He died while holding the office of To-
the latter was repulsed in his attempe to pass the otaths of the theatre of Dionysus, in B.
the latter was repulsed in his attempe to pass the otaths of the theatre of Dionysus, in B.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
The point be very limited, since these things are only
office of ephors was common to several Doric states. the outward appearance of a nation's character,
They were originally officers of police, exercised a which it would be just as easy to alter by legal
civil jurisdiction in minor cases (Mill. Dor. iii. 7), enactments as a negro lawgiver might by the same
and were doubtlessly coeval with the first origin of means change the black colour of his countrymen
the Spartan state.
or their woolly hair. No power on earth could
Such considerations have induced modern critics induce the population of any town or village in
to examine more carefully the truth of every se- modern Europe to adopt the manner of life of the
parate statement, in order thus to arrive at a more ancient Spartans, granting that this were otherwise
correct notion of the influence of the individual possible; and we are equally positive in asserting
mind of a lawgiver on the spirit of the Spartan that the influence of Lycurgus on the chancur oi
constitution. Some critics have gone quite to the his countrymen, however great it may have been,
extreme, and, placing Lycurgus in the same category could never materially alter their peculiar mode of
with Theseus or Romulus, have entirely denied his life.
historical existence, alleging the authority of llcl- 3. The difficulty of influencing a political com-
Janicus, the most ancient writer on Sparta, who munity in almost every concern of public and
ascribes the Spartan institutions to l'rocles and private life by legal enactments is still further in-
Eurysthenes, without even mentioning the name of creased, if we consider the means at the disposal of
Lycurgus. (Strab. viii. p. 366. ) Other reasons a lawgiver in the time of Lycurgus. We know
alleged for this view are contained in the divine well the difficulty there is in putting in force a
honours paid to Lycurgus at Sparta, and the sig- single new law. What could Lycurgus have
nificant name of Eunomus, his father, nephew, or done without all the means of modern times, with-
brother, according to different accounts. We are out a nicely arranged administration, without even
not inclined to go all the length of this argument; the art of writing? This art, although existing at
we allow with the soberest modern historians the that time, was not used for fixing and preserving the
reality of Lycurgus, but in order to limit the ex- laws of Lycurgus. A particular rhetra forbade the
aggerations of the ancients, we adduce the follow- use of it. (Plut. Lyc. 13. ) The laws were trans-
ing considerations, which tend to show that by far mitted by word of mouth, and existed only in the
the greater part of the regulations which are com- memory and hearts of the citizens. Is it possible
monly ascribed to Lycurgus arose, independently that a great number of them could originate at
of him, by the spontaneous development of the once ? We know a few of the rhetrae ascribed to
commonwealth of Sparta.
Lycurgus. They lay down simply the broad fun-
1. It is a general and obvious remark, that damental features of the constitution. All the
people have a propensity to ascribe to prominent detail, it appears, was left to be regulated by the
individuals the sayings and doings of a great many prevailing sentiment among the Spartans.
less celebrated persons, and to make these indi- 4. What we have said with regard to the tend-
viduals the representatives of whole ages. This ency of all the institutions of Sparta, viz. that
propensity is more especially peculiar to an age of their object was to keep down a large subject
primitive simplicity, ignorance, and poetry. A population, and that they were necessary for this
prosaical, analysing, scientific research, dispels such purpose, is at the same time an argument for
delusions. We no longer imagine that Romulus doubting the influence of Lycurgus. Sparta as-
selected out of his motley crowd of fugitives some sumed from the time of the invasion of Peloponnesus
few whom he made patricians, nor that he devised the attitude of a conqueror. The Helots existed
the division of the people into tribes and curiae, before the time of Lycurgus, and consequently also
nor that Numa invented religious rites wholly the contrivances of the Spartan state to keep them
anomalous with the existing institutions; we know in subjection. The only thing that we can allow
now that the twelve tables of the decem virs con- is, that before the time of Lycurgus these insti-
tained little, if anything, that was new, and only tutions were in a state of development, and varying
reduced to a concise, fixed form the laws which at various times and occasions ; and that they
were formerly only partially and imperfectly written were finally settled in the reform which the whole
down.
If we lived in an age similar to the early state underwent through Lycurgus. We hear of
period of Grecian history, there can be no doubt disorders that prevailed at Sparta, of quarrels be-
that the Code Napoleon would soon be regarded in tween the community (people) and the king (Plut.
the same light in which the ancients regarded the Luc. 2), of the tyranny of king Charilaus (Arist.
legislation of Lycurgus. It would be considered Pol. v. 10. $3), which was put an end to by the
to have entirely emanated from one individual establishment of an aristocracy; at the same time
niind, without having any connection with previous we read of an equal division of land, so opposed to
institutions. Such being the case, we naturally the spirit of aristocracy. The easiest explanation
hesitate before we admit all that we hear about the of these traditions is that given by bishop Thirlwall
legislation of Lycurgus.
