Ephors's Participation In The Athenian Political System
The people of Athens obtain the right to participate in public life through political reforms over the years; as at first only the wealthy few participated in public life. During the archaic period (around 800-500 BCE) power was only in the hands of the established wealthy landowning aristocratic class. Henceforth, the majority of the population were marginalized by the wealthy landowning class. This marginalization created resentment among the non wealthy class; and the resentment lead to social unrest that ultimately lead to Athens democracy system where all qualified citizens (and not just the wealthy) can vote. The developing democracy system was still rigged by the aristocrats “so that the majority (poorer classes) could not outvote the
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The power of these two kings however was kept in check by the Ephors who were elected annually and the Gerousia (an elite elder council). For a Spartan to be a Ephor; they must be one of the dual kings (by which both of the two kings are also Ephors) and/or be elected as one of the (ultimately) 5 members elected each year to be one. Ephors could serve only a single, one-year term in office. Becoming an Ephor was the only route to political power for non aristocratic Spartan citizens. For a Spartan to be part of the Gerousia; they must be 60 years of age and must be an aristocrat. Their membership was for life and they numbered at 30 members at a time. No law or issue could come before the popular assembly without the approval of the Gerousia and the Ephors usually deferred to their guidance as well. Sparta also had an assembly by which all free male citizens were part. This assembly had the power to elect the annual Ephors and new members of the Gerousia when slots became available. However, the assembly’s power was strictly limited by the formal or informal power of the Ephors and the Gerousia. This popular assembly is actually similar to the Athenian direct democracy; however, the power of Spartan assembly was very limited when compared to that of ancient democratic Athens. Sparta and Athens differ by that Sparta was more of an Oligarchy and Athens more of a
The power of these two kings however was kept in check by the Ephors who were elected annually and the Gerousia (an elite elder council). For a Spartan to be a Ephor; they must be one of the dual kings (by which both of the two kings are also Ephors) and/or be elected as one of the (ultimately) 5 members elected each year to be one. Ephors could serve only a single, one-year term in office. Becoming an Ephor was the only route to political power for non aristocratic Spartan citizens. For a Spartan to be part of the Gerousia; they must be 60 years of age and must be an aristocrat. Their membership was for life and they numbered at 30 members at a time. No law or issue could come before the popular assembly without the approval of the Gerousia and the Ephors usually deferred to their guidance as well. Sparta also had an assembly by which all free male citizens were part. This assembly had the power to elect the annual Ephors and new members of the Gerousia when slots became available. However, the assembly’s power was strictly limited by the formal or informal power of the Ephors and the Gerousia. This popular assembly is actually similar to the Athenian direct democracy; however, the power of Spartan assembly was very limited when compared to that of ancient democratic Athens. Sparta and Athens differ by that Sparta was more of an Oligarchy and Athens more of a