Lycurgus is a male Greek name consisting of two words: λύκος, which translates as "wolf", and ἔργον, meaning "deed". Under this name, a number of characters present in Greek mythology and history are known.
One of them is Lycurgus of Sparta, the legislator to whom ancient writers attribute the political structure that dominated Sparta for several centuries.
Ancient Deity
The information that has come down to us about the life of Lycurgus of Sparta, although numerous, is often very contradictory. Therefore, there are several theories of its origin. Some authors generally believe that the name of Lycurgus meant a very ancient, forgotten deity. Initially, he was revered as a guardian of law and order. And when famous lawmakers appeared in other Greek policies, in Sparta this god was transformed in the minds of people into a human legislator.
Real personality
But there is another opinion, according toto whom this person was historical, who enjoyed divine honors, although in folk tradition his activity was embellished with fiction. The origin of Lycurgus of Sparta is not known for certain. But, as many ancient authors believe, this man belonged to the royal family. There is conflicting information about the time of life and activities of Lycurgus of Sparta. It is difficult to establish their years, but, as a rule, we are talking about the 9th-8th centuries BC. e.
Plutarch, Herodotus, as well as other authors, give different lists of Spartan kings, according to which the legendary legislator came from the Eurypontides dynasty. He is considered both as the uncle of King Evnom, and as his grandson, and as a son. The researchers explain such difficulties in genealogy by the fact that the Spartans had remnants of polyandry, in which two brothers could have one common wife.
Starting activities
According to one of the versions, after the death of his older brother Polydectes, who was the king of Sparta, Lycurgus was in the role of guardian of his little son Harilaus. According to Herodotus, the latter was called Leobot. Detractors and enemies accused the future legislator of wanting to usurp power.
To avoid the consequences of their machinations, he went on a long journey before Harilay came of age, leaving Sparta. For a long time he lived on the island of Crete, where he studied the state system, which he later transferred to Sparta.
There he met the poet Falet, who was well versed in matters of law. Lycurgus also visitedEgypt and the Greek cities of Asia Minor to study their laws and culture. Returning to his homeland, which suffered from unrest, at the request of his countrymen, he began to reform the state structure.
Favorite of the gods
As stated in the biographies of Lycurgus of Sparta, he enjoyed the support of the Delphic oracle. The Pythia called him the favorite of the gods, saying that he was more of a god than a human being. The priestess of Apollo predicted that the laws that they would give to their people would be the best in the world. Inspired by such a prediction, Lycurgus decided to start the transformation.
One day he appeared in the people's assembly. He was accompanied by thirty armed men who belonged to the most noble citizens of Sparta. In all likelihood, these could be the elders of thirty clans - the people of the Dorians consisted of them.
At first, Harilaus suspected that Lycurgus was making an attempt on his life, and fled, hiding in the temple of Pallas. But then he became convinced that his uncle was not plotting against him, and began to help him.
Laws of Lycurgus of Sparta
The ancient Greeks, and especially the Spartans, were inclined to attribute all the prescriptions that concerned the private and public life of Sparta to the reforms of Lycurgus. Of the previous state authorities, they retained only the posts of two kings.
The main institutions introduced were the following:
- Council, consisting of 30 elders, which was called "gerousia". This iswas the highest authority in the country. It included citizens from the age of 60, who, together with the two kings, discussed and decided all matters. The kings were also members of the Gerousia. They stood at the head of the army in wartime and were ministers of religious cults.
- People's assembly - apella - accepting and rejecting the decision of the council, electing elders and other officials. Consisted of those who reached the age of 30. In case of unfavorable decisions, the gerusia could be dissolved. Met once a month.
- A collegium, which included five ephors, elected for one year. She exercised supreme control over the course of affairs in the state, possessing great power. The ephors could convene the gerusia and the apella, direct foreign policy, act as judges, and monitor the implementation of laws. They had the right to override the decisions of the kings.
Other innovations
And also Lycurgus is credited with taking such measures as:
- division of all land into separate plots;
- introduction to the life of the Spartans military organization;
- establishing severe discipline in the upbringing of youth;
- participation in meals at the common table;
- fight against luxury.
According to the second of the laws of Lycurgus of Sparta, the whole earth was divided completely between citizens, so that the distinction between rich and poor would be destroyed forever. The whole of Laconia now consisted of 30 thousand fields, and the lands located around Sparta - of 9 thousand. At the same time, each field had a size that could ensure the prosperity of the family living on it.
The Spartiate community has been turned into a military camp. Its members were subject to severe discipline, all of them were required to perform military service. From 7 to 20 years old, the boys were in public education, studying military affairs, learning endurance, cunning, and the strictest discipline. From the age of 20, the Spartans became full members of the community. Until the age of 60, they were required to serve in the army.
Adults were supposed to participate in sissies, the so-called social meals. This helped to maintain the spirit of collectivism, and also weaned from luxury. And also Lycurgus of Sparta, according to legend, withdrew silver and gold coins from circulation and replaced them with heavy iron obols, which contributed to their depreciation.
And the strictest ban was also imposed: on luxury goods - on their production and consumption; to import any goods from other countries into Sparta.
Results of reforms
If the task is given: "Characterize the Spartan laws of Lycurgus", then you can rely on the opinion of Greek philosophers, which is as follows.
On the one hand, they praised his reforms, noting that they:
- ensure the protection of the state from unrest;
- ensure the rule of law;
- keep the people in strictness and obedience to the authorities.
On the other hand, there were also shortcomings of the laws. They led to:
- the state was based on bravery, notmind;
- gymnastics, the development of physical strength were valued higher than education;
- personal life was completely suppressed;
- there was no development of individual drives and abilities;
- each Spartan became only a member of the state body, living according to its instructions;
- the freedom of the individual was completely absorbed by the state, which was a military organization of the ruling class.
The result of this was that Sparta soon became immobile, and her life stopped.
Justification of innovations
It should be noted that the Spartan institutions attributed to the reforms of Lycurgus were intended to give strength and cohesion to the Dorians.
This was necessary for them so that they could keep the tribes they conquered in Laconia in obedience, and also seize primacy over other Greek states. This required the awakening and strengthening of a sense of national unity among the Spartan citizens.
What contributed to the introduction of a solid state order; the establishment of the same way of life, different from that led by other estates; the combination of this estate in one locality; the elevation of his military strength by strictly consistent discipline.
End of Life
After the reforms, the legislator Lycurgus of Sparta, having convened a national assembly, announced that he was again sent to Delphi. He decided to ask the oracle about the success of the laws he introduced. With kings and membershe took an oath to the Gerousia that they would keep these laws until he returned to Sparta.
Having sacrificed to Apollo, Lycurgus asked the oracle and in response he heard that his laws are good, that Sparta will be powerful as long as its inhabitants observe them. The legislator sent a messenger home with this prophecy. He himself died after that. One of the versions tells that it happened in Elis, another calls Kirr the place of his death.
There is a third one, according to which Lycurgus ended his earthly journey on the island of Crete, starving himself to death. He did so in order to preserve the laws he had introduced. Before his death, he bequeathed to burn his body, throwing the ashes into the sea.
Thus, he made it so that his remains could not be transported to Sparta, and its inhabitants could not be released from their oath and change the legislation of Lycurgus. At home, they built a temple for him and paid honors, as if to a deity.
