Lycurgus of Sparta
Lycurgus of Sparta is a seminal figure in ancient Greek history, often associated with the establishment of the unique social and political system that defined Sparta's success as a militaristic city-state. Traditionally credited with creating a framework of "eunomia," or good order, his reforms are believed to have laid the foundations for Spartan military prowess and societal stability. Although it is likely that his contributions were part of a broader evolution of Spartan institutions rather than solely his own innovations, he played a pivotal role in shaping these developments.
Lycurgus's influence is highlighted through his integration of Cretan military and political practices into Spartan life, which contributed to the city-state's formidable reputation. His legacy is so significant that both royal houses of Sparta—the Eurypontids and Agiads—claim lineage and credit for his accomplishments, reflecting the complexity of his historical narrative. The shrine built in his honor after his death underscores the lasting impact he had on Spartan culture and governance. Overall, Lycurgus remains a central figure in understanding the distinctive attributes of Spartan society.
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Lycurgus of Sparta
Related civilizations: Dorian Crete, Sparta, Archaic Greece
Major role/position: Statesman
Life
Lycurgus (li-KUR-guhs) of Sparta is traditionally credited with all the Spartan institutions of political stability and military success. The Spartans built a shrine for him when he died.
Lycurgus’s eunomia (“good order”) was probably not the work of a single person but rather an accretion. It was both precursor and aftermath to the Spartan conquest of Messenia. According to the Spartan junior royal house of the Eurypontids, the Spartans began experiencing success in wars with Eurypontid king Charillos’ Eurotas River Valley conquest in the first Olympiad of 776 b.c.e. and Eurypontid king Theopompus’s victory in Messenia because of new brigading and army discipline. Lycurgus’s eunomia came from the eunomus (“good law”) of the previous generation’s Eurypontid king, with Lycurgus acting as a notable Spartan consultant to Delphi.
However, the senior royal house of Agiads made Lycurgus one of their own and enshrined him as the guardian of underage king Leobotes. Lycurgus brought Cretan military and political institutions to Sparta and had responsibility for all Spartan law.
Influence
A great statesman, Lycurgus brokered a great social contract so practical that all subsequent Spartan peculiarities were attributed to him. Ionian proto-historians working on Spartan king lists and chronology could not reconcile two conflicting family traditions, each of which took credit for him. Later historians could not reconcile either one with real life.
Bibliography
Forrest, W. G. A History of Sparta. London: Bristol Classics, 1995.
Murray, Oswyn. Early Greece. London: Fontana Press, 1980.