LYCITR'GIIS, a celebrated Spartan lawkiver, whose history-and legislation are involved in so much obscurity, that many- modern critics have suspected them to be mythical. The account usually given is as follows: Lyeurgus, who flourished about 880 u.c. (or, according to others, about 1100 tic.), was descended from the old Doric family of the Proclidm. His brother, Polydeetes, king of Sparta, died, leaving his widow with child. This ainbitions woman proposed to Lycurgus that lie should marry her, in event of which she promised to destroy the fruit of her womb. Lycurgus was shocked, but -feigned consent in order to save his brothel's offspring. As soon as the child, who was named Charilaus, was born, he proclaimed him king, and became his guardian. At this time, Sparta is represented as being in a state of great disorder and demoralization —the different sections of the community quarreling among themselves for political supremacy. Lycurgus. after some years left his native country, and traveled through many foreign lands—Crete, Asia Minor, India, Egypt, Libya, and Iberia—examining and comparing the political constitutions of the different countries, and finally returned to Sparta, full of knowledge fitting him to become one of the greatest legistators in the world. During his absence, things had got much worse in Sparta, and he had no sooner
arrived than tl3e entire community requested him to draw up a constitution for them. To this he consented, and having induced them to solemnly swear that they would make no change in his laws till lie came back, he again left Sparta, and was never more heard of. By this mysterious self-expatriation, 13e hoped to make the Spartan constitution eternal. The people now saw that he was a god ; a temple was erected in his honor, and annual sacri fices were ever afterwards offered to him. No critical scholar considers such a biography historical; the most that can be assumed as probable is, that a certain Lycurgus may .have once existed, who at some critical juncture in Spartan affairs may have been selected, probably on account of his wisdom and reputation, to draw up a code of laws for the better government of the state. To represent the entire legislation of Sparta as anvented (so to speak) by Lycurgus, and imposed upon the people as a novelty, is simply incredible.; the only theory- worth a moment's consideration is that which supposes him to have collected, modified, improved, and enlarged the previously existing insti tutions of Sparta (q. v.).