Topic: Ephorate

Source: P. Valenti booklet

Roles / Significance / Source/Quote / Relevance
Presided over the Assembly
Acted as a civil court
Dealt in matters regarding
treason, looked on the actions
and businesses of the Kings
and could even impeach them,
force them to divorce their wife
and two Ephors would always
accompany the Kings on
campaign.
Directed the Krypteia in
eliminating Helots
indiscriminately. / Were the Reps of the
people
Were magistrates of
the people
In doing so they “kept
the people contented”
(Aristotle) as the people
could control the King.
Controlled the secret
police, which would kill
thousands of Helots. / “…enjoys supreme
authority in matters of the
highest importance (and)
that their power is indeed,
so great, amounting almost
to tyranny.”
Aristotle / The Ephors possessed
temporary powers that most
Greeks would consider as
being tyrannical however
they were necessary for
their tasks.
The authority of the Ephors
is so highly regarded as
they were a check on the
Kings and were a
democratic element, as they
were voted in by the people.

Source: Spartan Society from Antiquity 2 by T. Hurley, P. Medcalf, C. Murray, J. Rolph

Roles / Significance / Source/Quote / Relevance
They were the chief admin-
istrators and executives of
the State
Were in charge of the Agoge
where they controlled the
training and discipline and
received reports of
misconduct and gave regular
physical examinations
Decided which military units
went on campaign
Controlled other magistrates / They possessed immense
power and had control of
every aspect of Spartan life.
They controlled the future
of Sparta itself
They had military authority
Lesser magistrates had to
explain their actions for the
year at the end of their term. / “The Ephors’ lifestyle too, is
not in accordance with the
aims of the state; for it is
excessively relaxed, while
for the rest it is far too
excessive in its austerity,
with the result that they
unable to endure it but
secretly evade the law and
enjoy bodily pleasures.”
Aristotle / The office of the
Ephorate was vulnerable
to corruption as those
who joined its ranks
encountered powers and
luxuries that they were
never used to in their
lifetime.
Aristotle is bias towards
the Ephorate as he
believes the aristocracy
used this to their
advantage

Info:

·  Were the democratic element of the Spartan constitution, with any Spartiate male able to join

·  The role played was highly significant especially in the example of E. Sthenelaidas who convinced the assembly to go to war against the wishes of the king K. Archidamus

Source: Booklet 7, The Spartan State by Hooker

Roles / Significance
Could banish foreigners on their own authority and
could condemn and outlanders to death without trial.
Received and despatched envoys. / Power on those of non-Spartiate origin even more extreme
and deadly than those concerning Spartiates.
Ephors controlled foreign policy.
Source/quote / Relevance

Source: Booklet 5, Lycurgan reforms and the Rise of Sparta by T. Buckley

Source/Quote / Relevance
“Any Ephor who was too zealous in the exercise of his
constitutional power at a king’s expense was well aware
that he was vulnerable to retaliation at the hands of the
same king in the following year”
T. Buckley / An Ephor could not abuse his powers to the extremes
as he was vulnerable once his term of office was over.
This meant that the Ephors would never overstep their
allotted powers against the King and ensured that no
tyrant would arise from their ranks.
It also meant that no Ephor would make apparent his
misdemeanours so as to restrict any apparent corruption.

Source: Pam Bradley textbook, class notes

Roles / Significance
Chose three captains for the elite corps of the army
Initiated legislation
Acted with the Gerousia as a court of criminal justice
carrying out punishments. They dealt especially with
cases concerning Periocei / These captains would need to be good leaders to control
their troops in battle. Good selection was critical
Began process of law making and changing
They constituted as the Supreme Court
Source/quote / Relevance
“the authority of the Ephors, then holds the state
together, since the people are quiet because they
have a share in the chief magistracy”
Aristotle / Although he believes the office as a despotism, he also
sees it as holding the entire system together as the people wish to have a piece of this power.