Lycurgus in the Judgement of a German Eighteenth-Century Humanist

Extract

If we cast merely a cursory glance at Lycurgus’ laws we are really agreeably surprised. Of all similar institutions of Antiquity they are undoubtedly the most perfect, excepting the laws of Moses which they resemble in many parts, above all in the principles underlying them. They are really complete within themselves; everything is dovetailed, each part supported by the whole and the whole by each single part. Lycurgus could not have chosen a better way to reach the goal he had before his eyes: that of a State which, isolated from all others, should be self-sufficient and maintain itself through internal circulation and its own vital strength. No lawgiver has ever given a State such unity, such national interest, such public spirit as Lycurgus gave to his State. Now, how did Lycurgus accomplish this?

Because he knew how to direct his fellow-citizens’ activities towards the State and closed all other outlets that might have drawn them away from it.

All that captivates the human mind and arouses human passions, all save political interests, had been removed by his legislation. Wealth and luxury, science and the arts had no access to the Spartans’ minds. As all were equally poor the comparison of fortune which makes most men covetous was abolished. The longing for possessions ceased with the opportunity of displaying or using them. Profound ignorance of art and science dulled all minds in Sparta in an equal manner. By this means he safeguarded the State from any interference that an enlightened brain might have caused in the Constitution.