What was the most important role of ephors in ancient Sparta? A. They controlled the helots.
B. They made sure that kings followed the law.
C. They led the assembly.
D. They presented laws for the kings' approval.

B. They made sure that kings followed the law.

Explanation:

The word "Ephor" was a title given to the highest magistrate of ancient Sparta because they were an overseer of the spartan assembly. The ephors were elected on an annual basis and were typically made to swore an oath on behalf of the spartan city. Unlike the ephors, the king of Sparta is only made to swear an oath just for themselves.

Basically, the ephors were five in numbers and with the king of Sparta they all formed the executive arm of government in ancient Sparta.

Furthermore, the ephors were saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the decisions made by the spartan assembly (legislature) and ensures they are all made in accordance with the spartan constitution (Laws of Sparta). After the laws are enacted, the ephors ensures that the king acts in accordance with these laws.

This ultimately implies that, the ephors performed check and balances in ancient Sparta.

Hence, the most important role of ephors in ancient Sparta was that they made sure that kings followed the law.