the Spartan hoplite was well established.

Their equipment was excellent, especially compared to that of
non-Greeks.

They had willpower and no fear of dying on the battlefield; to
die in this way was the greatest honour a Spartan could hope
for.

At the back of every Spartan's mind, as he prepared for battle,
lay the words of Spartan women ...that a Spartan hoplite
should return home carrying his hoplon or being carried on it!

When retreating, a hoplite discarded his hoplon (shield) as it was
very cumbersome when attempting to run.

To retreat was, for a Spartan, unthinkable. Hence the loss of a
shield was considered cowardice.

If a Spartan was killed in battle, his comrades carried his body
on his Hoplon back from battle for burial.

Comradeship in the Spartan army was extremely strong.
According to Spartan tradition, Lycurgus had been most
particular in fostering it.
Spartan Social Structure
Helots
The origin of the Helots

The Spartans who did not take part in the Messenian War
were adjudged to be slaves and named helots

Derived from hel- meaning to capture
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Notes on Sparta

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Teacher : Carnovale
Helot derived from Helos a town in Laconia that was
conquered and destroyed by the Spartans.

Function of helots

Local inhabitants of areas of Messenia and Laconia owned by
Spartan state

They were not chattel slaves and did not belong to a person

They belonged to a property and stayed with their family

Helot rebellion of 464

The great earth quake

Helots seized the opportunity to rise up

Called allies to put an end to the helot uprising

Called for Athens help then ignored the help, as they did not
trust democratic Athens

Krypteia came about as a result of this
The Krypteia – secret police

Youth organisation (20 years of age)

Marry or join Krypteia

Helot control task force

Go into Messenian territory

Ambush and kill helots

Strong, tough, brave or smart Helots that might cause an
uprising

Crown then like they were free, then kill them

Sparta declared war on the helots every year so that they could
continue to kill them at their own will

“There is nothing to match either the freedom of the free man at
Sparta or the slavery of the slave” – Plutarch

Only helots and Perioikoi worked
Perioikoi
-
Agora

Meeting place

Public gathering
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Freedom

Each town was able to self-govern

Providing it did not break away from Spartan policy

However, the Perioikoi had no decisions when it came to war
and foreign policy.
-
Production

The Perioikoi became simple after having to produce simple
products for the Spartans


Furniture was wooden

Metal work was les skilled than in other areas of Greece
Perioikoi had adjoining land that they were free to work
themselves
-
The villages served as a buffer zone or escaping helots
-
They were not permitted to intermarry with Spartans
-
They owned allegiance to Sparta
-
Those along the coast were fishermen, and ship builders
-
Spartan kings revenue came from their estates in the land of the
Perioikoi
-
They were expected to serve as hoplite but were not formally trained
Social roles

Illusion of homoioi
-
Spartans followed the belief that everyone was equal – homoioi
-
This was not the reality

King and kings children were exempt from the laws that made
Spartiates equal

There was a Spartan aristocracy ( see Political System)
Men in Sparta
-
Birth

Father could chose to expose baby or allow it to live

Baby became possession of the state

Education began before birth


Eugenic breeding
Spartan babies do not cry
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Notes on Sparta
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
Best nurses

Washed in wine – ritual, toughened skin

Toughened to emotional decisions
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Agoge

Rearing, upbringing (cattle imagery)

Age of 7, distributed into herds (troops)

Live together as a group with little contact with parents

Encouraged to fight among themselves in order to gauge their
abilities



Given less food than they need

Encourage them to steal

Punished if caught

Encourage stealth and cunning
Age of 12, training gets harder

Are denied a cloak – harden them

Only rarely get to bathe
child leaders

Paidonomos – boy herdsman, Trainer, Chief

Eirene – 20 years old, almost through Agoge, leaders
for each troop

Melleiren – 18-20 years old, prospective Eirenes
Training

Training was mainly athletic and military

There was the singing of traditional songs
Homosexuality

Youngsters are supposed to attach themselves to older boys

Relationships encouraged


Experimentation

Love for comrades – more faithful on battlefield
however, they were expected to marry and reproduce
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Teacher : Carnovale
Syssition (anareia, messes)

Continued attack on luxury

Common messes

Eat together

Eat the same

“Prevented them from spending the time at home, lying at table
on expensive couches, being waited on by confectioners and
chefs, fattened up in the dark like gluttonous animals, and ruining
themselves physically as well as morally.” - Plutarch

