How was ancient Sparta ruled?

[Maion Maroneios]

The Spartan kings would be chief priests of the state and would be the generals of the army, also things like succesion was taken care of them. But yeah the Ephors had more power then them. Yet the most important things like war or peace was made by the Apella! All Spartan citizens could vote.

Right, I don't think we disagree in anything here.

There is a small difference, the laws of Lycurgus weren't fully followed anymore, in the old times having gold was dispised yet at latter times they showed off their wealth. The Spartans also became more obsessed with ruling then at excelling at their given position.

Erhm, that's exactly what I said. The old ways stopped being followed.

Basicly if they would have followed the laws of Lycurgus then their golden age would have lasted far longer.

They had to serve from 7 till 60, with them joining the army at the age of 20. But there were Spartan hoplites recorded which were older then 60! Leonidas himself probably was far in his 50s as well.

Nope, 56 or 60, that's debatable. Though I believe it was officially 56. Hoplitai serving with an age of over 60 is possible, though very, very rare. If you think that the average lifetime of a man at that time was about 40. Leonidas was into his fifties, yes.

The main reason of their numbers dropping wasn´t because of so many failing the agoge, it was mainly because those without property couldn´t pay the messes and thus couldn´t be citizens. And only the first borns could get the property.

I will have to disagree. Not being able to pass the Agoge automatically disqualified you as a Spartan citizen, and thus deprived you of all the privileges of citizenship. Not following the laws of Lykourgos is just something that derived from the fact that there difference between rich and poor was becoming bigger and bigger. Think about it: Less and less property for those that failed to pay the sissitia going to the richer citizens, rich families investing in things other than just war resulting in Sparte becoming more open etc.

An earthquake apparently killed many Spartans as well which resulted in Spartan women owning the land and them passing it on to their new husbands and thus creating the rich and poor, which wasn´t what the laws of Lycurgus intended! There aren´t called Equals for nothing.

The earthquake that killed many Spartiatai was a serious strike, but the fall of Lakedaimon didn't result purely from that incident. It was time that proved fatal in the end. Bit by bit, they destroyed thmselves.

Inevitable is a big word, they simply stopped at certain points to fully follow the laws of Lycurgus. Like not fighting the same enemy in order that they can´t make any counter tactics, which Epidomnonas was able to do at Leuktra.

It's not a big word. Seriously, it's exactly like saying it would be inevitable for Rome to become the leading power. Even if something went wrong, the Universe has its way of "fixing" things. That's Physics, by the way Lykourgos alone wasn't the sole reason behind Sparte's success in the Classical Age. Strictly following his laws wouldn't do them any good for a long period of time either. Time passes, things move. The Spartiatai remained stationary. Over and out.

There would be at least 1 helot accompanying a Spartiatai in campaign, mainly to do chores but they probably fought as light psiloi as well. At later times and in times of need Helots were liberated after a certain time as a Hoplite to have a bigger fighting force, you could realise that freedom was wanted and many would fight for Sparta. Like when Thebes invaded Lakonia, 2000 Helots rose up to protect Sparta!

So?

Maion