There is limited evidence that Sparta had elements of democracy, as it was a highly militaristic and authoritarian society. However, one piece of evidence that suggests some democratic elements is the fact that Sparta had an assembly of citizens, called the Apella, which was responsible for making important decisions such as electing officials and declaring war. This assembly was open to all male citizens over the age of 30, indicating a level of democratic participation. Additionally, certain officials in Sparta, such as the ephors, were elected rather than appointed, which could be seen as a democratic practice. However, it is important to note that these democratic elements were limited and often only applied to a small portion of the population, such as free male citizens. Women, slaves, and non-citizen residents were excluded from these democratic processes.