Barley allowance – “70 medimni for men, 12 for his wife” Plutarch

Part of this is payment to the syssition

Syssition structure

Group of 15 men (no women or children)

Monthly contribution: “1mina barley-meal,
Eight choes wine,
Five minas of cheese,
Five half-minas figs” – Plutarch

“Anyone who had made an offering of first fruits or had
been hunting sent a share to the mess” – Plutarch

Rules

If he was out late hunting, he could eat at home
o King Agis returned from campaign but his portion
would not be sent home to him. The next day, he
was fined

Boys taken into syssition as part of training

Witnessed what was appropriate entertainment for men

“ability to take a joke would seem to be very Spartan” –
Plutarch

Helot might be brought into the syssition to be made
drunk and made example of to young men

Joining a syssition

Cannot be a citizen unless you are part of a syssition
o Gave you full citizenship rights
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Notes on Sparta
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

People would thrown bread at a bowl

If all were as is, he was accepted

If one was squeezed tight, he would not be allowed

These were men who had just gone through the Agoge
Hair was worn long

Long after passing through Agoge

Looked good in battle
Lean and muscular

Spartans had a reputation for looking good
Oliganthropia

-
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Appearance

-
11
Shortage of men in war times
Archaeology

Masks to wear for rituals, events in life

Education

Certain amount of physical training with boys

Racing, dancing, javelin, discus

Dancing and singing competitions

Learning to play the lyre

Recite poetry

Dancing
Women
Function of women

Different to activities in other Greek states

Weaving and spinning was done by helots

Very little family duties, as boys and men were away at the
barracks

All food was provided by helots, and men ate at the syssition

Produce babies

Produce men as soldiers for Sparta

Produce women to produce men in the future

“The pride of a Spartan woman was to be the mother of
a truly courageous member of the Equals” - Barrow
-
Child bearing
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Teacher : Carnovale
Women must be active and healthy to produce healthy babies

“How can one expect girls brought up like this [a
sedentary lifestyle] to give birth to healthy babies” –
Xenophon

“Exercise the girls’ bodies…so that the embryos formed
in them would have a strong start in strong bodies and
develop better.” - Plutarch
-
Reputation
Physical

Reputation for great beauty

Reputation of great physical strength

Aristotle claims that Lycurgus gave up on women

Athenian opinion that women were out of control

Women had power over men:
Power
“You Laconian women are the only ones who can rule men.”
“That is because we are the only ones who give birth to men”
Foreigner to wife of Leonidas – Plutarch
No Political power

Excluded from sharing public office

No right to vote
Wealth

Women could inherit land

By 5th Century women owned 2/5 of the land

Jewellery

Forbidden to wear any jewellery or adornment

Not allowed to use perfume or cosmetics
Dress
Clothing

Unattractive clothing

Material not dyed – forbidden except for crimson cloaks of
warriors

Nakedness- Walked in parades naked to take away fear of
exposure to the air
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“Nor was there anything shameful in this nakedness” – Plutarch
Marriage

Naked parades

Put the idea of marriage into their minds

Marriage by capture

Captured by prospective husband

Shaved her head, dressed her as a man

Meeting

Were to use stealth to meet

If they were caught, they would be punished

If she became pregnant without other people knowing, they would be
praised

Adultery- There was no such notion as adultery in Sparta

A man could ask permission to sleep with a man’s wife

If the couple could not conceive, another man could “assist” so the
couple could be seen to have reproduced

Eugenic breeding- The best bred with the best
Inferiors

Loss of citizenship due to lack of bravery when fighting

Illegitimate birth

Freed helots

Adopted playmates
The economy

Industry and trade- Spartans were forbidden to engage in trade.

They were also forbidden to travel abroad, except on state instructions.

Foreigners were not admitted to Sparta without supplying a very good reason
for doing so.

This was to prevent the citizens from being corrupted by foreign ideas and
morality.

As the Spartiates (Spartans) were forbidden to engage in trade, the
Perioikoi gained considerable "wealth".
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Notes on Sparta

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Teacher : Carnovale
However the development of a wealthy merchant class in Sparta was
hampered by Sparta’s adherence to the iron coinage mentioned by Xenophon

One reason why wealth was less desirable lay in the fact that Sparta's
authorities refused to adopt the system of making silver into coins in the
manner of other Greek cities.

