counted. The ekklesia simply accepted or rejected the proposals submitted to it. In later times, too, the actual debate was almost, if not wholly, confined to the kings, elders, ephors and perhaps the other magistrates. The apella voted on peace and war, treaties and foreign policy in general. It decided the king who should conduct a campaign and settled questions of disputed succession to the throne. It elected elders, ephors and other magistrates, emancipated helots and perhaps voted on legal proposals. There is a single reference to a "small assembly" () at Sparta, but nothing is known as to its nature or competence. The ekklesia was responsible for electing men to the gerousia for life. Candidates were selected from the aristocrats and presented before the apella. The candidate who received the loudest applause became a member of the gerousia. The ekklesia also elected the five ephors annually. Ephors presided over meetings of the gerousia and the apella. They could not run for re-election. The ephorate presented motions before the ekklesia. The ekklesia then voted on the motions. However, unlike the ecclesia in Athens, the ekklesia did not debate; it merely approved or disapproved of measures. Moreover, the gerousia always had the power to veto the decision of the ekklesia. See also Apellai Great Rhetra Apellaia Notes Bibliography Ancient sources Plutarch, Parallel Lives (Lycurgus). Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War (translation by Richard Crawley on Wikisource). Modern sources G. E. M. de Ste. Croix, The Origins of the Peloponnesian War'', London, Duckworth, 1972. Government of Sparta Historical legislatures Popular assemblies