The Spartan Ephorate is often a crucial indication in the context of a development of the Spartan constitution; more precisely the Ephorate compared with the Spartan double kingship. It seems to be communis opinio among scholars to assume a constant development of the institutions in Sparta from monarchic dominated up to the partly oligarchic and partly democratic institutions in the Classical time. The assumptions of many scholars culminate in the conclusion of a declining of the kingship by the rising of the Ephorate as a guard of the kings. This paper tries to answer the question whether there is a rise of the Ephorate and corresponding with a decline of the kingship either in the 6th or in the 5th century BC or not.
Table of Contents
- Ancient democracy beyond Athens
- A rise of the Ephorate and a decline of the kingship?
- Reflections of those incongruities
- To explain and describe the Spartan constitution and institutions
- The Ephorate is not particularly mentioned in the Plutarch text
- But the same king is mentioned in some sources of the 4th century as the inventor of the Ephorate!
- Looking now for the earliest mentioning of the Spartan constitution
- Usually Tyrtaios is dated in the middle of the 7th century BC
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this text is to analyze the Spartan constitution and the role of the Ephorate within it, specifically exploring the question of whether the Ephorate emerged as a result of the decline of the kingship or a separate development. The author focuses on the historical context of the Spartan constitution, examining ancient sources and their interpretations regarding the origins and development of the Ephorate. The text also critically analyzes the dating of key historical events and figures, particularly the Messenian Wars and the poet Tyrtaios.
- The origins and evolution of the Spartan constitution
- The role and influence of the Ephorate in Spartan society
- The development of the Spartan kingship and its relationship with the Ephorate
- The dating of key historical events and figures in Spartan history
- The interpretation and analysis of ancient sources regarding the Spartan constitution and institutions
Chapter Summaries
- The text begins by examining the traditional view of the development of the Spartan constitution, which often posits a gradual shift from a monarchical system to a more oligarchic and democratic one. The author then analyzes the evidence for and against the idea that the Ephorate emerged as a result of the decline of the kingship.
- The author explores different ancient sources and their interpretations of the Spartan constitution, highlighting discrepancies in their perspectives on the origins and development of the Ephorate. This section focuses on the challenge of reconciling conflicting accounts and establishing a coherent timeline for the emergence of the Ephorate.
- The text turns to the works of Plutarch, specifically his "Lycurgus," as a key source for understanding the Spartan constitution. The author critically analyzes Plutarch's account, discussing the potential problems with his methodology and the implications of his presentation of the Spartan rhetra. The author also examines the issue of the Ephorate's mention (or lack thereof) in Plutarch's work and explores the potential for misinterpretation.
- The author delves into the dating of the poet Tyrtaios, whose works are considered an early source for Spartan institutions and political life. The author examines the debates surrounding the chronology of the Messenian Wars and the potential impact of this uncertainty on the dating of Tyrtaios. The author also explores the implications of a later dating of Tyrtaios for our understanding of the Spartan constitution.
Keywords
The key terms and concepts explored in this text include the Spartan constitution, the Ephorate, the Spartan kingship, ancient democracy, Messenian Wars, Tyrtaios, Plutarch, Lycurgus, ancient sources, historical chronology, and interpretation of historical texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central question regarding the Spartan Ephorate?
The paper investigates whether the rise of the Ephorate directly caused a decline in the power of the Spartan kingship during the 6th or 5th century BC.
Who was Lycurgus in the context of Spartan history?
Lycurgus is the legendary lawgiver of Sparta. The paper analyzes Plutarch’s account of Lycurgus to understand the foundations of the Spartan constitution.
Is the Ephorate mentioned in early Spartan texts?
The paper notes that the Ephorate is surprisingly not mentioned in certain key texts, such as specific Plutarch passages, leading to debates about its actual origin date.
What is the significance of the poet Tyrtaios?
Tyrtaios is one of the earliest sources for Spartan political life. The dating of his works (usually 7th century BC) is crucial for understanding when certain institutions emerged.
How does the Spartan constitution differ from Athens?
Unlike the direct democracy of Athens, Sparta had a unique mix of monarchic (two kings), oligarchic, and democratic (Ephors) elements.
What were the Messenian Wars' impact on Spartan politics?
The chronology of these wars is used by scholars to date the development of Spartan institutions and the social structure required to maintain military dominance.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Diana Beuster (Author), 2007, A rise of the Ephorate and a decline of the kingship?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77511
