(The
meaning of “the First Spartan” need not imply a chronological primacy,
which Lycurgus surprisingly does not seem to enjoy. It can be said without any
doubt, though, that he is certainly the first in rank among the Spartans of
history, leaving the matter of chronology conveniently in the most appropriate
state of ambiguity.)
PreSocratica
by necessity is filled with legend much more than with history. (But on the
other hand, history is legend!) It is therefore natural that such a
person as Lycurgus, who is considered mostly legendary, ought to be given a
place here alongside the more traditional pre-Socratics but also such pure
legends as Orpheus. His inclusion is all the more important in view of his
sound historical connection to Sparta, both as her first king and her
lawgiver. The fact that the far more historical Solon admittedly emulated
Lycurgus in his own Athenian lawgiving makes him even more connected to the
basics of the history of Ancient Greece. Solon’s departure from Athens followed
the example of Lycurgus own departure from Sparta for Delphi having left the
Spartans with the historical legacy of his laws, and making them solemnly swear
that these laws would be followed unswervingly and unchanged in the minutest
detail, at least until the day when he was back. As we know, he never came
back, disappearing forever as a man, but gaining immortality as a legend.
The
fact that Lycurgus’s historical authenticity was highly questionable is noted
by Plutarch in the preamble to his perhaps lengthiest and most comprehensive
account of Lycurgus life and deeds, presented as an amazingly skillful
compilation of the most creditable ancient sources on Lycurgus.---
“There is so much uncertainty in the accounts historians have left
us of Lycurgus, the lawgiver of Sparta, that scarcely anything is asserted by
one of them that is not called into question or contradicted by the rest. Their
sentiments are quite different as to the family he came of, the voyages he
undertook, or the place and manner of his death, but most of all when they
speak of the laws he made and the commonwealth which he founded; and there is
least agreement among historians as to the times in which the man lived… But,
notwithstanding this confusion and obscurity, we shall endeavor to compose the
history of his life, adhering to the statements that are least contradicted and
depending upon those authors who are most worthy of credit.”
Plutarch’s
Life of Lycurgus is certainly the definitive biography of our subject of
interest, and I recommend, just like I recommended this in the previous entry
on Theseus that the reader goes to it for the most detailed information. The
earliest extant references to Lycurgus, albeit brief, can be found in
Herodotus’ Histories, and I find it worthwhile to quote him here.---
When Leon and Hegesicles were kings of Sparta, the Lacedemonians,
who were successful in all their other wars, suffered disaster in that alone
waged against the men of Tegea. Moreover in the times before this they had the
worst customs of almost all the Hellenes, both in matters that concerned
themselves alone and also because they had no dealings with strangers. But they
made their change to a good constitution of laws thus --- Lycurgus, a Spartan
of good reputation, came to the Oracle at Delphi, and as he entered the
sanctuary of the temple, the Pythian prophetess said at once:
Lo, thou art come, Lycurgus, to this rich
shrine of my temple.
Loved thou by Zeus and by all who possess
the abodes of Olympus.
Whether to call you a god, I doubt, in my
voices prophetic,
God or a man, but rather a god I think,
Lycurgus.
Some say, in addition to this, that the Pythian prophetess also set
forth to him the order of things that is now established for the Spartans; but
the Lacedemonians themselves say that Lycurgus having become guardian of his
brother’s son, who was king of the Spartans, brought this order from Crete. For
as soon as he became guardian he changed all the existing laws and took
measures that they should not transgress his institutions. After this Lycurgus
established that which appertained to war, namely army companies and Bands
of Thirty and common meals and in addition to this the Ephors and the
Senate. (Book I Chapter 65.) Having changed thus the Spartans had good
laws; and to Lycurgus after he was dead they erected a shrine and they paid him
great worship. (Book I Chapter 6.)
Curiously,
this chronologically earliest account, reaching us via Herodotus, pictures
Lycurgus as a believable historical personality, and not at all as the hallowed
founder of Sparta. His mysterious disappearance is not mentioned here either.
On the contrary, he is said to have died, which means that the hagiographic legend
of his, implying transcendence into eternity, where he joins the other gods and
his forefather Heracles, makes no impression on Herodotus (surely he must have
been aware of this particular version!) and he prefers a far more mundane
telling of the Lycurgus story. (My conclusion is that Herodotus is thus
deliberately suppressing all hints of Lycurgus’s alleged divinity, not being a
friend of Sparta and therefore not willing to grant their greatest hero a
supernatural clout.)
(To
be continued tomorrow.)
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