Historian+Of+Lycurgus's+Sparta

Sparta, one of the most powerful city-states was originally ruled by a few, powerful and wealthy men. Because their society was based on war, all males, beginning at the age of seven, were expected to become soldiers. The first and second Messenian Wars were fought between Sparta and the country of Messenia, resulting in the Spartan control of the Helots, the Messenian people made slaves after their defeat by the Spartans. Strong city-states were required to control the Helots with strong leadership and new ideas. Lycurgus, a Spartan ruler, was instrumental in controlling the uprising of the Helots with his new ideas that reformed Spartan society.

The first Messenia war began about 743 B.C. and it lasted about 19 years. Historical records show each side stated differing reasons for the cause of the war. The Messenians claimed young soldiers sent by Teleklos, the king of Sparta, were killed as they attempted to assasinate the Messenian leaders. The Spartans tell of the raping of Spartan virgins and the murder of Teleklos their king. Sparta’s first major battle was at Mount Ithome when the Messenians first sent for help from the Oracle at Delphi. They were advised to sacrifice a royal virgin. The daughter of Aristodemus, a Messenian hero, was selected to be sacrificed. After learning about this, the Spartans waited years to attack Ithome and kill the Messenian leader. In the meantime, Aristodemus was chosen the new Messenian king and led his troops against Sparta. The Spartans fought back and drove back the Messenians, causing Ithome to fall and their leader, Aristodemus to commit suicide. The Messenians were captured and enslaved.

The captured Messenians were called Helots, the unfree peasants of Spartan society. Although they could be emancipated or even earn the money to buy their freedom, most Helots lived a difficult life with almost no personal rights. They were assigned to citizens to do domestic or agricultural work. Sometimes, they served in the military as rowers on ships. Their lives were limited with little or no personal freedom. Helots lived in family units and actually contracted unions among themselves although the state did not recognize the marriages or family relationships. Their numbers increased significantly while the Spartan population declined, thus causing a great difference in the number of free and enslaved people in Sparta.

The Messenian Helots remained slaves to the Spartans for forty years following the First Messenian War. In 685 B.C. The slaves rebelled against Sparta, causing the Second Messenian War which lasted seventeen years. The population of the Messenian Helots was large, causing fear in Sparta. To control this fear, a strict military discipline was used to permanently guard and control the Helots who probably outnumbered the Spartans seven to one.

This fear of slave rebellion called for changes in Spartan society which eventually were accomplished by leaders such as Lycurgus. Lycurgus, according to Plutarch, was a war veteran and the second prince from one of the two ruling family in Sparta. Charilaus, the nephew of Lycurgus, became the king when his father died before he was born. The Spartan people respected and admired Lycurgus because of his kindness to his nephew, and his obvious respect for the order of power in the royal family; however, the wealthier citizens and the mother of King Charilaus were suspicious of Lycurgus. They believed he had actually plotted the death of his brother, the former king. Eventually, Lycurgus was forced to flee Sparta, giving up all power and finally settling on the island of Crete where he became friend with Thales the poet. While in Crete, Lycurgus studied government, especially forms that would work well for Sparta. Finally, Lycurgus persuaded Thales to come back with him to Sparta and sing songs to the people to prepare them for the changes he envisioned for his country. Lycurgus also visited Egypt and Ionia to study the differences in their beliefs and attitudes.

After his years away from Sparta, Lycurgus returned to his homeland at the request of the Spartan people. He brought with him new ideas that were in accordance with the Oracles of Delphi. The changes that he wanted to bring to Sparta was centered on the military, equality among the citizens, and strictness of the Spartan lifestyle. During his leadership in Sparta, Lycurgus promoted the use of public mess-halls, where all men ate together. He also promoted the development of the agoge where all six year old boys were put into strict military training. He also substituted iron money for gold and silver and destroyed the city walls to promote martial skills by the citizens.

Through the leadership of Lycurgus and his new military training and innovative ideas concerning citizenship, the society of Sparta flourished. The Helots, although outnumbering the Spartans, were successfully controlled and the country of Sparta remained a strong presence in the world for many centuries.

Posted by Walden (Kayla)