Ancient History HSC > Greece: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371BC

Features and structure of the Spartan government: Ephors

One of the key elements of the Spartan constitution is the ephorate. They had certain rights and privileges within the framework of that constitution. Please explore the following Internet sites and write a small report on the powers and responsibilities of the ephors using the six questions that follow. Email your report to your teacher or utilise this template and submit your report in person.

1. Definitions of Ephors @ (i) Wikipedia (ii) Everything.com (iii) About.com (iv) Infoplease.com (v) Biography.ms (vi) The Ancient Library (vii) Free Dictionary (viii) Glossary at USYD

2. Ephors (Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities 1898)

3. Ephors (A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890) (eds. William Smith, LLD, William Wayte, G. E. Marindin). This account contains an interesting account of the possible origins of the ephorate.

4. Aristotle: On the Lacedaemonian Constitution, c. 340 BCE (Ancient History Source Book)

5. The Ephors of Sparta (Aristotle Politics Book II Chapter 9)

6. Sparta ( Ancient History Source Book)(11th Brittanica Sparta. Scroll down to the section that deals with the Constitution.)

7. The Spartan System. A brief description. Scroll down the page to locate it. Also describes the Gerousia, Kings, and the Ecclesia (assembly).

8. NSW HSC Online: Features of the Spartan Government.



1. Define the roles and responsibilities of a Spartan ephor.

2. Why do you think there were five ephors? Why five? How might this relate to the early history of Sparta?

3. What was an eponymous ephor?

4. Describe the relationship between the ephors and the kings.

5. Dig in the source by Wayte and Marindin and see if you can answer these questions:

  • When did they enter office?
  • Where did they hold their meetings?
  • Where did they eat?
  • What did they have to do at the end of their term of office?
  • Could an ephor throw a king into prison?

    Hint: Use the find function in your browser to search for the relevant text.

6. The ephors are the most powerful organ within the Spartan system of government. Do you this statement is correct? Justify your answer.