Instead she continued to use unwieldy iron bars for money. Such a clumsy
currency discouraged trade between Sparta and other city states.

Trading in such a medium was, on one hand, unwieldy, while on the other, silver
was clearly preferable to iron.

Trade- Gytheon was the main port (but Sparta was not a major exporter)

In Swinging Sparta, would export iron spits

Imports

Tin and copper was needed to make bronze

Production- Olives, Grain, Goats, Timber, Marble, Iron

Fish, octopus

Red dye from octopus for military clothing
Death and Religion

Funeral rites for kings- Death was announced throughout the land

Women going through the city beat cauldrons

Perhaps a traditional from frightening away evil spirits

One man and one woman in each household had to put on mourning
clothes or would be heavily fined.

Spartans, Perioikoi and helots were obliged to attend the funeral

They beat foreheads as a sign of grief, wailing and moaning

Cried that the dead king was the best king that they ever head.

Function of Religion

Necessary to please the gods

If you do something for them, they’ll do something for you

Crops, fertility, prosperity

If you don’t do things for them, you will be punished

Gods require sacrifices

Identity for a person and for a people

Social cohesion
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Notes on Sparta

Holidays

Recreation

Food

Drink
15
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Teacher : Carnovale
Hero worship

Hercules

Caster and Polydeuces- Sons of Zeus, born from an egg

Hero warriors and hunters

Belief in spirits and the underworld

Sacred animals -snakes

Gods-Spartans shared similar Gods with Athens
Spartan Festivals
Carneia

Celebrated in August marking the harvest of the grape crop

Young men called “staphylodromoi” – grape cluster runners
pursued a garlanded man whose capture brought good luck

Karos was a horned fertility God, later assimilated into the cult
of Apollo Karneios

Spartans suspended military operation during Carneia,
explaining their delay to Marathon in 490 and limited numbers at
Thermopylae in 480.
Gymnopaedia

Several days at the end of July

Connected to Apollo – possible a thank offering for military
success

Singing, dancing, gymnastic display of naked boys
Hyakinthia

Celebrated at Amyclae in late May, early June for around ten
days

Most important festival

Dedicated to Apollo – Hyakinthos was a youth loved by
Apollo who was accidentally killed by Apollo throwing a discus.
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
Military operations suspended during Hyakinthia

Celebration had two stages

Rites of sorrow and mourning. Rhythmic wailing and chanting.
Mourning for the loss of youth. Ban on wearing of garlands.
There were offerings to the dead. A ban on eating cakes and
bread. Special funeral meal.

Rejoicing in honour of Apollo. Wearing of wreaths. Choirs,
young boys playing lyre or singing, dances. Singing the paean.
Festive meals. Procession to Amyclae.

City is emptied for Hyakinthia as they all go to Amyclae to
celebrate.

Death was only worthy if you dies on campaign or in childbirth

You only had your name inscribed if you died in this way
Cultural Life

Myths and Legends

Art

Bronze 750-650BC

Geometric

Simple

Animals

Almost post-modern representations of animals and people

8th Century BC “seated man”

Figures of women

How women dressed

Ivory and bone carvings

Reflections of powerful and predatory animals

Hunting themes

Soldiers and military themes

Use of ivory ended c. 600BC (it had to be imported from Syria or Egypt –
growth of Xenophobia and barrack Sparta in 6th Century.

Ibex grazing – ivory comb: swinging Sparta

Head of solder: Barrack Sparta

Painted Pottery – made in Laconia for Sparta or exported to Africa
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
Laconian II 630 – 575 BC

Prior to Barrack Sparta

Sumptuous lifestyle

Animal prints

Nature

Symmetry

Some geometric shapes

Laconian III 575 – 550BC

Just prior to Barrack Sparta

Finest designs of all Laconian pottery

People instead of animals

Scenes of action

Complex patters and designs

Mythological figures

Beautiful body, shape of figures

Commissioned for certain market: African themes in Arcesilas cup, dockside
preparation, attempt at a genuine African feel

