Question

With Sparta being a military, isolated, small society why would they stick with
Oligarchy?

Answer 1

Answer:The Greek city­state of Sparta was located on the Greek peninsula south of Athens in the middle of the

Peloponnesus, an area of rich farmland. Sparta did not experience the same changes in government

that Athens and other city­states experienced. Sparta remained a military oligarchy while other city­states

shifted to tyrannies and democracies. A military oligarchy is a government in which the military exercises

control over the people. Despite this, the Spartan system of government did share some similarities with

the democratic governments of the other city­states.

The Spartan government was divided into two bodies: the Gerousia, or council of elders, and the Apella,

or assembly. The Gerousia was similar to the Council of 500, and the Apella was similar to the Assembly

in Athens. However, the council of elders in Sparta was smaller and had much more power than Athens’s

council. The Spartan council consisted of only 30 members, selected by the assembly from an eligible

group of citizens who were at least 60 years old. The elders served on the Gerousia for life. The council

submitted all business for the assembly to consider and had ultimate judicial power. It was the only

Spartan court that could pronounce the death sentence or recommend exile. In theory, the Apella was the

final authority on all decisions; however, in practice, the assembly only approved decisions already made by the Gerousia. The Gerousia also included two kings, who had complete authority during times of war.

The Apella consisted of full citizens older than 30. The assembly debated and voted on the issues that the

council of elders submitted for their consideration. Unlike the Assembly in Athens, where all citizens could

speak, only the kings, elders, and other high­ranking government officials could speak during debates.

The citizens on the Apella voted orally on the issues. Although Spartan women could become citizens,

they were not allowed to vote in the assembly.

The large class of enslaved people, known as helots, that lived in Sparta were not considered citizens and

could not participate in government. The helots were people who had been conquered by the Spartans.

Helots vastly outnumbered the Spartans, which made the Spartans continuously afraid the helots would

rise up against them in revolt. Helots were closely controlled, and any suspected slave leaders were

quickly killed to prevent unrest or rebellion. Despite this harsh treatment, enslaved people did have the

right to marry and could eventually buy their freedom.

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