Aristotle: Constitution of Sparta

Context

Sparta was not always the fearsome military power that it was known to be in its later history. The Spartans suffered numerous defeats at the hands of their enemies. Nevertheless, the Spartans were intent on expanding their influence in the surrounding area. They invaded and subdued neighboring Messenia. Once the Messenians were defeated, they were incorporated into Sparta as slaves known as Helots. These slaves revolted around 670 bce, which led to the Second Messenian War and the further subjugation of the citizens of Messenia to Sparta. Sparta's biggest enemy, however, was the neighboring city-state of Argos. It was the Spartan defeat at the hands of Argos at Hysiae in 669 bce that started the Spartans down the path of reform. Shortly after, Lycurgus was said to have made the reforms that make up the bulk of the new constitution of Sparta, or Great Rhetra, as it is often called. After the reforms of the new constitution, Sparta was strengthened militarily enough to challenge the power of Argos.

Spartan society was radically changed after the reforms of Lycurgus. One of the most sweeping changes was the land-redistribution program. This plan called for all citizens of Sparta to have an equal amount of property. While this system did not last long, Sparta was the only city-state in ancient Greece at the time to have such a program. Another major reform helped Sparta become a great military power. This was the creation of the agoge, an institution by which boys were taken from their homes when they were seven years old and not returned to society until they were thirty and had undergone intensive military training. This military training turned them into the most elite fighting force in the ancient world at that time, the hoplites. The hoplites, named for the shields they carried, were feared by everyone and helped Sparta maintain control over the area for years. It was necessary to have completed training at the agoge to become a citizen. Once a Spartan male was a citizen, he took part in the phiditia, or common mess, where citizens would gather to take part in a communal meal. This system helped strengthen the Spartan army and society as a whole by creating a sense of unity and brotherhood. All these reforms occurred after the Messenian Helots revolted in 670 bce and after Sparta lost to Argos at Hysiae in 669 bce. Had these two events not occurred, Lycurgus might not have been as inclined to reform Spartan society so radically.