Spartan Government1. Sparta had two kings

- They commanded the army - They conducted religious ceremonies

2. All other government matters run by Ephors- Elected annually, cannot repeat in office- Negotiated with other states, supervised assembly and

the educational system and ordered the sending out of army

Spartan Government (con’t.)3. Council of Elders (Spartan Senate)

- Men over 60- Advised the ephors (also inspected newborns)

1. City-states were small compared to other civilizations, so many times wars resulted in alliances forming

2. All Greek city-states used the same battle formation: hoplite phalanx

3. Therefore, the Greek soldiers were called hoplites

Greek Military Summary

Athens Military 1. Had a full-time army, but most men worked for a

living as farmers or merchants2. When 18, men joined army for two years of training3. When 20, men then joined the army reserves

- Some soldiers continued into full-time army service, but not most

Sparta Military1. Life in Spartan was difficult both physically and

mentally2. Government officials decided which babies were

strong enough to live - “Unfit” babies were left in caves to die

3. Only occupation was to be a soldier

Sparta Military (con’t)4. At 7, boys lived/trained in barracks5. Retired from the military at age 606. From 18 – 30 men devoted all their time to army7. At age 20, men had to kill a helot without getting

caught to pass initiation