Origins of the social structure
The social structure of ancient
Sparta was created by the dorians. The three tribes of dorians, who had settled
in the area of Sparta, they had conquered the whole of Laconia[1].
The Spartans then enslaved the non dorians that lived there and declared them
as helots. The in the 8th century the Spartans invaded Messenia and
then reduced them status of helots. Around 650bc the messians gathered an army
to fight back against the Spartans[2].
They started a war that lasted more than 17 years and the Spartan came out
victorious. After the war the Spartans decided to divide their lands and
incorporated the Messenia into their own Spartan territory.
[1] P Bradley, the ancient world transformed: societies, personalities and historical periods from Egypt, Greece and Rome 2014 pg78-79 [2] P Bradley, the ancient world transformed: societies, personalities and historical periods from Egypt, Greece and Rome 2014 pg78-79 Spartiates
The spartiates were the original
Porian conquerors of Laconia, the amount of Spartans in the society never
numbered more then 10 000. The Spartans held all the political power over the
other social classes. Not all the spartiates were rich there were some poor
people among them. All the spartiates lived by a high code that was all about
courage, loyalty, endurance and obedience[1].
They were also forbidden to do any trade, farming and industry as the other
social classes did these activities. To be a spartiati specific requirements
were needed and when they became a spartiate they gain certain privileges these
would include
- Males aged over 30 - Their parents had to be both spartiates - They would have to pass all the stages of the agoge - They owned a kleros - There were never over 10 000 spartiates(Plutarch) - The spartiates help all the political power in their society - They could only engaged in warfare[2] [1] https://sghsancienthistory.wordpress.com/sparta/social-structure/ date accessed: 4/8/15 [2] R skinner Cambridge checkpoints HSC Ancient History 2014 pg. 69-70 |
Inferiors
The inferiors are the lowest class in the social structure. A helot could become an inferior for doing courageous service in war and had received there right of freedom. Spartiates could also become an inferior if they had lost their citizenship from being a coward. People could have also been born in the social class by being the child of a helot mother and a Spartiate father. Another way to become an inferior is for a helot boy to be taken in by a Spartiate family and made they son’s playmate[1]. Men who had failed to complete the agoge or haven’t been maintaining contributions to the syssitia[2]. [1] Get smart: you will succeed! Ancient history, M Estensen pg.33 [2] R skinner Cambridge checkpoints HSC Ancient History 2014 pg. 70 |
Perioikoi
The perioikoi were below the Spartiates in the social structure. They were free but they weren’t citizens. They origins were also from the Dorians, however they weren’t with the ruling group at the time. They were not Spartan citizens but had a lot of freedom. They had the power to govern themselves as long as they did not break away from the Spartan society or join forces with any helots. The perioikoi did have a few responsibilities with the states. They were also required to give military support to the Spartan army. The perioikoi biggest role was to handle the economy. All industry and commerce to do with Sparta was the rightful business of the perioikoi.[1] Other things that were associated with the social class name perioikoi include:
- They were artists, craftsman and traders
- They had the perfect monopoly on trade and manufacturing
- They had the power to rule their own communities however could not form alliances[2]
- loyal to the Spartan superiors
- ephors were in charge of the periokoi’s
- they had no political power
[1] Get smart: you will succeed! Ancient history, M Estensen pg.32
[2] R skinner Cambridge checkpoints HSC Ancient History 2014 pg.70
The perioikoi were below the Spartiates in the social structure. They were free but they weren’t citizens. They origins were also from the Dorians, however they weren’t with the ruling group at the time. They were not Spartan citizens but had a lot of freedom. They had the power to govern themselves as long as they did not break away from the Spartan society or join forces with any helots. The perioikoi did have a few responsibilities with the states. They were also required to give military support to the Spartan army. The perioikoi biggest role was to handle the economy. All industry and commerce to do with Sparta was the rightful business of the perioikoi.[1] Other things that were associated with the social class name perioikoi include:
- They were artists, craftsman and traders
- They had the perfect monopoly on trade and manufacturing
- They had the power to rule their own communities however could not form alliances[2]
- loyal to the Spartan superiors
- ephors were in charge of the periokoi’s
- they had no political power
[1] Get smart: you will succeed! Ancient history, M Estensen pg.32
[2] R skinner Cambridge checkpoints HSC Ancient History 2014 pg.70
Helots
In the Spartan society there were many helots in fact there were up 70% of the entire Sparta population were made up of helots. Spartiates were assigned them and the helots would have to think of them as a master. Helots were in charge of all the agriculture work such as house hold chores. They were the lowest social group in the structure. They were made to give a certain amount of produce to their master. All the leftovers that were harvested was theirs to take.[1] People who were considered helots were/had:
- Lived in family units
- At some point they could be given freedom
- They were state owned
- Had no political rights
- They were feared by the Spartiates because of their sheer number
- Many laws were made to keep control of the helots
[1] Get smart: you will succeed! Ancient history, M Estensen pg.32-33
In the Spartan society there were many helots in fact there were up 70% of the entire Sparta population were made up of helots. Spartiates were assigned them and the helots would have to think of them as a master. Helots were in charge of all the agriculture work such as house hold chores. They were the lowest social group in the structure. They were made to give a certain amount of produce to their master. All the leftovers that were harvested was theirs to take.[1] People who were considered helots were/had:
- Lived in family units
- At some point they could be given freedom
- They were state owned
- Had no political rights
- They were feared by the Spartiates because of their sheer number
- Many laws were made to keep control of the helots
[1] Get smart: you will succeed! Ancient history, M Estensen pg.32-33