Lycurgus Reforms
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Lycurgus Reforms
Lycurgus introduced a significant set of reforms that utterly changed Spartan society. This transformation was through the introduction of a number of military, religious, social and economic reforms during the 8th or 7th century BC. Lycurgus’ significance is reflected in the great change in Spartan society, being labeled as revolutionary by many ancient and modern sources.
The Pre-Lycurgan period was characterized by the fertility of the area which the Dorians begun to control. 250 years later, between 730/10-650BC the Spartan elite conquered and enslaved the occupants of this area. This is described by Tyrtaeus. Notably, this conquest forced the Spartans to reorganize themselves in accordance with the helot threat (as they constituted for 80% of the population). As a result of this serious and unique issue, reforms that were equally extreme needed to be endorsed. Buckley nominates two key reasons why the Lycurgan reforms were formulated. Firstly, there was a need for the resolution of international problems, and secondly, harmony was required between politics to unify against the external threat. This highlights the importance of a fulltime military force in the development of these reforms.
Whether Lycurgus was an actual man, or a group who developed the reforms is subject to scholarly debate.
Nevertheless, the Lycurgus reforms were introduced in the form of the Great Rhetra. There is dispute over when the Great Rhetra was introduced. Some, like Tyrtaeus note it was introduced after either the Messenian Wars, or Peloponnesian battle against the Argives. Derived from the Oracle of Delphi, the constitutions of Sparta were reshaped.
The overall purpose of the Lycurgan reforms was for the Spartan ethos to be based on militarism and the concept of Eunomia (balance in governance). In responded to previous problems, the desire for good governance and a stable military basis were potent. Consequently, there was a focus on political...
Lycurgus introduced a significant set of reforms that utterly changed Spartan society. This transformation was through the introduction of a number of military, religious, social and economic reforms during the 8th or 7th century BC. Lycurgus’ significance is reflected in the great change in Spartan society, being labeled as revolutionary by many ancient and modern sources.
The Pre-Lycurgan period was characterized by the fertility of the area which the Dorians begun to control. 250 years later, between 730/10-650BC the Spartan elite conquered and enslaved the occupants of this area. This is described by Tyrtaeus. Notably, this conquest forced the Spartans to reorganize themselves in accordance with the helot threat (as they constituted for 80% of the population). As a result of this serious and unique issue, reforms that were equally extreme needed to be endorsed. Buckley nominates two key reasons why the Lycurgan reforms were formulated. Firstly, there was a need for the resolution of international problems, and secondly, harmony was required between politics to unify against the external threat. This highlights the importance of a fulltime military force in the development of these reforms.
Whether Lycurgus was an actual man, or a group who developed the reforms is subject to scholarly debate.
Nevertheless, the Lycurgus reforms were introduced in the form of the Great Rhetra. There is dispute over when the Great Rhetra was introduced. Some, like Tyrtaeus note it was introduced after either the Messenian Wars, or Peloponnesian battle against the Argives. Derived from the Oracle of Delphi, the constitutions of Sparta were reshaped.
The overall purpose of the Lycurgan reforms was for the Spartan ethos to be based on militarism and the concept of Eunomia (balance in governance). In responded to previous problems, the desire for good governance and a stable military basis were potent. Consequently, there was a focus on political...