Was Sparta an oligarchy?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the political system of Sparta can be classified as an oligarchy. This involves understanding the characteristics of an oligarchy and how they apply to Spartan governance.
Answer
Sparta was an oligarchy.
The final answer is that Sparta was an oligarchy.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that Sparta was an oligarchy.
More Information
Sparta’s oligarchy was characterized by a dual kingship and a council of elders (Gerousia) composed of 28 men over 60 years old. This system enabled a few powerful individuals to dominate the political landscape.
Tips
A common mistake is to oversimplify Sparta’s government as purely an oligarchy, whereas it also had elements of monarchy and democracy.
Sources
- Wikipedia Article on Sparta - en.wikipedia.org
- Spartan Government: The Oligarchy of all the Oligarchies - libraryforkids.com
- An Overview of Classical Greek History from Thomas R. Martin - perseus.tufts.edu
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