Laconian IV 550-500BC

Start of Barrack Sparta

Focus on military

Hunting, warriors

Focus on body and military valour

Religious archaeology

Sanctuary and temple of Artemis Orthia

Temples dating from 570BC

Carved ivories, limestone reliefs,

Offerings by pregnant or barren women, thank offerings for successful birth

Menelaus

Shrine to Helen and Menelaus

Pre-Dorian Greeks

Return on the Heraklids
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Poetry
Tyrtaeus Middle of 7th Century

Poet of “barrack Sparta”
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Types of poetry Marching songs
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“Eunomia” “good order”
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Writing style -Elegiac metre
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Usefulness- Earliest and most explicit writing of practice and values of hoplite
warfare
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Ideas rejecting the aristocratic ideal of physical excellence, eloquence or
wealth
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Strong supporter of monarchy

Talked of city as being more important than the individual
Alcman- Poet of “swinging Sparta”
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Carefree, beauty-loving, intellectual interest and wide geographical horizons
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Early 7th century OR late 7th century
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Types of poetry
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“Maiden Songs”
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Choruses to be sung and danced to
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Hymns for male voices
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Usefulness-Retold Homeric stories

Keen and close observer of situations around himself

Gives details
Literature
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Ancient: Writers with an Athenocentric background
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Herodotus – Athenian; work was coloured by the relationship between
Athens and Sparta. Writing 480-79BC. Persian Wars
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Thucydides – Spartan secretiveness made it impossible for thorough
analysis. Peloponnesian wars 432-404BC

Plutarch – writes about Barrack Sparta, the memory of barrack “swinging”
Sparta was eclipsed by Barrack Sparta. “Life of Lycurgus” was a biography
not a history but it is our best story of Spartan society. Inaccuracies in text:
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Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
19
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Plutarch says that Lycurgus declared gold and sliver coinage was to be
abolished, yet there was no coinage in Greece at this time

Stereotype-Sparta is considered odd as it is compared with Athens

Athens is our image of a Greek Polis – Sparta is the anti-type

Xenophobia-Sparta was immensely secretive – Particularly in Barrack
Sparta

Fear of people of other nationalities
Lycurgus
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Stasis
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Political turmoil in Sparta
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Lycurgus was called to help with stasis
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There was a need for sweeping changes
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Lycurgus-Human or divine?
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“Dear to the Gods”, “God rather than man” – Plutarch
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Went to Delphic oracle to decide what to do
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Eunomia – good order
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Phoebus (Apollo) requested the Rhetra

Made it appear as if the reforms were sanctioned by Delphi

Three reforms
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Gerousia

Would be able to propose and withdraw laws

But the people could change them
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Great Rhetra
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Rhetra is any Spartan (spoken) law
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Spoken so it can be altered or manipulated to fulfil what the leader requires
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The Great Rhetra- Foundation constitution
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Set up the Spartan system
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“But to the people should belong the right to respond”
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The Rider-An addition added to the Rhetra – allows the Gerousia additional
power
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“If the people should make a crooked choice, the Elders and the founderleaders are to set it aside”

Land redistribution
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Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
20
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale

There had been “dreadful inequality”
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Distributed the land so that there would be no distinctions
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Part of the sumptuary laws to curb luxury
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Syssition and sumptuary laws
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Sumptuary laws
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Barrack Sparta – 550BC
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Preventing luxurious living
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Luxury did not allow good soldiers
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Ensure equality
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Food distribution
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Supply of barley and fresh produce
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Enough but no more
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Eunomia-Balanced and harmonious system
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Ideal of harmony in a political system
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Declared by Oracle
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Declared “that God granted this and promised that his constitution would be
the finest” - Plutarch
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Against the law for laws to be put on paper
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The writing down of laws was a step towards democracy

Lycurgus believed that laws should be learnt by heart – so people did not
become lazy
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Penalties for law breaking
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Loss of citizenship
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Not paying syssition fees
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Not attending syssition
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Citizens worked for community

