Abstract
In the Republic, the Spartan form of government, which Plato called timocracy, appears as the least bad of the imperfect governments. It adds to its own features those of aristocracy and of oligarchy, while the timocratic man is caracterized by passion and ambition. In the Laws, of the three Doric cities of the Peloponnesos Sparta is presented as the only one that could preserve a balanced constitution, combining double monarchy, gerousia and ephors : this government is therefore an harmonious association of the different forms of government. The Lacedemonian society is less praised. In the Laws, the rough treatment of the Hilots is briefly criticized, while Spartan women are now blamed for their dissolute behaviour. Plato attacks also the excessive militarism of the Spartans and their neglecting «mousike » while favouring gymnastics. Their pederasty, considered with sympathy in the Republic, is severely condemned in the Laws.
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