How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What rules governed the selection of public office holders?
Athens and Sparta were two of the most important city-states in Ancient Greece. Sparta was a military city. Mandatory military service was imposed on all male. So as long as a citizen of Sparta was male and free, he can be considered a member of the assembly. Being part of the assembly meant that members can “pass laws and make decisions war.” However, their power was heavily curtailed by the Ephors and the Gerousia. The Ephors made up the “executive branch” of Sparta government. It consisted of five males (included the two kings) that were elected by the Assembly, Ephors, and Gerousia. “Ephors could only serve a one-year term. Some of their duties included judicial affairs, military organization, and foreign relations.” (Brand, 2010. P. 10). Realistically though, most of the power were held by the members of the Gerousia, an elite elder council. It is the Gerousia that have the final say on all matters. They are the one truly made the decisions that affect the community, while the other group merely share by supporting them.
…show more content…
This type of rule will serve as a precursor to modern Democracy in the western world. Decision making was open to all free male citizens. The weight of a decision was influenced by the level of wealth. For example, a minority group called Thetes comprised one of the top three income groups who served in the politics equivalent to their rank in wealth. There was also a legislative council known as “Boule” that comprised of 500 councilors. Another group, the Metics, were free foreigners that were not allowed to serve politically only