Why did Sparta Have Two Kings? Documentary
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 19
Patrick
to say it's not that simple is an understatement.
Another drastically simplified aspect to consider is that the true Spartans were invaders who ruled over a subjegated majority of indigenous people (referred to as Helots) by military might. A more recent comparison might be apartheid South Africa. The kings' primary function was as a military leader, so political and religious duties were mainly to keep them out of trouble.
Spartans feared an uprising by the more neumerous Helot section of the population, and so when the gerusia met every year to decide on the greatest threats to Sparta's security, there was a (largely ceremonial) declaration of war on the Helots. Some years saw bloodless wars in which these people were opressed, conscripted into the army and put to work as labor. Other years saw ruthless massacres. The Spartans seemed to feat that while their army was away, the subjegated indigenous population would overthrow their rule and so it made sense to have 2 kings: one to _fight communists in Angola_ um, I meant to fight Athenians in the Peloponese, and one to keep the locals in their place.
Also, remember that all Spartans received military training, including the women, and raising an army to put down a revolt would only require a leader. If this leader emerged from among the Spartan citizens, they'd have considerable power and influence, so could challenge the established order.
histortorans describe them as being driven like cattle before the Spartans, yet there is some evidence that some of these indigenous people may have earned a slightly elevated status (although they likely never earned rank of Spartan citizens) through showing bravery on the battlefield.
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to say it's not that simple is an understatement.
Another drastically simplified aspect to consider is that the true Spartans were invaders who ruled over a subjegated majority of indigenous people (referred to as Helots) by military might. A more recent comparison might be apartheid South Africa. The kings' primary function was as a military leader, so political and religious duties were mainly to keep them out of trouble.
Spartans feared an uprising by the more neumerous Helot section of the population, and so when the gerusia met every year to decide on the greatest threats to Sparta's security, there was a (largely ceremonial) declaration of war on the Helots. Some years saw bloodless wars in which these people were opressed, conscripted into the army and put to work as labor. Other years saw ruthless massacres. The Spartans seemed to feat that while their army was away, the subjegated indigenous population would overthrow their rule and so it made sense to have 2 kings: one to _fight communists in Angola_ um, I meant to fight Athenians in the Peloponese, and one to keep the locals in their place.
Also, remember that all Spartans received military training, including the women, and raising an army to put down a revolt would only require a leader. If this leader emerged from among the Spartan citizens, they'd have considerable power and influence, so could challenge the established order.
histortorans describe them as being driven like cattle before the Spartans, yet there is some evidence that some of these indigenous people may have earned a slightly elevated status (although they likely never earned rank of Spartan citizens) through showing bravery on the battlefield.
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Errico
The ancient Greeks were the result of the Indo-European colonizers and the native population intermingling.
Mycenaeans and Cretans, often referred as proto-greeks, are perhaps among the most ancient civilizations in the region and their government was originally based on the Vanax rule, basically a king who held both militaristic and religious powers (a common figure in antiquity across the Mediterranean, even romans originally had a similar type of ruler.
Is plausible that consequently to the original settlement being expanded the Vanax later saw his region of influence (political and religious) split and his power watered down by an electoral institution.
Spartans, Athenians and other Greek city states later inherited this political system, some cities like Sparta maintained to the end of their relevant history others, like Athens, got rid of it almost immediately.
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The ancient Greeks were the result of the Indo-European colonizers and the native population intermingling.
Mycenaeans and Cretans, often referred as proto-greeks, are perhaps among the most ancient civilizations in the region and their government was originally based on the Vanax rule, basically a king who held both militaristic and religious powers (a common figure in antiquity across the Mediterranean, even romans originally had a similar type of ruler.
Is plausible that consequently to the original settlement being expanded the Vanax later saw his region of influence (political and religious) split and his power watered down by an electoral institution.
Spartans, Athenians and other Greek city states later inherited this political system, some cities like Sparta maintained to the end of their relevant history others, like Athens, got rid of it almost immediately.
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Eddd29
There is a hot debate on the most powerful position in Sparta. My take is that events in the sources suggest that it mostly depended on the individual on how powerful they were. The ephors were put on trial after thier term ended meaning they could not do anything that was too controversial. The king's were also mostly just military and religious leaders. They didn't have much authority in Sparta but did have absolute authority on campaigns. There was also the probuletic function with the gerousia and the ecclesia to pass the legislation which is also arguably a powerful position.
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There is a hot debate on the most powerful position in Sparta. My take is that events in the sources suggest that it mostly depended on the individual on how powerful they were. The ephors were put on trial after thier term ended meaning they could not do anything that was too controversial. The king's were also mostly just military and religious leaders. They didn't have much authority in Sparta but did have absolute authority on campaigns. There was also the probuletic function with the gerousia and the ecclesia to pass the legislation which is also arguably a powerful position.
