Comparative Analysis of Sparta

This analysis is based on Perry Anderson's work "Passages From Antiquity to Feudalism and M.I Finley's work
"The Ancient Greeks". Both the writers provide an overview of Spartan Oligarchy by discussing reasons why
Oligarchy developed in Sparta and the ways in which the political, economic and social structure changed during
this period. Their work differs in terms of relativity primacy given to topics and view towards helotage.

Both Finely and Anderson are in agreement that the emergence of Oligarchy is directly associated with an armed
conflict with Messenia that occurred in 7th century BCE. This battle is regarded by both to be crucial for bringing
social, political and economic reforms in Sparta.

Using a Greek legend as a source Anderson has commented on economic reforms. The land conquered by
subjugating the Laconian and Messenian population was divided into allotments called kleroi which were
distributed to the Spartan population. He states that this system formed the base of Sparta's political system. The
objective of this division according to him was to create unity by making Spartans hoi homoioi or equals even
though such equality was never achieved. Finley's remark on the economic system is more brief and he uses it to
argue that economic equality (from redistribution of land tilled by helot) was important to create a body of citizens
solely involved in the military.

The second theme discussed is the political structure which has been regarded by both as a mixture of an older
In s e r t te x t h e r e

monarchical system with elements of aristocratic rule and democracy. The monarchs of the two royal families
now became military generals. They were also members of the 30 man council of elders or gerousia. Executive
and arbitrary powers were held by 5 magistrates or ephors who were elected by the citizenry. The Spartan
assembly as both scholars have pointed out had minimal role of approving proposals and their verdict could be
overruled by veto of gerousia. This general agreement of the two scholars over passivity of assembly can be
extended to other aspects of Sparta's political apparatus as well.

The last major argument revovles around hoplites and the subject people of Laconia and Messenia. Finley has
given a more elaborate description about hoplites and competency of Spartan military. He states that under a
rigid system all Spartan citizens were trained to become professional soliders from infancy. Both Anderson and
Finley agree on the fact that the sucess of these hoplites was primarily because their needs were met by the
subjected population. However, their are some differences in the way they have described the role of these
people. Anderson's description is limited to helots and provides a comparison between helotage and slavery. He
states that helots were state owned and were used for tilling land, thereby freeing Hoplites from cultivation
process. While comparing helotage with slavery he labels it as ‘undeveloped form of slavery” and points at the
significant role palyed by both in creating a flourishing Urban Greek Civilization. Finley takes a slightly different
approach and states helotage to be a “dangerous alternative” of slavery. This is because unlike the slaves, the
helots revolted frequently. Finley also mentions the perioeci, the population that retained some personal freedom
and managed trade and industrial production, making Hoplites free from all froms of economic activities.

Finley concludes his description of Sparta by stating that the decline of Sparta is closely related to the reforms
discussed above. He states that the property system broke down, conflicts occurred between kings and other
officals and the citizen population declined over time. All this happened in the midst of two major wars therey
leading Sparta to eventual collapse. Anderson although accepting that Spartan system was extremely
conservative still regards the Oligarchic reforms as “successful pioneering transformations”.

Thus on matters of political structure and significance of Helots in making Sparta a military both scholars show
general agreement but Anderson describes Oligarchy in comparatively positively light while Finley point out how
it may have been a reason for Sparta’s decline.

Devanshi
2023/328