Explain the role and privileges of the Spartan Kings
The Dual-Spartan Kings of the Eurypontid and Agiad families, supposedly descendants of Eurysthenes and Procles respectively who were the twin descendants of Herakles, the cultural hero and supposed ancestor of the Dorians
(Not entirely sure if you need all this detail in your judgement. Save all this detail for later), had an integral role in Spartan society. Aristotle
(384-322 B.C.E) (Year is not relevant. Assume the marker already knows who Aristotle is) states (Politics) “The kings of Sparta command the army on foreign expeditions and may supervise religious worship; beyond that their sovereignty [independent power and authority] does not extend.” Through Aristotle, as well as historical accounts from Herodotus, Plutarch and Xenophon, among other sources
(Specify your secondary sources/historians), it is therefore evident that the Spartan kings had significant military, religious and certain political and judicial privileges and responsibilities, indicating that the Spartan kings were essentially glorified and significant military and religious figures with limited political and judicial powers and influences, in contrast to the traditional idea of kings in other ancient societies who had absolute sovereignty over all aspects in their particular societies.
The Spartan Kings had a crucial role in the Spartan military. On campaign, the Spartan Kings were the ultimate authority, appointed as commander-in-chief of the army and had absolute right of deciding life or death in battle. Despite being the ultimate authority on campaign, the kings also had a team of Strategoi
(sing. Strategos), who were military commanders and strategizers equivalent to Roman Centurions that were elected by the Ekklesia and advised the king in war. In war the king had a bodyguard of 300 hoplites, and had the privilege of receiving part of the booty from war. According to Aristotle, the kings ‘commanded the army on foreign expeditions’ and their kingship constituted an ‘independent and permanent generalship’. After the incident between the Spartan Kings Cleomenes and Demaratus around c. 507 BC, where the two Kings had an argument about Athenian democracy during campaign resulting in Demaratus ultimately betraying Sparta and siding with Xerses I of Persia, a legislation was put in place preventing both Kings from going on campaign at once, which prevented any future conflict between kings during campaign
(This feels like storytelling to me. Avoid doing this in Ancient History) in The Histories, book 5, Chapter 75, Herodotus affirms this, stating “When the armies were about to join battle, the Corinthians, coming to the conclusion that they were acting wrongly, changed their minds and departed. Later Demaratus son of Ariston, the other king of Sparta, did likewise, despite the fact that he had come with Cleomenes from Lacedaemon in joint command of the army and had not till now been at variance with him. [2] As a result of this dissension, a law was made at Sparta that when an army was despatched, both kings would not be permitted to go with it”
(I don’t think it’s possible to have a huge quote unless you have photographic memory 
It just looks like you’re trying to make up for the word count. Only pick the relevant areas within your source). This was also a way to prevent both kings from dying in battle, therefore meaning that Sparta’s monarchy was secure as even if one King was killed in battle, the other would remain within Sparta to perform legal and social duties and left someone to control the ever-increasing helot uprisings, deal with foreign visitors, public roads, Spartan inheritance and adoption, and safe-keeping of the oracles, ensuring the Sparta’s stability even while a king has been killed. According to Xenophon, the Ekklesia ultimately decided which particular king led the campaign in war, and despite the kings being the ultimate authority in warfare, two ephors customarily accompanied the king ‘on campaign’ to report on their behaviour, which was another method to prevent any conflict and keep a balance of power.
(Secondary sources/historians needed in this paragraph!!!) Thus, the Spartan Kings had a integral military role in Spartan Society.