(Hist. of Gr. vol. i. p. 297), that the quarrels were
2. Our doubts will be reasonably confirmed by not among the Spartans themselves, but between
the observation, that the chief part of that reform them and the Laconian provincials, many of whom
which is ascribed to Lycurgus consists not in de were only recently subjected, or still independent.
finite regulations concerning the functions of the “ It seems not improbable that it was reserved for
various magistrates, the administration, criminal or Lycurgus finally to settle the relative position of
civil law, in short, the purely political organisation the several classes” (p. 300). This theory appears
of the state ; but in the peculiar direction he is the more correct, as it is evident from the com-
said to have given to the nature of private life, to parison of other Dorian states in Peloponnesus and
the manners and custonis, modes of thinking and Crete, that the peculiar character of the Dorian
## p. 857 (#873) ############################################
LYCURGUS.
857
LYCURGUS.
.
rare developed itself purely only in those countries in the Spartan constitution is in its origin inde-
where, as in Crete, the Dorians were prevented pendent of Lycurgus. llis merit consists partly in
from mixing with other races. In proportion as fixing the institutions he found, or in re-establish-
they amalgamated with the conquered the Dorian ing older regulations, which began to give way,
character disappeared, as, for instance, in Corinth, partly in restoring peace by his personal influence,
Argos, and Messenia. If therefore Sparta owed to and aiding in establishing or restoring that equal
Lycurgus the confirmation of her political ascend- division of property, and that subjection of the
ency over her subjects, and was thus enabled to conquered under the conquerors, which were es-
preserve and develope the original Dorian cha. sential for preserving the Doric character in its
racter, it is explained how Lycurgus could be purity.
regarded as the originator of things which in reality The ancient literature on Lycurgus is chiefly
he was only accessory in npholding.
contained in Plutarch's Lycurgus and Institutu Lu-
5. There is one consideration more to corroborate conica ; Xenophon, de Republica Luccducmoniur.
the view which we take of Lycurgus. We have excellent edition by Fr. Haase, 1833) ; Aristotle's
just mentioned, that the institutions of Sparta were Politics, ii. 6. Comprehensive collections of all the
originally not peculiar to her alone, but were materials are those of Nic. Cragins (ie Popull.
common to the whole Dorian race. Müller, in his Lacedaem. Genev. 1593), and T. Meursius (Mis-
Dorians, bas proved this point beyond all doubt. cellanca Laconici, Amst. 1661, and De Remo
He adduces Pindar (iii. 1. § 7), who mentions Laconico, Ultraj. 1687 ; also in Gronov. Thesuur).
(Pyth. i. 61) that Hieron the Syracusan wished to Of more recent date are Arnold's 2nd appen-
establish the new city of Aetna upon the genuine dix to his Thucydides, on the Spartun Consti-
Doric principles. He founded it “with Jucaren- tution ; a review of this by G. C. Lewis, in the
built freedom, according to the laws of the lyllean Philological Museum, vol. i. ; Manso's Sparta,
model,” i. e. after the example of the Spartan con- 1800; Müller's Dorians; Wachsmuth, Hellen.
stitution ; " for the descendants of Pamphilus and Allerth. $ 55; Hermann's Political Antiq. , where,
of the Heracleiduc, who dwell under thic brow of $ 23, the whole literature is given at full length;
Taygetus, wish always to retain the Doric institutions and Grote's History of Greece, vol. ij. c. 6. [W. 1. ]
of Aegimius. " This passage is as decisive as can LYCURGUS (ukollpros). ). An Athenian,
be to prove that the laws of Sparta were considered son of Aristoluïdas, was the leader of the liigh oli-
the true Doric institutions. (Comp. Hermann, garchical party, or the party of the plain, while
Pol. Ant. § 20, 1. ) Müller has enlarged upon those of the const and the highlands were headed
this subject by tracing remnants of the same Doric respectively by Megacles, the Alcmaconid, and
institutions in other Doric states, where, as we Peisistratus. The government having been usurped
have seen, they are found effaced more or less, by Peisistratus, in B. c. 560, Megacles and Lycur-
through the admission of strangers to the right of gus coalesced and drove him out in B. C. 554. But
citizenship. But in Crete these institutions were they then renewed their dissensions with one
preserved in their full purity to such an extent, another, and the consequence was the restoration
that the ancients unanimously made Lycurgus of Peisistratus, in B. c. 548, by marriage with the
borrow part of his laws from his Cretan kinsmen. daughter of Megacles. He treated the lady, how-
(Strab. X. p. 737, a. ; Hoeck, Kreta, iii. p. 11. ) ever, as only nominally his wife, and the Alcmaeo-
There existed in that island Helots (called apauia- nidae, indignant at the insult, again made common
ται or μνώται), subject provincials (υπήκοοι), εys- cause with Lycurgus, and expelled Peisistratus for
sitia, all nearly on the same principles as in Sparta. the second time, in B. c. 517. (Her. i. 59, &c. )
The Cretan education resembled that of Sparta in 2. A Lacedaemonian, who, though not of the
every feature, in short, the whole aspect of political, royal blood, was chosen king, in B. c. 220, together
and still more that of social life, was the same in with Agesipolis III. , after the death of Cleonienes;
both countries, whence Plato called their laws in the words of Polybius, " by giving a talent to
ådendous vóuous. (Plat. de Leg. ii. p. 683, a; comp. each of the Ephori, he became a descendant of
Arist. Pol. ii. 7. $ 1. ) But, far from discovering Heracles and king of Sparta. " It was not long
in this circumstance a proof that Sparta borrowed before he deposed his colleague and made himself
her laws froin Crete, we recognise in those of the sole sovereign, though under the control of the
latter country only another independent develop- Ephori. Placed on the throne by the party favour-
ment of the Doric institutions (Herm. Pol. Ant. $ able to Aetolin, he readily listened to the instiga-
20,10), without however denying that of which we tions of Machatas, the Aetolian envoy, to make
have no positive proof, that Lycurgus in his reform war on Philip V. of Macedon, and the Achaeans.
