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Keywords

Spartan Diarchy, Disunity and Contention, Helot Control, Checks and Balances, Governmental Effectiveness

Abstract

With good reason, Sparta is often considered on of the most influential classical Greek poleis. The Spartans led the combined military forces of Greece during the Second Persian Invasion of 480 BCE, and led the Peloponnesian League for over a hundred years. They brought down the Athenian Empire and ruled much of Greece, until they themselves were defeated by the Thebans. Their success is usually attributed to the unique nature and strength of their army. However, there is another key, but often overlooked, contributing factor to Spartan predominance: its unique system of government, ruled by rwo kings. This diarchy enabled Sparta co acquire and maintain great prominence among the wider Greek and Hellenistic world. It was an essential element in Sparta's long-term, continued influence. For example, disunity berween the rwo kings brought about legal changes which preserved and revitalized the diarchy. Two kings provided the appearance of strength which helped keep the helot population in check; chis assurance of stability at home allowed Sparta to ace more freely throughout the Greek world. Having two kings meant that even if one king were to turn against the Spartan people, the other king could mitigate the damage. Despite implications and claims of tyranny by some ancient sources, such as Herodotus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the Spartan kings were held highly accountable for their actions by a series of governmental checks and balances. Without these two simulcaneous kingships, Sparta would not have achieved the same level of prominence and renown in the Greek world.

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