How were the leaders selected in ancient Sparta?

Answer 1

Sparta was ruled by two hereditary kings, who had to rule jointly. Each king had veto power over the other's decisions. There was a council of 28 elders, called Gerousia, who were men over the age of 60 and generally came from the royal families. They were elected for life by the citizens of Sparta. There was also a group of five officials, called ephors, who were elected annually.

Spartan citizenry by no means included everyone. Citizens were Spartans who had completed the Spartan education process, and this process was only open to those who could demonstrate that they were descendants of the original inhabitants of the city.

The kings mostly held dominion over military and religious affairs. They also had judicial authority, but they were later restricted only to matters of inheritance and public roads. The Gerousia decided civil and criminal judicial disputes. Matters of great importance to the state were referred to the Gerousia. They would propose alternative options to the Damos, the assembly of Spartan citizens similar to the Athenian assembly, who would vote on the action to be taken.

Over time, the Gerousia and the ephors exercised more control, so that by the time of the Persian Wars, the kings had to gain approval for foreign and military policy from them.