may have had in view the similar organisation of Having invaded Argolis and taken several towns,
the kindred tribe. (Müll. Dor. iii. 1. & 8. ) For he laid siege to the fortress named Athenaeum, in
this purpose it can be indifferent to us whether, as the district of Belbina, claimed by the Megalopo-
Müller thinks, the Dorians migrated into Crete litans as their territory, and took it in consequence
from the district of mount Olympus long before the of the dilatory conduct of Aratus, to whom it
Trojan war, so that Minos would be a Dorian, and looked for succour, B. C. 219. In the same year
his legislation founded on Doric principles (Müll. he barely escaped with his life from the conspiracy
in. 1. 9), or whether the Dorians only came into of Cheilon, and fled for refuge to Pellene on the
Crete sixty or eighty years after their conquest of western frontier of Laconia. In B. c. 218 he made
Peloponnesus under Pollis and Althaemenes (Diod. an incursion into Messenia, simultaneously with
iv. 60, v. 80), according to Hoeck (Kreta, ii. the invasion of Thessaly by Dorimachus, the Aeto-
lian, in the hope of drawing Philip away from the
To sum up our opinion in a few words, we would siege of Palus in Cephallenia ; but Philip, while
say that, although we do not deny the historical he himself invaded Aetolia, desired Eperatus, the
reality of Lycurgus, or his character as a legislator Achacan general, to go to the relief of the Messe-
of Sparta, yet we consider that every thing essential | niins. Lycurgus effected little in Messenia, and
p. 15).
## p. 858 (#874) ############################################
858
LYCURGUS.
LYCUS.
was equally unsuccessful in the same year, in an full of anecdotes and characteristic features o.
attempt which he made on the citadel of Tegen, Lycurgus, from which we must infer that he was
and also in his endeavour to intercept and defeat one of the noblest specimens of old Attic virtue,
Philip in the passes of the Menelaïon, on his return and a worthy contemporary of Demosthenes. He
from his invasion of Laconia. Not long after, he often appeared as a successful accuser in the Athe.
was falsely accused to the Ephori of revolutionary nian courts, but he himself was as often accused
designs, and was obliged to flee to Actolia for by others, though he always, and even in the last
safety. In the following year, however (B. c. 217), days of his life, succeeded in silencing his enemics.
the Ephori discovered the groundlessness of the Thus we know that he was attacked by Philinus
charge and recalled him ; and soon after he made (llarpocrat. s. v. Sewpixá), Deinarchus (Dionys.
an inrond into Messenin, in which he was to have Dinarch. 10), Aristogeiton, Menesaechmus, and
been joined by Pyrrhias, the Aetolian general, but others.
He died while holding the office of To-
the latter was repulsed in his attempe to pass the otaths of the theatre of Dionysus, in B. c. 3:23. A
frontier, and Lycurgus returned to Sparta without fragment of an inscription, containing the account
having effected and thing. lle died about B. C. which he rendered to the state of his administration
210, and Machanidas then made himself tyrant of the finances, is still extant. At his death he left
(Pol. iv. 2, 35-37, 60, 81, v. 5, 17, 21-233, 29), behind three sons, by his wife Callisto, who were
91, 92 ; Paus. iv. 29; Liv. xxxiv. 26. ) Lycurgus severely persccuted by Menesaechmus and Thra-
left a son named Pelops, who was put to death by sycles, but were defended by Hyperides and De-
Nabis, B. C. 205. (Diod. Eac de Virt. et l'it. p. mocles. (Plut. l. c. p. 812, &c. ) Among the
570 ; Vales, and Wess. ad loc. ) [E. E. ) honours which were conferred upon him, we may
LYCURGUS (Aukvūpyos), an Attic orator, was mention, that the archon Anaxicrates ordered a
born at Athens about B. C. 396, and was the son bronze statue to be erccted to him in the Cerita
of Lycophron, who belonged to the noble family of meicus, and that he and his eldest son should be
the Eteobutadae. (Plut. Vit. X. Orat. p. 841; entertained in the prytaneium at the public ex-
Suidas, s. v. Avkoupyos ; Phot. Bibl. Cod. 268, pense.
p. 496, &c. ) In liis early life he devoted himself The ancients mention fifteen orations of Ly-
to the study of philosophy in the school of Plato, curgus as extant in their days (Plut. l. c. p. 813 ;
but afterwards became one of the disciples of Iso- | Phot. l. c. p. 496, b), but we know the titles of at
crates, and entered upon public life at a compara- least twenty. (Westermann, Gesch. d. Griech.