The Spartan kings had an essential religious role in Spartan society. The Spartan Kings were believed to be a mortal link to the gods, being descendants of the twin sons of Herakles, Eurysthenes and Procles respectively, and by extension descendants of Zeus, and thus their kingship was divinely legitimized, allowing them to be viewed almost divine-like by the general population through their supposed divine ancestry, making them significant to the religious aspect of Spartan society and the lives of Spartan people. Good or bad fortune was always attributed to the kings, and each month they were responsible for making sacrifices to Apollo for the polis of Sparta. The Spartan kings were considered priests of the patron gods of their respective families, Zeus Lacedaemonius and Zeus Uranios respectively. They carried out sacrifices on behalf of their patron gods, the state gods and prior to leaving for war and before a battle. They always sacrificed to Zeus before every campaign. The kings sent envoys to the Delphic oracle and were responsible for the safekeeping of Oracles
(sources needed for all previous sentences. Try and integrate them into your information). Each king nominated two pythioi (officials) whose duties included visiting Delphi. According to Herodotus in (in The Histories,
bk 6. 57), the kings had many religious privileges. “In peace time their privileges are as follows: at all public religious celebrations they are the first to sit down at the dinner which follows the sacrifice; they are served first, each getting twice as much of every dish as anybody else. Theirs is the right to make the first ceremonial libation, and to them belong the hides of all animals offered in sacrifice.” It is evident through Herodotus that the kings had the right to make the first ceremonial libation, were the first to sit down in the syssition
(mess hall) (assume the marker already know the key terms) and were served first with double helpings at religious festivals and rituals, which even the kings had a responsibility to attend and were not exempt from attending unless with a good excuse and even the hides of the sacrificed animals offered would belong to them
(I don’t think this is a religious role? This is a privilege. I understand that the question is asking for the roles AND privileges but having the religious roles and a privilege altogether in one paragraph is a bit confusing structure and content wise) Herodotus states (in The History of the Persian Wars,
Book VI, ''56-60) that the kings were even publicly mourned for 10 days following their deaths: “after they are dead horsemen go round and announce that which has happened throughout the whole of the Spartan land… Then after they have buried him, no assembly is held among them for ten days, nor is there any meeting for choice of magistrates, but they have mourning during these days.”
(Quote is too long) Therefore, from the evidence, it is evident that the Spartan Kings had great religious significance in Spartan Society, being direct descendants of Herakles and intermediaries between Gods and mortals.
(Secondary sources needed in this paragraph!!)The Spartan Kings had certain political and judicial responsibilities, however, had limited political and judicial powers and influence despite being kings
(Just a slight suggestion but would it be possible to split this sentence up into two sentences? It feels like you tried to mix your judgement and your elaboration). The kings sat as members of the Gerousia
(Council of Elders) and could take part in debates, with both kings having one vote each, however, they had no more power than the other 28 members of the Gerousia. Prior to the 6th Century BC, the Kings had the power to declare war on any country or state that they wished, however, the ability to declare war was then given solely to the Ekklesia (c. 480BC). Herodotus mentions (in The History of the Persian Wars,
Book VI, ''56-60) that “The kings alone give decision on the following cases only, that is to say, about the maiden who inherits her father's property, namely who ought to have her, if her father have not betrothed her to anyone, and about public ways; also if any man desires to adopt a son, he must do it in presence of the kings...”
(Again the quote is far too long) According to Herodotus, the Kings presided over the adoption of children, decided who would marry an heiress whose father had died without betrothing her; all matters affecting public roads, had jurisdiction over roads and highways and managed the distribution of the kleroi
(plot of land, sing. kleros). Aristotle mentions that the Kings effectively controlled foreign affairs by selecting and appointing officials who saw to entertaining foreign visitors. The kings’ power was never absolute. Whenever the kings entered the Ekklesia, all stood, except the Ephors, indicating that the Spartan Kings did not have ultimate authority in Spartan society. According to Thucydides, the Ephors could fine or exile a king if his actions warranted. They could be cited to appear before the Gerousia and Ephors for misconduct and could also be deposed by the people if found inadequate to rule. The Ekklesia also ultimately chose which particular king would go on campaign, as mentioned by Xenophon. The kings had to take an oath every three months before the Ephors to rule in accordance with the laws and every 9 years the Ephors took the omens to see if the gods still favoured the king. The Ephors kept a check on the kings and two Ephors would accompany the kings on campaign to observe their behaviour and prevent any abuse of power
(Source needed). It is evident that despite the significant political and judicial role of the Spartan kings, they had limited political and judicial power compared to their military and religious influence.
(Secondary sources please!)Thus, from the evidence presented, it is therefore evident that the Spartan Kings were, in a sense, mostly glorified war generals and priests, with some political and judicial power and influence, being descendants of the two leading families - the Eurypontids and Agiads, who were supposedly the descendant families of Eurysthenes and Procles, the twin sons of Herakles (Hercules), the cultural hero and supposed ancestor of the Dorians. The Spartan Kings had an integral part in Spartan society, with mainly military and religious but also political and judicial powers, functions and privileges and responsibilities. However, they did not have absolute power in Spartan society and could ultimately be deposed if found to be an inadequate ruler.
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Topic: [Ancient History]: [Explain the role and privileges of the Spartan Kings] (Read 6318 times)