Editing Ephor (section)

== Election ==
The ephorate elections took place close to the [[September equinox|Autumn equinox]], because the term of the ephors matched the Spartan year, which started with the first full Moon after the equinox, therefore the end of September or October.

There was probably an age requirement of at least 30 years old to be elected ephor, the age from which a Spartan citizen was no longer considered [[eromenos]].<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', pp. 252, 253, 291.</ref>

The Spartan constitution is principally known through the work of Aristotle, who describes in detail the elections of the gerontes (the members of the Gerousia), but not the ephors. It is still assumed that the election procedure was similar.<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', p. 296.</ref> Candidates passed one by one before the assembled citizens, who shouted according to their preference, while several assessors who were confined into a windowless building declared winners the five candidates with the loudest shouts. As with the gerontes, this system of [[Voice vote|voice voting]] was considered "childish" by Aristotle, because influential men could easily manipulate the results by pressuring the jury.<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', pp. 296, 297.</ref>

The kings played a prominent role during election campaigns by favouring their candidates, even though only one instance of such practice is known, when in 243/2 Lysander was elected ephor with the help of the king [[Agis IV]]. The fact that influential kings such as [[Cleomenes I]] or [[Agesilaus II]] had no reported conflict with the ephors support the view that they could decide who would be the ephors.<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', pp. 298, 299.</ref> Some ephors were elected thanks to a famous deed that made them known among voters. For example, Leon, ephor in 419/8, had won the [[quadriga]] race at the [[Ancient Olympic Games|Olympic Games]] in 440, while his son [[Antalcidas|Antalkidas]] had concluded a treaty with [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]] in 387 before becoming ephor in 370/69.<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', pp. 277, 278, 300.</ref> The famous general [[Brasidas]] was elected in 431 just after his victory against Athens at [[Methone (Messenia)|Methone]].<ref>Richer, ''Les éphores'', pp. 275–277, 300.</ref>