Isabella Carter
The Lacedaemonion Politeia, or the Spartan Constitution, was written by the ancient Greek historian Xenophon in the 4th century BC. The work describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. Xenophon's work is a treatise that covers the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus, which trained and developed Spartan citizens from birth to old age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Xenophon of Athens |
| Date written | c. 388 BC or fourth century BC |
| Alternative names | The Polity, Constitution, or Republic of the Lacedaemonians, the Spartan Constitution, The Polity of the Athenians and The Lacedaemonians |
| Content | Describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans |
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The work is attributed to the ancient Greek historian Xenophon
The work, "The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians", is attributed to the ancient Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates, Xenophon of Athens. Xenophon was born in 431 or around 430 BC and died in 354 BC. He lived for many years in Scillus, having been given land and property there by Sparta, before moving to Corinth.
The treatise, also known as "The Polity, Constitution, or Republic of the Lacedaemonians", or the "Spartan Constitution", describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. It is included in the collection of Xenophon's works that have survived, and its attribution to Xenophon is supported by a mention in the works of Plutarch. The consensus of the majority scholarly opinion of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries is that Xenophon is the author.
The work consists of fifteen chapters, numbered I to XV. In the first thirteen chapters, Xenophon examines the attributes of the Spartan state that contributed to making Sparta such a powerful and renowned city in ancient Hellas. Xenophon explains how a decline in Spartan morals and prestige caused the other Greek states to no longer look up to Sparta for leadership, but instead to team up against it to prevent Spartan rule over the rest of Greece.
"The Polity of the Lacedaemonians" talks about the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus, which trained and developed Spartan citizens from birth to old age. It is one of several works by Xenophon, including "The Anabasis" (or "The Persian Expedition"), "The Cyropaedia", "The Memorabilia", "The Symposium", "The Economist", "On Horsemanship", "The Sportsman", "The Cavalry General", "The Apology", "On Revenues", "The Hiero", "The Agesilaus", and "The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians".
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It describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans
The Lacedaemonion Politeia, or the Spartan Constitution, is a treatise attributed to the ancient Greek historian Xenophon. It was written in the 4th century BC and describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. The work is included in the collection of Xenophon's works that have survived, with its attribution to Xenophon being supported by a mention in the works of Plutarch.
The Spartan Constitution is divided into fifteen chapters, with the first thirteen chapters enumerating the practices and institutions that contributed to Sparta's greatness. In these chapters, Xenophon examines the attributes of the Spartan state, such as its mixed governmental system, composed of elements of monarchical, oligarchical, and democratic elements. He also describes the various social classes in Spartan society, including the Spartiate class, the Perioeci or Períoikoi, and the helots.
Xenophon explains the educational process by which Spartan citizens were trained and developed from birth to old age. This process, according to Xenophon, produced citizens who were humble and law-abiding, yet daring and ingenious. He highlights the importance of physical strength and regular exercise in Spartan society, as well as the practice of hunting, which was a lifelong pursuit for many Spartans.
The last two chapters of the Spartan Constitution describe Sparta's decline and the survival of its monarchy. Xenophon notes that despite the decline in Spartan morals and prestige, the city-state remained faithful to the institution of the king. He also mentions that the Spartans' actions in the political affairs of surrounding city-states led to other Greek states forming alliances against Sparta to prevent its domination over the rest of Greece.
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It talks about the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus
The Lacedaemonion Politeia, or the Spartan Constitution, is a treatise attributed to the ancient Greek historian Xenophon. It describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. Xenophon's work includes "The Polity of the Athenians and The Lacedaemonians", which talks about the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus.
Lycurgus is considered the semi-mythical founder of classical Sparta and is credited with creating its laws and political institutions. He is better known to generations of Spartans as the lawgiver. While some historians question Lycurgus's existence, he is credited with being the great lawgiver and transforming Sparta into one of the most efficient military powers of Ancient Greece.
According to Plutarch, Lycurgus's most important change was the creation of a twenty-eight-member senate, which had power equal to that of the kings and provided "steadiness and safety to the commonwealth". Lycurgus is also said to have instituted the crypteia, a group of young men tasked with clandestinely killing helots, and the syssitia, or mess halls, to which each Spartan belonged. He is also supposed to have reorganised Spartan military life, and instituted the Lacedaemonian dual monarchy.