tively early age. He was appointed three successive Beredt. , Beilage vi. p. 296. ) With the exception,
times to the office of Taulas tſis kolvñs apogówou, however, of one entire oration against Leocrates,
i. e. manager of the public revenue, and held his and some fragments of others, all the rest are lost,
office each time for five years, beginning with B. C. so that our knowledge of his skill and style as an
337. The conscientiousness with which he dis- orator is very incomplete. Dionysius and other
charged the duties of this office enabled him to ancient critics draw particular attention to the
raise the public revenue to the sum of 1200 talents. ethical tendency of his orations, but they censure
This, as well as the unwearied activity with which the harshness of his metaphors, the inaccuracy in
he laboured both for increasing the security and the arrangement of his subject, and his frequent
splendour of the city of Athens, gained for him the digressions. His style is noble and grand, but
universal confidence of the people to such a degree, neither elegant nor pleasing. (Dionys. Vet. Script.
that when Alexander the Great demanded, among cens. v. 3; Hermogen. De Form. Orat. ii. p. 500 ;
the other opponents of the Macedonian interest, Dion Chrysost. Or. xviii. p. 256, ed. Mor. ) His
the surrender of Lycurgus also, who had, in con- works seem to have been commented upon by Di-
junction with Demosthenes, exerted himself against dymus of Alexandria. (Harpocrat. s. cr, néNavos,
the intrigues of Macedonia even as early as the powvia, otpwTÁP. ) Theon (Progymn. pp. 71,77)
reign of Philip, the people of Athens clung to him, mentions two declamations, 'Elévns én kuuloy and
and boldly refused to deliver him up. (Plut. Phot. Eủpubátov Yóyos, as the works of Lycurgus; but
Il. cc. ) He was further entrusted with the super- this Lycurgus, if the name be correct, must be a
intendence (ovlaku) of the city and the keeping different personage from the Attic orator. The
of public discipline ; and the severity with which oration against Leocrates, which was delivered in
he watched over the conduct of the citizens be- B. C. 330 (Aeschin. adv. Ctesiph. § 93), is printed
came almost proverbial. (Cic. ad Att. i. 13; in the various collections of the Attic orators by
Plut. Flamin. 12 ; Ainm. Marc. xxii. 9, xxx. 8. ) Aldus, Stephens, Gruter, Reiske, Dukas, Bekker,
He had a noble taste for every thing that was Baiter, and Sauppe. Among the separate editions,
beautiful and grand, as he showed by the buildings the following deserve to be mentioned that of J.
he erected or completed, both for the use of the Taylor (Cambridge, 1743, 8vo. , where it is printed
citizens and the ornament of the city. His inte together with Demosthenes' speech against Mei-
grity was so great, that even private persons de- dias), C. F. Heinrich (Bonn, 1821, 8vo. ), G. Pinzger
posited with him large sums of money, which they (Leipzig, 1824, 8vo. , with a learned introduction,
wished to be kept in safety. He was also the au- notes, and a German translation), A. G. Becker
thor of several legislative enactments, of which he (Magdeburg, 1821, 8vo. ) The best editions are
enforced the strictest observance. One of his laws those of Baiter and Sauppe (Turici, 1834, Ero. ),
forbade women to ride in chariots at the celebration and E. Maetzner (Berlin, 1836, 8vo. ). Compare
of the mysteries ; and when his own wife trans- G. A. Blume, Narratio de Lycurgo Oratore, Pots-
gressed this law, she was fined (Aelian, V. H. xiii. dam, 1834, 4to. ; A. F. Nissen, De Lycurgi Ora-
24); another ordained that bronze statues should toris Vita et Rebus Gestis Dissertatio, Kiel, 1833
be erected to Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, 8vo.
(L. S. ]
that copies of their tragedies should be made and LYCUS (Aúkos). 1. One of the sons of Aegyp-
preserved in the public archives. The Lives of the tus. (Apollod. ii. 1. & 5. )
Ten Orators ascribed to Plutarch (p. 842, &c. ) are 2. A son of Poseidon and Celaeno, who was
## p. 859 (#875) ############################################
LYCUS.
859
LYDIADES.
“ Dc
3
transferred by his father to the islands of the some of whom ascribe to him also works upon
blessed. (Apollod. iii. 10. § 1. )
Thebes and upon Nestor, which seem clearly to
3. A son of Hyricus, and husband of Dirce, have been of a mythological character. (Suid. s. v. ;
one of the mythical kings of Thebes. (Apollod. Steph. Byz. s. e. 'Apótovov, Exidpos ; Schol. ad
iii. 5. 05; Hygin. Fut. 8. )
Aristupłu
. Puc. 92+; Antig. Caryst. 46, 148, 154,
4. Å tyrant of Thebes, is likewise called by 170, 138; Tzetzes, Vit. Lycophr. ; Schol. ad Ly-
some a son of Poseidon, though Euripides (Herc. coph. 615, 1206; Schol. ud Ilesiol. Thcog. 3. 26 ;
Fur. 31) calls him a son of Lycus (No. 2), but Vossius, de list. Grucc.
