Spartiates were the full citizen class of Sparta, a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. They were distinct from the lower classes, including the helots (serfs) and perioikoi (free but non-citizen residents). Spartiates had specific military and social obligations, including rigorous training in the agoge system, and they played a crucial role in maintaining Sparta's military-oriented society. Their status was marked by a strong emphasis on discipline, loyalty, and communal living.
The spartiates
Σπαρτιάτης [spartiAtes]
The citizens (Spartiates) voting in their Assembly.
A sussition is a social group of Spartiates who dine together in the mess hall.
The perioeci were a class of free inhabitants in Sparta who lived in surrounding territories and engaged in commerce and craft, while the aristocrats, or Spartiates, were the ruling military elite who held full citizenship rights. Unlike the Spartiates, the perioeci did not participate in the Spartan political system and were excluded from military leadership roles. However, they had some autonomy and were essential to the Spartan economy, providing goods and services that supported the militaristic society. In contrast, the Spartiates focused primarily on warfare and maintaining their dominant status.
The spartans did trade. The middle class of Sparta - the Perioki - were responsible for all the city's commerce, such as trade, fishing and blacksmithing. It was only the Spartan full-citizens - the Spartiates - who were not allowed any contact with outside cities because it was afraid that they would get 'ideas'. The Spartiates were set very deeply in their traditions and could not afford any distracting ideas.
The social structure of ancient Sparta was highly stratified and primarily divided into three main groups: the Spartiates, the Perioikoi, and the Helots. The Spartiates were the ruling class of full citizens who underwent rigorous military training and were granted political rights. The Perioikoi were free non-citizens who lived in surrounding areas, engaging in trade and crafts, while the Helots were state-owned serfs who worked the land and served the Spartiates, often facing harsh treatment and oppression. This rigid hierarchy reinforced Sparta's militaristic and communal values, prioritizing strength and discipline.
Approximately 8,000 Spartiates (adult male citizens) ruled over a population of 100,000 enslaved and semi-enslaved people.
Foreigners were know as the perioeci and they were belonged in the social class between the Spartiates and the Helots. They had a lot of freedom and they had the opportunity to become merchants and trade.
Sparta's social system was created in 783 b.c. Sparta was unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, which completely focused on military training and excellence. Its inhabitants were classified as Spartiates (Spartan citizens, who enjoyed full rights), Mothakes (non-Spartan free men raised as Spartans), Perioikoi (freedmen), and Helots (state-owned serfs, enslaved non-Spartan local population).
Foreigners were know as the perioeci and they were belonged in the social class between the Spartiates and the Helots. They had a lot of freedom and they had the opportunity to become merchants and trade.
In ancient Sparta, the estimated number of adult male citizens, known as Spartiates, was around 8,000 to 10,000 at its peak. This population represented only a fraction of the total population of Sparta, which included non-citizens such as helots (state-owned serfs) and perioeci (free non-citizens). The Spartiates were the warrior class and had exclusive rights to full citizenship and political participation.