Aristotle: Constitution of Sparta

Impact

The impact of the constitution of Sparta was felt almost immediately in the city-state. The military was significantly strengthened through the creation of the agoge and the common mess. The Spartan hoplites became the most elite fighting force in the ancient world. Sparta had already become the dominant power in the Peloponnesus as a result of the Second Messenian War. What followed were numerous military triumphs, the most famous of which was in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 bce, when a small force of Spartans made a heroic stand against a much larger Persian force. A year later Spartan military prowess was on display against the Persians in the Battle of Plataea. During the Peloponnesian Wars (431–404 bce), Sparta developed a navy that rivaled that of its adversary, Athens. By the end of the fifth century bce, Sparta was becoming the dominant power throughout the region, though its power began to wane later with the rise of Athens and the increasing number of Helot revolts. Under the constitution, commoners were given a large role in Sparta with the creation of the Damos (an assembly composed of free adult males, who in turn elected the council of elders) and the possibility of being elected to the ephorate. Land was redistributed so that all people, at least in theory, would have equal property rights and thus become equal citizens. This did not last long, but the idea was a radical one nevertheless. All in all, the Spartan constitution helped Sparta become the power that dominated the ancient world and the power that people still remember today.

While it was relatively conservative even by ancient standards, the Spartan constitution provided a model of democracy for others. It was considered one of the greatest forms of government of its day. The Spartan constitution was a model for Athens some 150 years later, when Cleisthenes took it upon himself to reform Athens, much as Lycurgus had done in Sparta. Athens had a council like that of Sparta's, called the boule. Cleisthenes introduced the reform of allowing the people to vote on certain issues and even vote for legislators. In other words, Sparta provided the model, which was then perfected by Athens, and it was from the Athenian constitution that modern democracies evolved.