Editing Sparta (section)

===Constitution===
{{main|Spartan Constitution}}
[[File:SpartaGreatRhetra.png|thumb|center |upright=2 |Structure of the Spartan Constitution]]{{clear}}
Sparta was an [[oligarchy]]. The state was ruled by two [[Diarchy|hereditary kings]] of the [[List of Kings of Sparta|Agiad and Eurypontid]] families,{{sfn|Cartledge|2002|p=89}} both supposedly descendants of [[Heracles]] and equal in authority, so that one could not act against the power and political enactments of his colleague.<ref name=EB1911/>

The duties of the kings were primarily religious, judicial, and military. As chief priests of the state, they maintained communication with the Delphian sanctuary, whose pronouncements exercised great authority in Spartan politics. In the time of Herodotus c. 450 BC, their judicial functions had been restricted to cases dealing with heiresses ([[epikleroi]]), adoptions and the public roads (the meaning of the last term is unclear in Herodotus' text and has been interpreted in a number of ways). [[Aristotle]] describes the kingship at Sparta as "a kind of unlimited and perpetual generalship" (Pol. iii. 1285a), while [[Isocrates]] refers to the Spartans as "subject to an oligarchy at home, to a kingship on campaign" (iii. 24).<ref name=EB1911/>

Civil and criminal cases were decided by a group of officials known as the [[ephors]], as well as a council of [[Elder (administrative title)|elders]] known as the [[Gerousia]].  The Gerousia consisted of 28 elders over the age of 60, elected for life and usually part of the royal households, and the two kings.<ref>''The Greeks at War'' By Philip De Souza, Waldemar Heckel, Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Victor Davis Hanson</ref> High state decisions were discussed by this council, who could then propose policies to the ''damos'', the collective body of Spartan citizenry, who would [[Great Rhetra|select one of the alternatives by vote]].<ref>''The Politics By Aristotle'', Thomas Alan Sinclair, Trevor J. Saunders</ref><ref>''A companion to Greek studies''
 By Leonard Whibley</ref>

Royal prerogatives were curtailed over time. From the period of the Persian wars, the king lost the right to [[declaration of war|declare war]] and was accompanied in the field by two ephors. He was supplanted by the ephors also in the control of foreign policy. Over time, the kings became mere figureheads except in their capacity as generals. Political power was transferred to the ephors and Gerousia.<ref name=EB1911/>

An assembly of citizens called the [[Ecclesia (Sparta)|Ekklesia]] was responsible for electing men to the Gerousia for life.