Lycurgus

Jan 11, 2021

The podcast discusses the mythical founder of Spartan Polis, Lycurgus, and his lasting impact on subsequent generations. It explores the moral dilemma faced by Lycurgus and his clever outwitting of seductive plans. The historical significance of Asia Minor, the discovery of Homer's poems, and Lycurgus' legal changes are also examined. The establishment of a balanced government system with the Council of Elders and the redistribution of land in Sparta are discussed, along with the social hierarchy and ban on trade.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Moral Dilemma and Travels of Lycurgus

02:14 • 5min

Asia Minor, the Homeric Poems, and Lycurgus' Legal Changes

07:37 • 4min

Establishment of a Balanced Government and the Role of the Council of Elders

11:19 • 3min

Redistribution of Land and Social Hierarchy in Sparta

14:13 • 14min

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Lycurgus was once asked why Sparta had no defensive wall around its perimeter. He responded, "A city is well-fortified with a wall of men instead of brick."

Parallel - Numa

Important Places

Sparta
Crete
Asia Minor
Egypt

Important People

Homer
Alcander
Lysander

Outline

Uncertain origins: second son of King of Sparta
- Expected to become king when father and brother dead
- Chemical Abortion or Infanticide?
- Charilaus born - joy of the people
- 8-month reign as regent incites envy

Lycurgus Learns through Travel

Travels
- Crete
  - Poetry makes good laws palatable
  - Private hostilities calmed
- Asia Minor
  - Crete was healthy “simple and severe”
  - Asia diseased “extravagant and permissive”
  - Lycurgus discovers the poems of Homer!
    - makes Homer famous all over mainland Greece
    - Homer's poetry harmonizes well with the Spartan ideals of military courage as the highest virtue
Return Home
- Lycurgus resolves to rewrite the entire Spartan system of government
  - Not a written constitution; this will become particularly clear later on
- Apollo gives his blessing calling Lycurgus “more god than man”
  - Apollo also prophesies that his reforms will be “by far the strongest and best of all constitutions”
- He and 30 friends take over the marketplace

Legals changes 1, 2, 3

ONE: Gerousia (Senate)
- γέρων (gerōn) – old man – Council of Elders --> γερουσία (Gerousia)
- senex – old man – Council of Elders --> Senate (see Life of Romulus)
- Rhetrai [sections 6 and 13]
  - Verbal contracts with sacred force
  - The name for most utterances of the gods to men
  - Not to be ignored or trampled over lightly
  - “named in the belief that they came from the gods as oracles”
- The GREAT RHETRA (from Apollo)
  - Mixed Constitution
    - 2 Kings
    - Gerousia
    - 5 Ephors – balance the power of the oligarchs
TWO: Redistribution of Land
- Purpose – “To end jealousy, vice, and luxury”
- Homoioi – equals
- Perikoikoi – (not mentioned in this life)
- Helots – etym. “the seized” a particularly brutal form of slavery, even by an ancient standard [28]
- Citizens forbidden from
  - Using coins (iron bars instead)
  - Practicing a trade
THREE: Syssitia (Common Meals)
- Fixed Menu – black broth the staple!
- Wealth – blind, lifeless, and still in Sparta
- The wealthy react poorly
- Lycurgus loses an eye!
  - Punishment for Alcander
    - Serve Lycurgus
    - Converted to thinking L is best man and himself becomes “Sparta’s most well-mannered and wise citizens”
    - Temple to Athena Optilis
  - The COHORT (15 members)
    - Everyone contributes food
    - King Agis not allowed to dine at home
    - Children learn self-discipline here (GRK: σωφροσύνη)
      - What happens in here, stays in here
      - Take a joke, and give one!
    - Bread-basket ballot
Three other minor rhetras
- Don’t write these down! (Training and Ethics more important than Laws)
- Simple Homes: All tools except ax and saw forbidden
- Don’t fight consistently against the same enemy
Marriage and Childbirth [14-16]
The Agōgē (ἀγωγή) [16-19] and the Political Setup (for next time)

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