What is the Spartan Rhetra?
The Great Rhetra (Greek: Μεγάλη Ῥήτρα, literally: Great “Saying” or “Proclamation”, charter) was used in two senses by the classical authors. In one sense, it was the Spartan Constitution, believed to have been formulated and established by the legendary lawgiver, Lycurgus.
Who were the 5 ephors?
The five ephors are the highest authority in Sparta after the two kings. They are elected annually by the assembly, composed of all Spartan citizens over the age of thirty. Immediately after their election the ephors fulfil a significant annual duty.
What was the purpose of the Great Rhetra?
The Rhetra is an alleged response by the Delphic oracle to the lawgiver Lycurgus around the 9th or 8th century bce. The Rhetra purports to define the powers of the various Spartan groups and individuals just mentioned.
Was Lycurgus a real person?
Plutarch described Lycurgus’ journey to Egypt and claimed that the reformer had introduced the poems of Homer to Sparta. In the light of the conflicting opinions about Lycurgus held by writers before 400 bc, some modern scholars have concluded that Lycurgus was not a real person.
Who is Krypteia?
The Crypteia or Krypteia (Greek: κρυπτεία krupteía from κρυπτός kruptós, “hidden, secret”) was an ancient Spartan state institution involving young Spartan men.
What did Lycurgus do?
Lycurgus is credited with the formation of many Spartan institutions integral to the country’s rise to power, but more importantly the complete and undivided allegiance to Sparta from its citizens, which was implemented under his form of government.
Are the Ephors real?
ephor, (Greek ephoros), title of the highest Spartan magistrates, five in number, who with the kings formed the main executive wing of the state. In antiquity, time periods were recorded by the names of the ephors on a list that dated back to 754 bc.
What did ephors do?
They held power within Sparta by also acting as the Presidents of the assembly and the justices of the supreme civil court as well as controlling army composition. The ephors needed a majority vote to make decisions binding and minority or dissenting decisions were not accepted by the assembly.
What did Lycurgus do for Sparta?
What did the Krypteia do?
…the Spartan secret police, the Krypteia, to patrol the Laconian countryside and put to death any supposedly dangerous helots. Sparta’s conservative foreign policy is often attributed to the fear of revolts by the helots.
How did Lycurgus create the Spartans?
820 BC) was the quasi-legendary lawgiver of Sparta who established the military-oriented reformation of Spartan society in accordance with the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. All his reforms promoted the three Spartan virtues: equality (among citizens), military fitness, and austerity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvwWcvI0Njo