Throughout history the world has seen very few powers that have been quite as unique as the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. Very few city-states of ancient Greece were able to rival the Spartan people. Their unique government, social structure, and way of life made them a viable force in the ancient world. It is for these reasons that Sparta has gone down in history as one of the most uniquely structured powers in world history, one that is observed by modern intellectuals and politicians, being used as a model for present day militaries and governments.
One of the major characteristics of Sparta that made it so unique was it's government. Although oddly structured, it's main goal was to achieve stability. This is one goal that many Greek city-states strived for but could never reach. Sparta had a dual monarchy with two kings. Underneath these kings was the council of elders, which consisted of twenty-eight nobles over the age of sixty, which was the retiring age of a Spartan soldier.
Aerial view of Spartan Stadium.
English: Marble statue of a helmed hoplite (5th ce...
Ruins of Ancient Sparta, Greece.These retired soldiers discussed law, foreign policy, and served as a supreme court in Sparta. Lower on the political ladder was an assembly made up of every noble male soldier in Sparta. This assembly was the closest thing to democracy in ancient Sparta. It had the right to democratically approve or veto the decisions of the council of elders. The major body of power in Spartan government however was known as the "ephorate". The ephorate was made up of five Spartan males who had veto power over all other governmental branches, control of the military, the educational system, and the infant selection system. Surprisingly enough, they even had the power to remove a king. These five men were kept in check by a Spartan code that limited them to...