cient and modern, for reasons well set fortli- by Monsieur 

 L Evesque.'^ 



Its ainhoritj was distributed betwixt four ditlerent bodies, 

 lu'o kings conjointlj reigning, a senate, five Ephori (a sort 

 ot tribunes of the people) and the assembly of the people; 

 but at last the whole power centered in the Ephori. 



'J'here were originally two flections in Sparta ; after violent 

 dissentions, one proved victorious, and engrossed the sove- 

 reignty ; it consisted of .9 or 10,000 persons, to which the 

 other, consisting of 30,000, was subjected. This class was 

 called Jree, although in reality enslaved. The number of those 

 that groaned under the yoke of the first or governing class 

 was increased by the inhabitants of the city of Helos, who 

 Avere reduced to the most abject servitude. Even those of 

 the second class who were denominated not slaves, but 

 subjects, might be put to death at the caprice of the Ephori, 

 without examination of their guilt. The best lands were 

 sei;^ed by the first class, and the poorest given to the second, 

 and were scarcely sufficient for their support. 



'i'he Helotes were compelled to labour for both these classes ; 

 their masters were forbidden to grant them their liberty ; nay, 

 they received a certain number of lashes every year, with a view 

 of keeping them in mind of their obedience ; if any of them 



^^ ^ . was 



• Third Vol. of the Institute, p. 347, 



