Librarian+of+Lycurgus's+Sparta

Two Articles on Lycurgus's Sparta Lycurgus was an ideal Spartan ruler. In his Laws, Lycurgus called for the distribution of equal amounts of land to the Spartan people. He undertook to divide their movable property to eliminate the thought of inequality. Lycurgus also made everyone eat in mess halls. This rule attacked luxury and wealth, and prevented the people from becoming fat and lazy. Once Lycurgus established his laws, he showed the true nature of a ruler by leaving Sparta for the good of his people. He told the people to maintain his laws until he ruturned, but he never returned to Sparta. Two articles that may be helpful in understanding Lycurgus's Sparta are "Lycurgus the Father of Sparta" by Plutarch, and "Lycurgus Lawgiver of Sparta" by N.S. Gill. "Lycurgus the Father of Sparta" by Plutarch explains how Lycurgus came to power. According to Plutarch, "Lycurgus was a descendent of Hercules, and a prince in one of the two royal families of Sparta" (Plutarch). His father and brother both died, leaving him with the throne, until his brother's wife had a son. His brother's wife came to him, saying she would abort the child if he would marry her. Lycurgus went along with this. Lycurgus showed his true character as a ruler when the baby boy was brought to him, and he appointed him as Sparta's true king. Because the boy's mother was neglected by Lycurgus, she accused him of plotting the boy's death; therefore, Lycurgus left Sparta and went to Crete until the boy "fathered a son and secured the succession" (Plutarch). "Lycurgus Lawgiver of Sparta" by N.S. Gill gives a good overveiw of Lycurgus's return to Sparta, and his new laws. Gill says that the Spartans realized that they needed Lycurgus back and persuaded him to return to Sparta. According to Gill, "Lycurgus agreed to do so, but first he had to consult with Delphic Oracle. The advice of the oracle was so well respected that it would add authority to whatever was done in its name. After consulting with the oracle, Lycurgus was told that his laws would become the most famous in the world" (Gill). On his return, Lycurgus provided Sparta with a constitution. He also changed its economy by banning the ownership of gold or silver and useless occupations. He reformed Sparta socially by starting a state-run education system. His education system emphasized the "training of women, the peculiar non-monogamous Spartan marriages and the role of the state in deciding which newborn was fit to live" (Gill). The articles "Lycurgus Lawgiver of Sparta" and "Lycurgus the Father of Sparta" above show that Lycurgus was an ideal ruler. He gave up his power as king, and gave it to the rightful King for the sake of justice. He strengthened Sparta as a state by changing its economy and reforming its citizens socially. Lycurgus also showed how he cared about the future of Sparta by leaving them with his laws.

Posted by Socrates