BOOK II Chapter 9 The Spartan Regime

Chapter 9 Introduction to Chapter 9

In this chapter, Aristotle evaluates the Spartan and Cretan regimes. He examines their strengths and weaknesses, particularly focusing on their handling of slaves (helots), women, property, and military matters. Aristotle addresses both the internal coherence of these regimes and how well they align with their intended goals.

1. Two Investigations Regarding the Spartan and Cretan Regimes (1269b)

Aristotle begins by outlining two primary ways to evaluate a regime:

Ideal Evaluation: Whether the legislation aligns with the best possible arrangement.
Practical Evaluation: Whether the legislation fits with the existing structure and goals of the regime.

2. Problem of Helots and Subject Populations (1269b)

Aristotle identifies the relationship between the ruling class and subject populations (helots in Sparta) as a major issue for both the Spartan and Thessalian regimes.

2.1 Revolts of Helots and Serfs

The helots in Sparta and the serfs in Thessaly frequently revolted, which destabilized these regimes.
Sparta’s Vulnerability: The Spartans’ neighboring enemies (Argives, Messenians, and Arcadians) frequently aided helot revolts, exacerbating the problem.
Cretan Stability: In contrast, Cretans did not face the same issue because neighboring cities shared a common interest in suppressing revolts among their own subjects.

2.2 Difficulties in Managing Subject Populations

Aristotle points out that managing subject populations is inherently difficult:
- Lax Treatment: If rulers are too lenient, the subjects may become arrogant and demand equality.
- Harsh Treatment: If rulers are too harsh, the subjects may rebel out of hatred.
The Spartans and Thessalians struggled to find the right balance, failing to develop a proper system to manage their helots.

3. Treatment of Women in Sparta (1269b-1270a)

Aristotle criticizes Spartan legislation concerning women, arguing that it undermines the regime’s goals.

3.1 Neglect of Women’s Role

Spartan women were neglected in the legislation and were allowed to live in luxury and licentiousness.
Division of the City: Aristotle stresses that since women make up half of the city, neglecting their role is a major legislative failure.

3.2 Influence of Women on Wealth and Society

Spartan women were influential in promoting luxury and the pursuit of wealth, a trait Aristotle connects to the fact that many warlike societies, such as the Spartans, tend to be dominated by women in social matters (in contrast to societies like the Celts, where male relationships are more openly honored).
Ares and Aphrodite: Aristotle cites the myth of Ares and Aphrodite to illustrate how warlike men (Ares) are often dominated by their desires (Aphrodite), resulting in poor social outcomes.

3.3 Harmful Influence of Spartan Women in War

The licentious behavior of Spartan women was not just socially harmful but also detrimental during war.
Theban Invasion: During the Theban invasion, Spartan women created more confusion and panic than the actual enemy.

4. Causes of Spartan Women’s Influence (1270a)

Aristotle explains how Spartan women came to wield such power.

4.1 Military Campaigns Left Women Unregulated

The long absence of Spartan men during wars against the Argives, Arcadians, and Messenians allowed women to gain influence.
Lycurgus’ Attempt to Reform Women: The Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus attempted to impose laws on women, but they resisted, and he eventually gave up.

5. Inequality in Property Distribution (1270a-b)

Aristotle critiques Spartan laws regarding property, which he sees as contributing to the concentration of land in the hands of a few.

5.1 Problem of Large Dowries

Nearly two-fifths of Spartan land was owned by women, a result of large dowries and inheritance practices.
Failure to Regulate Dowries: Spartan law failed to set limits on dowries or restrict the transfer of land through marriage or inheritance.

5.2 Decline of Military Capacity

Due to the concentration of wealth and property, Sparta’s once-powerful military force had dwindled to fewer than 1,000 soldiers, despite its territory being capable of supporting 1,500 cavalry and 30,000 infantry.

5.3 Law Encouraging Large Families

The law encouraged Spartans to have many children by offering tax exemptions and other incentives, but this worsened the problem of poverty as property was insufficiently distributed among the growing population.

6. The Role of the Overseers (1270b)

Aristotle critiques the office of overseers in Sparta, which he describes as overly powerful and prone to corruption.

6.1 Corruption Among Overseers

The overseers were often poor men who could easily be bribed, and they had sometimes acted against the city’s best interests.

6.2 Tyrannical Power

The office of overseer had grown overly powerful, even compelling the Spartan kings to seek their favor, turning the regime from an aristocracy into a democracy.

6.3 Positive Contribution of the Overseers

Despite these flaws, the office of overseer played a key role in holding the regime together, as it gave the people a share in political power, helping to maintain stability.

7. Problems with the Senate and Election of Senators (1270b-1271a)

Aristotle criticizes the Spartan Senate, focusing on the way senators are elected and their lifetime tenure.

7.1 Issues with Lifetime Tenure

Although the Senate was intended to be an aristocratic institution, Aristotle questions the wisdom of allowing senators to serve for life, as old age could impair their judgment.

7.2 Lack of Auditing

Senators were not subject to audits, which opened the door to corruption and favoritism.

7.3 Flawed Election Process

The election process for senators was overly simplistic and “childish,” allowing candidates to nominate themselves, which encouraged ambition and greed. Aristotle argues that those worthy of office should rule regardless of personal ambition.

8. Kingship in Sparta (1271a)

Aristotle briefly critiques the hereditary nature of Spartan kingship.

8.1 Hereditary Office

Aristotle suggests that it would be better to judge each king based on their merit rather than allowing the office to pass down through hereditary succession.

8.2 Distrust of the Kings

The legislator did not trust the Spartan kings, as evidenced by the practice of sending them on diplomatic missions accompanied by their enemies to prevent them from gaining too much power.

9. The Institution of Common Messes (1271a)

Aristotle critiques the Spartan institution of common messes, or “friends’ messes,” which were intended to foster equality and solidarity.

9.1 Funding for the Common Messes

Unlike in Crete, where the state funded the common messes, in Sparta, each citizen was required to contribute financially. This created inequality, as poorer citizens could not afford the expense, excluding them from participation in the regime.

9.2 Failure to Achieve Democratic Goals

The common messes were intended to promote democracy, but the financial burden made the institution exclusive and undemocratic.

10. Critique of the Admiralty (1271b)

Aristotle criticizes the Spartan law that established the office of admiral, which rivaled the kingship and led to factional conflict.

10.1 Rivalry with Kingship

The office of admiral functioned almost as a secondary kingship, undermining the authority of the Spartan kings and contributing to factional strife within the regime.

11. Critique of Spartan Focus on Military Virtue (1271b)

Aristotle agrees with Plato’s critique in the Laws that the Spartan regime overemphasized military virtue at the expense of other forms of virtue.

11.1 Focus on Warlike Virtue

The entire Spartan system was designed to cultivate warlike virtue, which was useful for conquest but unsuited to peace and governance.

11.2 Decline After Achieving Peace

The Spartan regime collapsed after achieving its imperial ambitions because its citizens were unprepared for the leisure required to maintain an empire.

12. Lack of Common Funds (1271b)

Aristotle criticizes the Spartans for failing to maintain a city treasury, despite their constant need for resources to wage war.

12.1 Poor Management of War Taxes

Most of the land was owned by a few Spartiates, who did not rigorously enforce the payment of war taxes, leaving the city underfunded.

Conclusion (1271b)

Aristotle concludes his critique of the Spartan regime by summarizing the major issues: its handling of property, women, military matters, and political offices all contributed to its decline. The Spartan regime failed to balance internal harmony with external ambition, ultimately leading to its downfall.