The legendary lawgiver of Sparta, architect of a martial society
The legendary lawgiver of Sparta, who designed the severe system that made Sparta famous through the ages. He divided the land equally, banned gold and silver coinage, had all citizens undergo brutal military training from childhood, and live and dine in common — turning the whole city-state into a war machine. Opposite to open, prosperous Athens, Sparta pursued discipline, equality, and force. It is said that after lawgiving he had the citizens swear to change not a word until his return, then left and starved himself to death, never to come back, so that Sparta would obey his laws forever — making the system eternal with his own death.
After lawgiving, Lycurgus made all Spartans swear to change no law until he returned from the oracle. Then he left Sparta and starved himself to death, never to return — so the Spartans could never break the oath and alter his laws. A lawgiver nailed a system into eternity with his own death.
Whether Lycurgus was a real person, and whether his system was the work of one man, is disputed ancient and modern; this site states its legendary nature.
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.