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Legal power[edit]
The ephors held numerous duties in legislative, judicial, financial, and executive matters. Following Lycurgus' 'Asteropus' in 620 BCE (increase in the power of the ephorate) the ephors became the ambassadors of Sparta, handling all matters associated with foreign relations, including the creation of treaties with foreign powers and meeting with emissaries to discuss foreign politics. They held power within Sparta by also acting as the Presidents of the assembly and the justices of the supreme civil court as well as controlling army composition.

Two ephors were always sent on military expeditions to ensure the king acted in line, and if not, could put the king on trial. Many kings have been put on trial by the ephors, including Leotychidas, who was found to have accepted a bribe from the Thessalians during his military expedition to Thessaly. The ephors, along with the Gerousia, held the majority of the power within the spartan government as the two kings had to consult either with the ephors or the gerousia in almost any official matter. The ephors also held a dramatic amount of political power over those of lower class (Helots and Perioeci). They controlled the 'Crypteia' (which acted as a secret police to silence Helots), and were even able to sentence Perioeci to death without a trial.

There have been times where the legal power of an ephor has been taken advantage of. Such is the case of Alcibiades' use of Endius, whom was used to persuade the Spartans to allow Alcibiades to take control over Sparta's peace mission with Athens in 420 BCE.