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,