Ancient History HSC > Greece: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371BC

Features and structure of the Spartan government: Assembly (Apella or Ecclesia)

The Spartan constitution allowed for 2 kings, 5 ephors, a council of elders (the Gerousia) and an assembly. Only the Spartiates or 'The Equals' could participate in government. With respect to the assembly only those Spartiates who were paying their monthly dues to the mess hall (syssitia) could attend. The Spartan assembly is also known as the Apella or Ecclesia.

Please explore the following Internet sites and write a small report on the powers and responsibilities of the assembly using the seven questions that follow. Email your report to your teacher or utilise this template and submit your report in person.

Spartiates
 

1. Definitions of the Spartan Assembly @ (i) Wikipedia (ii) About.com (iii) Glossary at USYD (iv) The 1911 Encyclopedia

2. In this article about the Gerousia of Sparta there is an extensive description of the Ecclesia at Sparta (A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890) (eds. William Smith, LLD, William Wayte, G. E. Marindin). This account contains an interesting account of the possible origins of the ephorate.

3. There is a description of the Spartan Ecclesia at the foot of this article by Harry Thurston Peck. It follows an extensive description of the Athenian assembly. Do not confuse the two.

4. Sparta ( Ancient History Source Book)(11th Brittanica Sparta. You will have to search within the article to find references to the gerousia.)

5. The Spartan System. A very brief description. Scroll down the page to locate it. Also describes the Ephors, Kings, and the Gerousia.

6. Contrast of Athens and Sparta. Scroll down the page to see the brief notes on the Apella.

7. Sparta in the Sixth Century BC. Some lecture notes on Sparta. Scroll down to read the three paragraphs devoted to the Spartan assembly.

8. NSW HSC Online: Features of the Spartan Government.

1. Describe the role of the Spartan assembly within the Spartan constitution.

2. Who could attend the Spartan assembly? Who could not?

3. Who managed the Spartan assembly?

4. Who could speak to the Spartan assembly?

5. What actions could the members of the Spartan assembly take?

6. What were some of the important decisions that could be made by the assembly?

7. Where was the assembly held?