Political System
This was the Spartan council of elders made up of 28 men over 60 plus the two kings.
gerousia
These full Spartan citizens were elite warriors who owned land worked by helots.
Spartiates
This was the compulsory state education and military training system for Spartan boys.
The agoge
This term refers to a plot of land allocated to a Spartan citizen.
kleros
Unlike other Greek women, Spartan women were encouraged to develop this physical quality.
Fitness - physical strength
This annual group of five officials had significant executive and judicial power in Sparta.
ephorate/ephors
These free non-citizens lived in surrounding areas and were responsible for trade and craftsmanship.
Perioikoi
This secret police force was used to intimidate and control the helot population.
krypteia
These agricultural workers farmed the kleroi and provided produce to Spartan citizens.
Helots
Spartan women had significant rights in this area compared to other Greek poleis.
What is land ownership / inheritance?
This Spartan assembly of male citizens could vote on proposals but could not debate or amend them.
ekklesia
These state-owned agricultural labourers were primarily from Messenia and Laconia.
Helots
These common mess groups reinforced equality and discipline among Spartan men.
Syssitia
This unusual form of currency was used in Sparta to discourage wealth accumulation and trade.
Iron bars
This was the main purpose of educating Spartan women physically and socially.
To produce healthy, strong warrior sons.
This foundational Spartan constitutional document is traditionally attributed to Lycurgus.
The Great Rhetra
This term refers to those who had lost full Spartan citizenship status.
Inferiors
This was the main reason Sparta maintained such a strong permanent army internally.
Control of the Helots
This group was primarily responsible for trade, manufacturing weapons, and pottery.
perioikoi
Spartan women could inherit and manage this in the absence of male relatives.
Kleros/kleroi
This was one major limitation on the power of Sparta’s two kings despite their military and religious authority.
Oversight by the ephors/ephors could check their power
Explain how the Spartan social structure reinforced military dominance.
The helots farmed, the periokoi handled trade and crafts, allowing Spartiates to focus entirely on military training and warfare
Explain how the agoge and syssitia helped maintain social and political stability in Sparta.
They reinforced discipline, loyalty to the state, equality among Spartiates, and ensured a permanent professional army capable of suppressing helot revolt
Explain how the Spartan economic system discouraged luxury and economic inequality.
The use of iron bars instead of precious metals, reliance on helot labour, equal land allocations (kleroi), and limited trade reduced wealth differences among Spartiates
Explain how the status of women reflected broader Spartan values.
Sparta valued military strength and stability, so women were empowered to manage property and raise strong citizens while men focused on warfare