Ancient Sparta

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the institutional structures that characterized ancient Sparta and how these institutions affected Sparta's dominance. The first part of the paper looks at the city's political and government structures. The second part focuses on the foundation of Sparta's society the military. The third part of the paper studies the social and class structures that characterized daily life in ancient Sparta.

Outline
Government and Politics in Ancient Sparta
The Spartan Military
Ancient Spartan Society
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Towards the end of the Greek Classical Age (500 - 323 BC), most city-states in ancient Greece had instituted oligarchies or democracies. Sparta, however, continued to retain its two-king system, wherein two kings ruled jointly at all times. Each king came from one of the two Spartan royal families and served to limit the power of the other.
These kings' powers, however, were often overseen by elite political groups. Among these groups were the "gerousia," a council of 30 elders; the "apella," which was composed of freeborn Spartan men; and the "ephors," which was made up of five powerful magistrates."

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