emphruri

EMPHRU´RI(ἔμφρουροι), from (φρουρά, the name given to the Spartan citizens and Perioeci during the period in which they were liable to military service. (Xen. Rep. Lac. 5, § 7.) This period lasted to the fortieth year from manhood (ἀφ ἥβης), that is to say, to the sixtieth year from birth; and during this time a man could not go out of the country without permission from the authorities. (Isocr. Busir. § 18, where μάχιμος, according to Müller, Dor. 3.12.1, is evidently put for ἔμφρουρος.)

The only exemption was for the father of three sons, who became ἄφρουρος (Aristot. Pol. 2.9=p. 1270 b, 3; Aelian, Ael. VH 6.6). For the rule of superannuation at sixty, cf. Xen. Hell. 5.4, § 13; Plut. Ages. 24. The word φρουρά, as Schömann observes, is characteristic of Spartan modes of thought ; all Laconia was a camp, the Spartiatae a garrison (Schömann, Antiq. 1.279, E. T.; Gilbert, Staatsalterth. 1.77).

(ἔμφρουροι). From φρουρά, the name given to the body of Spartan citizens and Perioeci during the period in which they were liable to military service ( Rep. Lac. 5. 7). This period lasted to the fortieth year from manhood (ἀφ ἥβης) —that is to say, to the sixtieth year from birth; and during this time a man could not go out of the country without permission from the authorities.

The only exemption was for the father of three sons, who became ἄφρουρος (Aelian, V. H. vi. 6). The word φρουρά, as Schömann observes, is characteristic of Spartan modes of thought; all Laconia was a camp, the Spartiatae a garrison.