office of ephors was common to several Doric states. the outward appearance of a nation's character,
They were originally officers of police, exercised a which it would be just as easy to alter by legal
civil jurisdiction in minor cases (Mill. Dor. iii. 7), enactments as a negro lawgiver might by the same
and were doubtlessly coeval with the first origin of means change the black colour of his countrymen
the Spartan state.
or their woolly hair. No power on earth could
Such considerations have induced modern critics induce the population of any town or village in
to examine more carefully the truth of every se- modern Europe to adopt the manner of life of the
parate statement, in order thus to arrive at a more ancient Spartans, granting that this were otherwise
correct notion of the influence of the individual possible; and we are equally positive in asserting
mind of a lawgiver on the spirit of the Spartan that the influence of Lycurgus on the chancur oi
constitution. Some critics have gone quite to the his countrymen, however great it may have been,
extreme, and, placing Lycurgus in the same category could never materially alter their peculiar mode of
with Theseus or Romulus, have entirely denied his life.
historical existence, alleging the authority of llcl- 3. The difficulty of influencing a political com-
Janicus, the most ancient writer on Sparta, who munity in almost every concern of public and
ascribes the Spartan institutions to l'rocles and private life by legal enactments is still further in-
Eurysthenes, without even mentioning the name of creased, if we consider the means at the disposal of
Lycurgus. (Strab. viii. p. 366. ) Other reasons a lawgiver in the time of Lycurgus. We know
alleged for this view are contained in the divine well the difficulty there is in putting in force a
honours paid to Lycurgus at Sparta, and the sig- single new law. What could Lycurgus have
nificant name of Eunomus, his father, nephew, or done without all the means of modern times, with-
brother, according to different accounts. We are out a nicely arranged administration, without even
not inclined to go all the length of this argument; the art of writing? This art, although existing at
we allow with the soberest modern historians the that time, was not used for fixing and preserving the
reality of Lycurgus, but in order to limit the ex- laws of Lycurgus. A particular rhetra forbade the
aggerations of the ancients, we adduce the follow- use of it. (Plut. Lyc. 13. ) The laws were trans-
ing considerations, which tend to show that by far mitted by word of mouth, and existed only in the
the greater part of the regulations which are com- memory and hearts of the citizens. Is it possible
monly ascribed to Lycurgus arose, independently that a great number of them could originate at
of him, by the spontaneous development of the once ? We know a few of the rhetrae ascribed to
commonwealth of Sparta.
Lycurgus. They lay down simply the broad fun-
1. It is a general and obvious remark, that damental features of the constitution. All the
people have a propensity to ascribe to prominent detail, it appears, was left to be regulated by the
individuals the sayings and doings of a great many prevailing sentiment among the Spartans.
less celebrated persons, and to make these indi- 4. What we have said with regard to the tend-
viduals the representatives of whole ages. This ency of all the institutions of Sparta, viz. that
propensity is more especially peculiar to an age of their object was to keep down a large subject
primitive simplicity, ignorance, and poetry. A population, and that they were necessary for this
prosaical, analysing, scientific research, dispels such purpose, is at the same time an argument for
delusions. We no longer imagine that Romulus doubting the influence of Lycurgus. Sparta as-
selected out of his motley crowd of fugitives some sumed from the time of the invasion of Peloponnesus
few whom he made patricians, nor that he devised the attitude of a conqueror. The Helots existed
the division of the people into tribes and curiae, before the time of Lycurgus, and consequently also
nor that Numa invented religious rites wholly the contrivances of the Spartan state to keep them
anomalous with the existing institutions; we know in subjection. The only thing that we can allow
now that the twelve tables of the decem virs con- is, that before the time of Lycurgus these insti-
tained little, if anything, that was new, and only tutions were in a state of development, and varying
reduced to a concise, fixed form the laws which at various times and occasions ; and that they
were formerly only partially and imperfectly written were finally settled in the reform which the whole
down.
If we lived in an age similar to the early state underwent through Lycurgus. We hear of
period of Grecian history, there can be no doubt disorders that prevailed at Sparta, of quarrels be-
that the Code Napoleon would soon be regarded in tween the community (people) and the king (Plut.
the same light in which the ancients regarded the Luc. 2), of the tyranny of king Charilaus (Arist.
legislation of Lycurgus. It would be considered Pol. v. 10. $3), which was put an end to by the
to have entirely emanated from one individual establishment of an aristocracy; at the same time
niind, without having any connection with previous we read of an equal division of land, so opposed to
institutions. Such being the case, we naturally the spirit of aristocracy. The easiest explanation
hesitate before we admit all that we hear about the of these traditions is that given by bishop Thirlwall
legislation of Lycurgus.