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Tom
Two kings is a trick because they are both on the same side but any opposition has to choose one side or the other and thus be wasted. The Democrats and Republicans use the same trick. The rich want to make people poor and kill them. People vote for the Democrats who burn their cities and murder the population. People do not like crime so they vote for the Republicans. Once in office the Republicans steal money from the people, loot the economy, and give all the money to the rich. Not wanting the be robbed people vote for Democrats and the cycle never ends.
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Two kings is a trick because they are both on the same side but any opposition has to choose one side or the other and thus be wasted. The Democrats and Republicans use the same trick. The rich want to make people poor and kill them. People vote for the Democrats who burn their cities and murder the population. People do not like crime so they vote for the Republicans. Once in office the Republicans steal money from the people, loot the economy, and give all the money to the rich. Not wanting the be robbed people vote for Democrats and the cycle never ends.
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MusikCassette
The Spartans were famous for their millitary power. Yet every time the Persians invaded and this power could get put to some use, somehow there is an Holy day, so they are very sorry, but they can not come quite now.
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The Spartans were famous for their millitary power. Yet every time the Persians invaded and this power could get put to some use, somehow there is an Holy day, so they are very sorry, but they can not come quite now.
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Goliath117
I heard the explanation for the two kings was that Heracles had two sons and these two sons founded the city of Sparta. The line of these two brothers would be the dual kings, as a way to keep in touch with the gods.
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I heard the explanation for the two kings was that Heracles had two sons and these two sons founded the city of Sparta. The line of these two brothers would be the dual kings, as a way to keep in touch with the gods.
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Gaius
Even the ephors had little power as they had to undergo a review process at the end of the year to make sure they didnt abuse their power and this was why there was little major political reform through this constitution
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Even the ephors had little power as they had to undergo a review process at the end of the year to make sure they didnt abuse their power and this was why there was little major political reform through this constitution
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DudeWat
Fun fact: because so many Spartans died in battle, women ended up inheriting most of the land, so Sparta was filled to the brim with these cougar landladies who basically owned society.
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Fun fact: because so many Spartans died in battle, women ended up inheriting most of the land, so Sparta was filled to the brim with these cougar landladies who basically owned society.
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Xenofon
To my knowledge, close to 90% of the Spartan population was also slaves (and Helots) and a King always remained in Sparta to squash any potential slave revolts.
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To my knowledge, close to 90% of the Spartan population was also slaves (and Helots) and a King always remained in Sparta to squash any potential slave revolts.
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Siiello
they needed two kings so that while war was on there would be a king at home to make decisions so you wouldn't need to run messengers and wait on big decisions.
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they needed two kings so that while war was on there would be a king at home to make decisions so you wouldn't need to run messengers and wait on big decisions.
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Unclenogbad
Always reminds me of that comment about the USA being in reality a one-party state; except that being America, they always want two of everything
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Always reminds me of that comment about the USA being in reality a one-party state; except that being America, they always want two of everything
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Michael
So, what period of history do you specialise in?
History Matters, going from a video about Ancient Babylon to one on the space race: Yes.
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So, what period of history do you specialise in?
History Matters, going from a video about Ancient Babylon to one on the space race: Yes.
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Master
Fun fact Romans had a diarchy like systems with the two consul ruling any given year. Definitely not kings, distinctly did not like kings.
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Fun fact Romans had a diarchy like systems with the two consul ruling any given year. Definitely not kings, distinctly did not like kings.
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Galerinha
This also explains better why the king chose to stay and die in battle. Because he knew the other king would keep things running.
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This also explains better why the king chose to stay and die in battle. Because he knew the other king would keep things running.
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PropSpairGaming
In shorter summary to narrow it down to 10 seconds: to ensure balance of power in government, less chance of a Dictatorship
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In shorter summary to narrow it down to 10 seconds: to ensure balance of power in government, less chance of a Dictatorship
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Ytterbium
bah, that cartoon style is very bad. cant watch that. i rather watch some still-pictures of historic places while you talk.
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bah, that cartoon style is very bad. cant watch that. i rather watch some still-pictures of historic places while you talk.
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FighterCK
Any time Sparta is mentioned, I hear the word Misthios and warm memories fill my head of my time spent jn Ancient Greece.
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Any time Sparta is mentioned, I hear the word Misthios and warm memories fill my head of my time spent jn Ancient Greece.
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Big
I thought Sparta was as big as the byzantine empire but yeahhhh it's not even close to be as big as newly independence Greece
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I thought Sparta was as big as the byzantine empire but yeahhhh it's not even close to be as big as newly independence Greece
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St4rTr3v1Ut10n
The 2 Spartan Kings are the Democrat and Republican parties beholden to the Ephors, or uberrich people
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The 2 Spartan Kings are the Democrat and Republican parties beholden to the Ephors, or uberrich people
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