Lycurgus is said to have collected all the gold and silver in Sparta, with iron becoming the new coinage. This effectively stopped the import of foreign goods and the arrival of shipments at the Laconian port. He is also said to have restricted the ability of Spartans to travel abroad, thereby preventing them from becoming acquainted with foreign rules of morality, habits, or different views of government.
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It was written in the 4th century BC
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians, also known as the Spartan Constitution, is a treatise attributed to the ancient Greek historian Xenophon. It was written in the 4th century BC, around 388 BC to be precise. Xenophon of Athens, a student of Socrates, is considered the foremost authority on Socrates after Plato. He wrote several Socratic dialogues, including an Apology concerning the events of his teacher's trial and death. Xenophon's works cover a wide range of genres and are written in uncomplicated Attic Greek.
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians is a detailed account of the Spartan way of life. It describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. Xenophon's admiration for Sparta is evident in his writing, and he lived in Sparta for many years. The treatise also discusses the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus, which trained and developed Spartan citizens from birth to old age.
The work is part of a collection of Xenophon's writings that have survived, including the Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians, which offers a comparison between the two societies. Xenophon's pro-Spartan bias is particularly noticeable in his works Agesilaus and Constitution of Sparta. The consensus among scholars is that Xenophon is the author of The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians, and this attribution is supported by a mention in the works of Plutarch.
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians provides valuable insights into Spartan society and governance. It showcases the integration of politics, philosophy, and good practices, with a focus on statesmanship and personal conduct. Xenophon's treatise offers a unique perspective on constitution-building, blending macro-level statecraft with micro-level details of child-rearing and honourable living.
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It is comparable to the Athenian Constitution
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians, also known as the Spartan Constitution, is a treatise attributed to the ancient Greek historian Xenophon of Athens. It was written in the 4th century BC and describes the institutions, customs, and practices of the ancient Spartans. Xenophon, a pupil of Socrates, marched with the Spartans and was exiled from his hometown of Athens. He was given land in Scillus, where he lived for many years before settling in Corinth, where he died in 354 BC. Xenophon's work, The Polity of the Lacedaemonians, talks about the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus, which trained and developed Spartan citizens from birth to old age.
Xenophon's writing on the Lacedaimonians is comparable to his work on the Athenians, titled "The Polity of the Athenians". In this text, Xenophon discusses the type of constitution chosen by the Athenians and how it affects the welfare of different social classes. He observes that when the Athenians sided with the better classes, it often did not turn out well for them, and they ended up being enslaved by the democratic party. Xenophon's views on oligarchy, his service under Spartan generals, and his friendship with King Agesilaus II, all contributed to his pro-Spartan bias, which is evident in his writings.
Both texts by Xenophon offer valuable insights into the constitutions, laws, and social dynamics of two influential ancient Greek city-states: Athens and Sparta. They provide a window into the political philosophies and practices of their respective societies, with a focus on the interplay between different social classes and their impact on governance.
The Athenian Constitution, also known as "The Polity of the Athenians", is one of Xenophon's works that have survived and is considered a valuable source for understanding the Athenian political system and the social dynamics of the time. Xenophon's writings on the Athenian Constitution are critical, as he expresses his disapproval of their chosen form of government, which he believes prioritizes the welfare of the lower classes over that of the better classes.
Xenophon's works, including his writings on the Lacedaimonians and the Athenians, provide a unique perspective on the ancient Greek world. His insights into the constitutions and social structures of these influential city-states offer a micro- and macro-level understanding of their societies. Xenophon's writings are not just about politics but also about statesmanship, child-rearing, and living an honourable life, reflecting the holistic approach to constitution-building in ancient Greece.
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Frequently asked questions
The ancient Greek historian Xenophon of Athens wrote the Constitution of the Lacedaimonians.
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians was written in the 4th century BC, around 388 BC.
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians is about the laws and institutions created by Lycurgus, which train and develop Spartan citizens from birth to old age.
The Constitution of the Lacedaimonians is also known as the Spartan Constitution, the Lacedaemonion Politeia, or simply the Polity.
Xenophon's other works include The Anabasis, The Hellenica, The Cyropaedia, The Memorabilia, and The Symposium.