(Hist. of Gr. vol. i. p. 297), that the quarrels were
2. Our doubts will be reasonably confirmed by not among the Spartans themselves, but between
the observation, that the chief part of that reform them and the Laconian provincials, many of whom
which is ascribed to Lycurgus consists not in de were only recently subjected, or still independent.
finite regulations concerning the functions of the “ It seems not improbable that it was reserved for
various magistrates, the administration, criminal or Lycurgus finally to settle the relative position of
civil law, in short, the purely political organisation the several classes” (p. 300). This theory appears
of the state ; but in the peculiar direction he is the more correct, as it is evident from the com-
said to have given to the nature of private life, to parison of other Dorian states in Peloponnesus and
the manners and custonis, modes of thinking and Crete, that the peculiar character of the Dorian
## p. 857 (#873) ############################################
LYCURGUS.
857
LYCURGUS.
.
rare developed itself purely only in those countries in the Spartan constitution is in its origin inde-
where, as in Crete, the Dorians were prevented pendent of Lycurgus. llis merit consists partly in
from mixing with other races. In proportion as fixing the institutions he found, or in re-establish-
they amalgamated with the conquered the Dorian ing older regulations, which began to give way,
character disappeared, as, for instance, in Corinth, partly in restoring peace by his personal influence,
Argos, and Messenia. If therefore Sparta owed to and aiding in establishing or restoring that equal
Lycurgus the confirmation of her political ascend- division of property, and that subjection of the
ency over her subjects, and was thus enabled to conquered under the conquerors, which were es-
preserve and develope the original Dorian cha. sential for preserving the Doric character in its
racter, it is explained how Lycurgus could be purity.
regarded as the originator of things which in reality The ancient literature on Lycurgus is chiefly
he was only accessory in npholding.
contained in Plutarch's Lycurgus and Institutu Lu-
5. There is one consideration more to corroborate conica ; Xenophon, de Republica Luccducmoniur.
the view which we take of Lycurgus. We have excellent edition by Fr. Haase, 1833) ; Aristotle's
just mentioned, that the institutions of Sparta were Politics, ii. 6. Comprehensive collections of all the
originally not peculiar to her alone, but were materials are those of Nic. Cragins (ie Popull.
common to the whole Dorian race. Müller, in his Lacedaem. Genev. 1593), and T. Meursius (Mis-
Dorians, bas proved this point beyond all doubt. cellanca Laconici, Amst. 1661, and De Remo
He adduces Pindar (iii. 1. § 7), who mentions Laconico, Ultraj. 1687 ; also in Gronov. Thesuur).
(Pyth. i. 61) that Hieron the Syracusan wished to Of more recent date are Arnold's 2nd appen-
establish the new city of Aetna upon the genuine dix to his Thucydides, on the Spartun Consti-
Doric principles. He founded it “with Jucaren- tution ; a review of this by G. C. Lewis, in the
built freedom, according to the laws of the lyllean Philological Museum, vol. i. ; Manso's Sparta,
model,” i. e. after the example of the Spartan con- 1800; Müller's Dorians; Wachsmuth, Hellen.
stitution ; " for the descendants of Pamphilus and Allerth. $ 55; Hermann's Political Antiq. , where,
of the Heracleiduc, who dwell under thic brow of $ 23, the whole literature is given at full length;
Taygetus, wish always to retain the Doric institutions and Grote's History of Greece, vol. ij. c. 6. [W. 1. ]
of Aegimius. " This passage is as decisive as can LYCURGUS (ukollpros). ). An Athenian,
be to prove that the laws of Sparta were considered son of Aristoluïdas, was the leader of the liigh oli-
the true Doric institutions. (Comp. Hermann, garchical party, or the party of the plain, while
Pol. Ant. § 20, 1. ) Müller has enlarged upon those of the const and the highlands were headed
this subject by tracing remnants of the same Doric respectively by Megacles, the Alcmaconid, and
institutions in other Doric states, where, as we Peisistratus. The government having been usurped
have seen, they are found effaced more or less, by Peisistratus, in B. c. 560, Megacles and Lycur-
through the admission of strangers to the right of gus coalesced and drove him out in B. C. 554. But
citizenship. But in Crete these institutions were they then renewed their dissensions with one
preserved in their full purity to such an extent, another, and the consequence was the restoration
that the ancients unanimously made Lycurgus of Peisistratus, in B. c. 548, by marriage with the
borrow part of his laws from his Cretan kinsmen. daughter of Megacles. He treated the lady, how-
(Strab. X. p. 737, a. ; Hoeck, Kreta, iii. p. 11. ) ever, as only nominally his wife, and the Alcmaeo-
There existed in that island Helots (called apauia- nidae, indignant at the insult, again made common
ται or μνώται), subject provincials (υπήκοοι), εys- cause with Lycurgus, and expelled Peisistratus for
sitia, all nearly on the same principles as in Sparta. the second time, in B. c. 517. (Her. i. 59, &c. )
The Cretan education resembled that of Sparta in 2. A Lacedaemonian, who, though not of the
every feature, in short, the whole aspect of political, royal blood, was chosen king, in B. c. 220, together
and still more that of social life, was the same in with Agesipolis III. , after the death of Cleonienes;
both countries, whence Plato called their laws in the words of Polybius, " by giving a talent to
ådendous vóuous. (Plat. de Leg. ii. p. 683, a; comp. each of the Ephori, he became a descendant of
Arist. Pol. ii. 7. $ 1. ) But, far from discovering Heracles and king of Sparta. " It was not long
in this circumstance a proof that Sparta borrowed before he deposed his colleague and made himself
her laws froin Crete, we recognise in those of the sole sovereign, though under the control of the
latter country only another independent develop- Ephori. Placed on the throne by the party favour-
ment of the Doric institutions (Herm. Pol. Ant. $ able to Aetolin, he readily listened to the instiga-
20,10), without however denying that of which we tions of Machatas, the Aetolian envoy, to make
have no positive proof, that Lycurgus in his reform war on Philip V. of Macedon, and the Achaeans.
