Perioki

Spartan Essay 2

With reference to the source you have selected explain the organisation of Spartan Society

Source : “Lycurgus prohibited free citizens from having anything to do with business…they should not desire wealth with a view to sensual gratification. At Sparta the citizens pay strictest obedience to the magistrates and the laws. Lycurgus [believed]...obedience is of the greatest benefit, as much in a State as in an army and a family...Lycurgus also imposed on his countrymen an obligation, from which there is no exception, of practicing every kind of political virtue; for he made the privileges of citizenship equally available to all those who observed what was commanded by the Laws; but if anyone was too lazy to do what the Laws demanded, Lycurgus commanded that he should no longer be counted among the number of ‘equally privileged citizens’”.

Spartan society was organised so that the Spartiates could devote themselves entirely to Sparta’s militaristic imperative. Spartan society was comprised of four social classes, Spartiates, Perioki , Inferiors and Helots. Both Helots and Perioki have the sole purpose of tending the everyday medial tasks to leave Spartiates sufficient time to become skilled in combat specifically the agoge. The Inferiors consisted of members who had never had achieved/ or had been stripped of citizenship. The militaristic ideals of Spartan society are shown in the Spartiate training priority, and the rejection of cowards highlights the importance of military nobility.

Helots were the indigenous population of Laconia, although once conquered the Helot’s became “serf(s) who can be used on request” (Xenophon) this made them the lowest class in Spartan Society. The Helots’ duties were that of a slave, they were expected to tend fields for no profit, with the majority of their produce being awarded to their master and the state. The life of a Helot was one of hardship, they could only live in small prosperity once their master was taken care of. Not only did they live in poverty, they lacked freedom, political and legal rights. This depraved life would probably have left them resentful of the current lifestyle, and Spartan’s feared a helot uprising as they were outnumbered “20:1’. To ensure this uprising didn’t occur, protocols were implemented to negate any change of a revolt, Helots were subsequently banned from any metal work. The Helot’s posed such a risk that the Ephor’s would annually declare war on the Helot’s so that any Helot could be slain by a Spartan. Allowing the formation of the Krypteia, a part of the agoge where youth would hunt and slaughter any trouble-making Helot. De Sainte Croix describes “the helot danger was the curse of Sparta had brought upon herslf – a people which oppresses another cannot itself be free”. Through Source 1 it’s evident that the Helot’s played a vital role in the undertaking of the militaristic Spartan goal, as it allowed Spartan’s to train in the art of combat.

The Inferiors were the outcasts and failures of Spartan society, made up of four groups. Hypomeiones- Spartan Homoiois who lost citizenship by failing agoge, or failied to meet the minimum contribution of sysstion ( food messes), Tresamtees – Spartan’s who lost citizenship but acts of cowardice in battle, Neodamodes- Helots granted freedom for outstanding service to Sparta and Mothocles – Helots brought up as half brothers to Spartans, or illegitimate offspring of Spartan’s and Helots. Source 2 refers to the “importance of obedience political virtue and nobility”, these fundamental characteristics are explored and demonstrated in the attitudes taken towards the Inferiors, hard work is rewarded, while disobedience and cowardice are punished. This acts as an incentive to strive towards Spartan’s militaristic goal.

The Perioki (Dwellers around) we considered by Thucydides as the “merchant class”, this was reinforced by Shipley as he said ([the perioki] played a lead role in non-agricultural production and economic exchange). Most importantly though, the perioki played two vital roles to support Sparta, they were skilled craftsmen according to Cook “it is very likely that the practice of the arts were left to the Perioki” this allowed the Spartiates to train. Most importantly though , the Perioki acted as a buffer zone to prevent a Helot escape. While the Perioki were not full citizen the support offered in their trades and strategic geographic position played a major role in Sparta’s military virtue, Andrews consolidates when he praises the Perioki “it is important to remember how much of it(Spartan military virtue) actually belong to the Perioki”. The Perioki encompasses the concept of obedience in source 2, it’s unquestioning allegiance to Sparta gave Sparta the ability to pursue it’s militaristic goals.

Spartiates were the Spartan Elitists, to become a Spartiate four requirements would need to be met. Had to; own land, be born into a Spartan family, be a member in a Spartan military unit and have completed the agoge. The Spartiate were exempt from work as “Lycurgus prohibited free citizens from having anything to do with business”. The sole purpose of the Spartiate was combative dominance. They did so by completing an eleven year training program known as the agoge, upon completion the Spartiate was eligible for active duty.

As evident in source 2, the components comprising Spartan society suggested that system was implemented to suit Sparta’s milltaristic goals, Helots and Perioki tended daily tasks and crafting allowing the Spartiate to focus on combat training, obedience and loyalty is then highlighted by the Inferiors, providing a solid foundation was military dominance.