SOURCE: David, Ephraim. “Aristotle and Sparta.” Ancient Society 13-14 (1982-83): 68-103.

In the following excerpt, David endeavors to reconcile the inherent contradiction of Aristotle's combined critique and idealization of Sparta in his Politics.

1. Why ‘aristotle and Sparta’ Again?

Aristotle's special interest in political research, inherited partly from his master, led him to analyse, compare and evaluate various forms of government, to locate their centres of power and the social forces behind them, and also to propose a model of an ideal State. However, his interest in the empirical research of politics and in constitutional detail was far greater than that of Plato. The best evidence of this is to be found in his attested 158 Politeiai, a monumental enterprise carried out with the help of his pupils.

An important monograph from this collection was devoted to Sparta. This work, however, Lakedaimonion Politeia, has been lost, and its loss is...