may have had in view the similar organisation of Having invaded Argolis and taken several towns,
the kindred tribe. (Müll. Dor. iii. 1. & 8. ) For he laid siege to the fortress named Athenaeum, in
this purpose it can be indifferent to us whether, as the district of Belbina, claimed by the Megalopo-
Müller thinks, the Dorians migrated into Crete litans as their territory, and took it in consequence
from the district of mount Olympus long before the of the dilatory conduct of Aratus, to whom it
Trojan war, so that Minos would be a Dorian, and looked for succour, B. C. 219. In the same year
his legislation founded on Doric principles (Müll. he barely escaped with his life from the conspiracy
in. 1. 9), or whether the Dorians only came into of Cheilon, and fled for refuge to Pellene on the
Crete sixty or eighty years after their conquest of western frontier of Laconia. In B. c. 218 he made
Peloponnesus under Pollis and Althaemenes (Diod. an incursion into Messenia, simultaneously with
iv. 60, v. 80), according to Hoeck (Kreta, ii. the invasion of Thessaly by Dorimachus, the Aeto-
lian, in the hope of drawing Philip away from the
To sum up our opinion in a few words, we would siege of Palus in Cephallenia ; but Philip, while
say that, although we do not deny the historical he himself invaded Aetolia, desired Eperatus, the
reality of Lycurgus, or his character as a legislator Achacan general, to go to the relief of the Messe-
of Sparta, yet we consider that every thing essential | niins. Lycurgus effected little in Messenia, and
p. 15).
## p. 858 (#874) ############################################
858
LYCURGUS.
LYCUS.
was equally unsuccessful in the same year, in an full of anecdotes and characteristic features o.
attempt which he made on the citadel of Tegen, Lycurgus, from which we must infer that he was
and also in his endeavour to intercept and defeat one of the noblest specimens of old Attic virtue,
Philip in the passes of the Menelaïon, on his return and a worthy contemporary of Demosthenes. He
from his invasion of Laconia. Not long after, he often appeared as a successful accuser in the Athe.
was falsely accused to the Ephori of revolutionary nian courts, but he himself was as often accused
designs, and was obliged to flee to Actolia for by others, though he always, and even in the last
safety. In the following year, however (B. c. 217), days of his life, succeeded in silencing his enemics.
the Ephori discovered the groundlessness of the Thus we know that he was attacked by Philinus
charge and recalled him ; and soon after he made (llarpocrat. s. v. Sewpixá), Deinarchus (Dionys.
an inrond into Messenin, in which he was to have Dinarch. 10), Aristogeiton, Menesaechmus, and
been joined by Pyrrhias, the Aetolian general, but others.
He died while holding the office of To-
the latter was repulsed in his attempe to pass the otaths of the theatre of Dionysus, in B. c. 3:23. A
frontier, and Lycurgus returned to Sparta without fragment of an inscription, containing the account
having effected and thing. lle died about B. C. which he rendered to the state of his administration
210, and Machanidas then made himself tyrant of the finances, is still extant. At his death he left
(Pol. iv. 2, 35-37, 60, 81, v. 5, 17, 21-233, 29), behind three sons, by his wife Callisto, who were
91, 92 ; Paus. iv. 29; Liv. xxxiv. 26. ) Lycurgus severely persccuted by Menesaechmus and Thra-
left a son named Pelops, who was put to death by sycles, but were defended by Hyperides and De-
Nabis, B. C. 205. (Diod. Eac de Virt. et l'it. p. mocles. (Plut. l. c. p. 812, &c. ) Among the
570 ; Vales, and Wess. ad loc. ) [E. E. ) honours which were conferred upon him, we may
LYCURGUS (Aukvūpyos), an Attic orator, was mention, that the archon Anaxicrates ordered a
born at Athens about B. C. 396, and was the son bronze statue to be erccted to him in the Cerita
of Lycophron, who belonged to the noble family of meicus, and that he and his eldest son should be
the Eteobutadae. (Plut. Vit. X. Orat. p. 841; entertained in the prytaneium at the public ex-
Suidas, s. v. Avkoupyos ; Phot. Bibl. Cod. 268, pense.
p. 496, &c. ) In liis early life he devoted himself The ancients mention fifteen orations of Ly-
to the study of philosophy in the school of Plato, curgus as extant in their days (Plut. l. c. p. 813 ;
but afterwards became one of the disciples of Iso- | Phot. l. c. p. 496, b), but we know the titles of at
crates, and entered upon public life at a compara- least twenty. (Westermann, Gesch. d. Griech.
