Overall, the Spartans were relatively free to criticize their kings and they were able to depose and exile them. However, despite these "democratic" elements in the Spartan constitution, there are two cardinal criticisms, classifying Sparta as an oligarchy. First, individual freedom was restricted, since as Plutarch writes ""no man was allowed to live as he wished"", but as in a ""military camp"" all were engaged in the public service of their polis. And second, the gerousia effectively maintained the biggest share of power of the various governmental bodies.