“Altogether he accustomed citizens to have no desire for a private life, nor
knowledge of one, but rather to be like bees, always attached to the
community, swarming together around their leader, and almost ecstatic with
fervent ambition to devote themselves entirely to their country.” – Plutarch
Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
21
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Lives
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Lifestyle No Spartan was permitted to live as he pleased
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Strict lifestyle
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Price paid to remain as an elite warriors force supported by slave labour.
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Festivals- Provided the only holidays the Greek people had
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At least 30 days per year were dedicated to festivals
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Celebrations-Singing, dancing, competitions
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Women and children took part as well as men
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Music and dance
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Music- Connected with military excellence
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Musical competitions
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Valued old songs and works of old poets
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Poetry was recited to the flute or lyre
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Dance-Co-ordination – athleticism
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Traditional dances
Lyric poetry
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Celebrate and honour Sparta in syssition
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Alcman – “Swinging Sparta” poet
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Tyrtaeus – “Barrack Sparta” poet
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Recited to music or lyre or flute
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Decline in the arts noticeable after the Persian Wars
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Hunting-Sport as well as gathering food
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Echo basic ideas of battle
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Plutarch refers
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Scenes on pottery
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Fits with ethos of athleticism
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Conversation-Laconic speech
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Flogging contest-Endurance
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Statue of honour to the boy who held out the longest

May have been a form of initiation ceremony
Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
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file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Spartan War and foreign policy
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Spartan Imperialism
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Territorial controls – battles
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Spartan becomes the hegemon
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Hegemonial position
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Power over its allies
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Persian War-Greeks States joined together to defend Greece from
Persia

480-479BC
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Sparta led the Greek states
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31 states

Athens gave Sparta control of her navy

Greek victory

Athens liberated States from Persian rule and put then under
Athenian rule

478BC

Sparta allowed Athens to colonise
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Battle of Thermopylae
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Cutting of the Persians from the Peloponnesus
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Peloponnesian War

Athens vs. Sparta and Allies

27 years: 431-404

Athens was a navy giant

Sparta was an army giant

Formation of Peloponnesian League
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Individual cities bound themselves to Sparta
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The other states have protection by Sparta and from Sparta

There was a League Congress, but Sparta had veto power

Sparta was victorious

Growth of military

Had no navy

Would have to post people overseas, leaving Sparta open to
revolution from the helots
Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
23
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Had to have a strong military to protect herself
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Keep helots under control
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Battle of Leuctra
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Lost in 371AD
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Loss of true, Great Sparta
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
The Peloponnesian War
From Thucydides – the Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian League
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Peloponnesian War

Athens vs. Sparta and Allies

27 years: 431-404

Athens was a navy giant

Sparta was an army giant

Formation of Peloponnesian League

Individual cities bound themselves to Sparta

The other states have protection by Sparta and from Sparta

There was a League Congress, but Sparta had veto power

Structure
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Bi-Cameral – two chambers

The Spartan Ecclesia (only this chamber could initiate
Peloponnesian policy)
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The allies – including Spartan representatives
Stage One

A member of the league has a problem
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The delegates must be together and go to Sparta
Stage Two

Ecclesia meets and the delegates are able to put forward their
problems to Sparta
Stage Three

Allow the complaints to be made against Athens

Athens then has the chance to speak to defend themselves

Foreign delegates leave and Spartans alone make the decision
Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
24
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale
Stage Four
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The question is put to the Ecclesia

Voting by acclimation (cheering)

On this occasion, the ecclesia was divided equally so that it was
clear that it was the will of eth ecclesia that the were to go to war.
Stage Five

Summoned the delegates

Tell the delegates that the ecclesia has made its decisions and
the allies should go home and rally support

Want allied assembly to be in full unanimous support
Stage Six

Calling of allied assembly

Corinthians getting the final word

Before voting of assembly, the differences between Sparta
and Athens were discussed
Stage Seven

Voting of all the allies, city by city

Majority voting for war

Will prepare for war individually
Definitions

Perioikoi – dwellers around the city-state

From less dominant cities

All answerable to Sparta

Traders, potters, jewellers
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Poleis (polis) – city state (made up of chora and astu)

Chora – outlying districts of the city

Astu – city centre

Politeia – citizenship

Helots – slaves (see above)

Lacedemonians – Spartiates + Perioikoi

Pythia – interpreter of the words of the oracle – Apollo

Apellaze – an assembly coming together
Lisarow High School
Ancient History
Notes on Sparta
25
file : Notes
Teacher : Carnovale

Kleroi (lots of land
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Medimni – unit of measurement

Laconic speech – sharp, to the point, full of wit

Skytale – device for sending messages in secret. Leather strip wound around a
staff and written on. Only could be read if a staff of the same size was used