tively early age. He was appointed three successive Beredt. , Beilage vi. p. 296. ) With the exception,
times to the office of Taulas tſis kolvñs apogówou, however, of one entire oration against Leocrates,
i. e. manager of the public revenue, and held his and some fragments of others, all the rest are lost,
office each time for five years, beginning with B. C. so that our knowledge of his skill and style as an
337. The conscientiousness with which he dis- orator is very incomplete. Dionysius and other
charged the duties of this office enabled him to ancient critics draw particular attention to the
raise the public revenue to the sum of 1200 talents. ethical tendency of his orations, but they censure
This, as well as the unwearied activity with which the harshness of his metaphors, the inaccuracy in
he laboured both for increasing the security and the arrangement of his subject, and his frequent
splendour of the city of Athens, gained for him the digressions. His style is noble and grand, but
universal confidence of the people to such a degree, neither elegant nor pleasing. (Dionys. Vet. Script.
that when Alexander the Great demanded, among cens. v. 3; Hermogen. De Form. Orat. ii. p. 500 ;
the other opponents of the Macedonian interest, Dion Chrysost. Or. xviii. p. 256, ed. Mor. ) His
the surrender of Lycurgus also, who had, in con- works seem to have been commented upon by Di-
junction with Demosthenes, exerted himself against dymus of Alexandria. (Harpocrat. s. cr, néNavos,
the intrigues of Macedonia even as early as the powvia, otpwTÁP. ) Theon (Progymn. pp. 71,77)
reign of Philip, the people of Athens clung to him, mentions two declamations, 'Elévns én kuuloy and
and boldly refused to deliver him up. (Plut. Phot. Eủpubátov Yóyos, as the works of Lycurgus; but
Il. cc. ) He was further entrusted with the super- this Lycurgus, if the name be correct, must be a
intendence (ovlaku) of the city and the keeping different personage from the Attic orator. The
of public discipline ; and the severity with which oration against Leocrates, which was delivered in
he watched over the conduct of the citizens be- B. C. 330 (Aeschin. adv. Ctesiph. § 93), is printed
came almost proverbial. (Cic. ad Att. i. 13; in the various collections of the Attic orators by
Plut. Flamin. 12 ; Ainm. Marc. xxii. 9, xxx. 8. ) Aldus, Stephens, Gruter, Reiske, Dukas, Bekker,
He had a noble taste for every thing that was Baiter, and Sauppe. Among the separate editions,
beautiful and grand, as he showed by the buildings the following deserve to be mentioned that of J.
he erected or completed, both for the use of the Taylor (Cambridge, 1743, 8vo. , where it is printed
citizens and the ornament of the city. His inte together with Demosthenes' speech against Mei-
grity was so great, that even private persons de- dias), C. F. Heinrich (Bonn, 1821, 8vo. ), G. Pinzger
posited with him large sums of money, which they (Leipzig, 1824, 8vo. , with a learned introduction,
wished to be kept in safety. He was also the au- notes, and a German translation), A. G. Becker
thor of several legislative enactments, of which he (Magdeburg, 1821, 8vo. ) The best editions are
enforced the strictest observance. One of his laws those of Baiter and Sauppe (Turici, 1834, Ero. ),
forbade women to ride in chariots at the celebration and E. Maetzner (Berlin, 1836, 8vo. ). Compare
of the mysteries ; and when his own wife trans- G. A. Blume, Narratio de Lycurgo Oratore, Pots-
gressed this law, she was fined (Aelian, V. H. xiii. dam, 1834, 4to. ; A. F. Nissen, De Lycurgi Ora-
24); another ordained that bronze statues should toris Vita et Rebus Gestis Dissertatio, Kiel, 1833
be erected to Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, 8vo.
(L. S. ]
that copies of their tragedies should be made and LYCUS (Aúkos). 1. One of the sons of Aegyp-
preserved in the public archives. The Lives of the tus. (Apollod. ii. 1. & 5. )
Ten Orators ascribed to Plutarch (p. 842, &c. ) are 2. A son of Poseidon and Celaeno, who was
## p. 859 (#875) ############################################
LYCUS.
859
LYDIADES.
“ Dc
3
transferred by his father to the islands of the some of whom ascribe to him also works upon
blessed. (Apollod. iii. 10. § 1. )
Thebes and upon Nestor, which seem clearly to
3. A son of Hyricus, and husband of Dirce, have been of a mythological character. (Suid. s. v. ;
one of the mythical kings of Thebes. (Apollod. Steph. Byz. s. e. 'Apótovov, Exidpos ; Schol. ad
iii. 5. 05; Hygin. Fut. 8. )
Aristupłu
. Puc. 92+; Antig. Caryst. 46, 148, 154,
4. Å tyrant of Thebes, is likewise called by 170, 138; Tzetzes, Vit. Lycophr. ; Schol. ad Ly-
some a son of Poseidon, though Euripides (Herc. coph. 615, 1206; Schol. ud Ilesiol. Thcog. 3. 26 ;
Fur. 31) calls him a son of Lycus (No. 2), but Vossius, de list. Grucc.
