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enjoying their homes； wives； and families； apart from their master's personal superintendence。 They appear to have been never sold； and they accompanied the Spartans to the field as light armed troops。 But while their condition was in these respects superior to that of the ordinary slaves in other parts of Greece； it was embittered by the fact that they were not strangers like the latter； but were of the same race and spoke the same language as their masters； being probably the descendants of the old inhabitants； who had offered the most obstinate resistance to the Dorians； and had therefore been reduced to slavery。 As their numbers increased； they became objects of suspicion to their masters； and were subjected to the most wanton and oppressive cruelty。
The functions of the Spartan government were distributed among two kings； a senate of thirty members； a popular assembly； and an executive directory of five men called the Ephors。
At the head of the state were the two hereditary kings。 The existence of a pair of kings was peculiar to Sparta； and is said to have arisen from the accidental circumstance of Aristodemus having left twin sons； Eurysthenes and Procles。 This division of the royal power naturally tended to weaken its influence and to produce jealousies and dissensions between the two kings。 The royal power was on the decline during the whole historical period； and the authority of the kings was gradually usurped by the Ephors； who at length obtained the entire control of the government； and reduced the kings to a state of humiliation and dependence。
The Senate； called GERUSIA； or the COUNCIL OF ELDERS； consisted of thirty members； among whom the two kings were included。 They were obliged to be upwards of sixty years of age； and they held their office for life。 They possessed considerable power and were the only real check upon the authority of the Ephors。 They discussed and prepared all measures which were to be brought before the popular assembly； and they had some share in the general administration of the state。 But the most important of their functions was； that they were judges in all criminal cases affecting the life of a Spartan citizen。
The Popular Assembly was of little importance； and appears to have been usually summoned only as a matter of form for the election of certain magistrates； for passing laws； and for determining upon peace and war。 It would appear that open discussion was not allowed and that the assembly rarely came to a division。
The Ephors were of later origin； and did not exist in the original constitution of Lycurgus。 They may be regarded as the representatives of the popular assembly。 They were elected annually from the general body of Spartan citizens； and seem to have been originally appointed to protect the interests and liberties of the people against the encroachments of the kings and the senate。 They correspond in many respects to the tribunes of the people at Rome。 Their functions were at first limited and of small importance； but in the end the whole political power became centred in their hands。
The Spartan government was in reality a close oligarchy； in which the kings and the senate； as well as the people； were alike subject to the irresponsible authority of the five Ephors。
The most important part of the legislation of Lycurgus did not relate to the political constitution of Sparta； but to the discipline and education of the citizens。 It was these which gave Sparta her peculiar character； and distinguished her in so striking a manner from all the other states of Greece。 The position of the Spartans； surrounded by numerous enemies； whom they held in subjection by the sword alone； compelled them to be a nation of soldiers。 Lycurgus determined that they should be nothing else； and the great object of his whole system was to cultivate a martial spirit； and to give them a training which would make them invincible in battle。 To accomplish this the education of a Spartan was placed under the control of the state from his earliest boyhood。 Every child after birth was exhibited to public view； and； if deemed deformed and weakly； was exposed to perish on Mount Taygetus。 At the age of seven he was taken from his mother's care； and handed over to the public classes。 He was not only taught gymnastic games and military exercises but he was also subjected to severe bodily discipline； and was compelled to submit to hardships and suffering without repining or complaint。 One of the tests to which he was subjected was a cruel scourging at the altar of Artemis （Diana）； until his blood gushed forth and covered the altar of the goddess。 It was inflicted publicly before the eyes of his parents and in the presence of the whole city； and many Spartan youths were known to have died under the lash without uttering a complaining murmur。 No means were neglected to prepare them for the hardships and stratagems of war。 They were obliged to wear the same garment winter and summer； and to endure hunger and thirst； heat and cold。 They were purposely allowed an insufficient quantity of food； but were permitted to make up the deficiency by hunting in the woods and mountains of Laconia。 They were even encouraged to steal whatever they could； but if they were caught in the fact； they were severely punished for their want of dexterity。 Plutarch tells us of a boy； who； having stolen a fox； and hid it under his garment； chose rather to let it tear out his very bowels than be detected in the theft。
The literary education of a Spartan youth was of a most restricted kind。 He was taught to despise literature as unworthy of a warrior； while the study of eloquence and philosophy； which were cultivated at Athens with such extraordinary success； was regarded at Sparta with contempt。 Long speeches were a Spartan's abhorrence； and he was trained to express himself with sententious brevity。
A Spartan was not considered to have reached the full age of manhood till he had completed his thirtieth year。 He was then allowed to marry； to take part in the public assembly； and was eligible to the offices of the state。 But he still continued under the public discipline； and was not permitted even to reside and take his meals with his wife。 It was not till he had reached his sixtieth year that he was released from the public discipline and from military service。
The public messcalled SYSSITIAis said to have been instituted by Lycurgus to prevent all indulgence of the appetite。 Public tables were provided； at which every male citizen was obliged to take his meals。 Each table accommodated fifteen persons； who formed a separate mess； into which no new member was admitted； except by the unanimous consent of the whole company。 Each sent monthly to the common stock a specified quantity of barley…meal； wine； cheese； and figs and a little money to buy flesh and fish。 No distinction of any kind was allowed at these frugal meals。 Meat was only eaten occasionally； and one of the principal dishes was black broth。 Of what it consisted we do not know。 The tyrant Dionysius found it very unpalatable； but； as the cook told him； the broth was nothing without the seasoning of fatigue and hunger。