Who were the Spartiates in Spartan society?

The Spartiates were the full citizens of Sparta and comprised the military elite of Spartan society. They possessed full rights and privileges, which included participation in the assembly and the ability to engage in political life. This group was made up of individuals who had completed rigorous training through the agoge system, a unique educational and military training program that instilled discipline, obedience, and combat skills.

In contrast, other groups within Sparta such as the Helots, were essentially serfs tied to the land and worked for the Spartiates; they were not citizens and had no political rights. Non-citizens, often referred to as Perioikoi, occupied a middle ground in society, performing various economic roles but lacking full citizenship privileges. Free merchants would typically fall outside of the primary societal structure of Spartan governance and military focus, which centered around the Spartiates.

Thus, the designation of Spartiates as full Spartan citizens highlights their pivotal role in maintaining Spartan military dominance and their unique status within the highly structured social hierarchy of ancient Sparta.