The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-11-07

IN A previous paper we traced the
causes which led to the formation
of the two ancient republics of
Athens and Rome. In this paper
we shall deal with the republic of
Sparta during the period it was under
the sway of the constitution drafted
by Lycurgus. According to many
writer's, Lycurgus is considered as be-
to neurological origin; others,
not quite so skeptical, accept the story
pertaining to his existence as being
founded upon authenticated facts. Be
chat as it may, Lycurgus holds COM
manding position as a great lawgiver;
in fact, he is considered to be greater
man than Confuciu5 or Solon ever as
.pired to be, notwithstanding the fact
that his memory is not cherished so
profoundly as is that of Confucius.
According to the accepted beliefs
Lycurgus fiourished about the ninth
century b. c. He early left Sparta and
travelled thruout the principal countries
then existing; namely, Crete, India,
Asia Minor, Egypt, Libya, and Iberia.
1t is said that he visited these nations
for the purpose of studying their laws
When he returned to Sparta he was
looked upon as being one of the most
learned men Of his time, and it was
quite natural for him to be selected to
revise Sparta's laws. During his So
.journ abroad the people of Sparta be-
came discontented with their constitu-
tion, and they united in choosing him
to be their lawgiver. He consented
and put in force the most unique set
of laws that the world at that time
ever heard OF. Before consenting, how
ever, he made the people take solemn
oath that they would not change their
DAVIS until he returned, as Lycurgus
departed from Sparta immediately
after putting his constitution in force.
1t is claimed that by this means he be-
ifeved he could make the Spartan con-
stitution perpetual. The Spartans
worshipped their lawgiver as a God
erected hundreds of temples in his
honor. aud showed many other ex.
amples toward exaltlEg him to the
highest place within their power.
In the many laws promulgated by
this remarkable man we find many that
are absurd; some that are just and
equitable; but they all eloquentiy testify
GO the radical democratic tendency OF
mems minds at that early stage of the
worlds history. L believe was Carlyle
who said that if one wished to find Ou
the hopes and aspirations of the people
he need only consult his own mind
Evidently Lycurgus adopted some
such method in drafting the c0nstitu
tion of Sparta. Still, he may have con
suited the elder statesmen and thu
ascertained the wishes of the people II
respect to the kind Of laws deemed
necessary for the safety of the state
His first act was to create senat
composed of thirty members, thus pre-
venting disorder and strife betweel
the king and his subjects. Wheneve
the king had the goodwill of the peopl
he often became arrogant and tyrar
uical; when the people were in tn
ascendant, the kings power declined
The formation of the senate ended thi
petty warfare; it regulated all affairs Q
state, and the king only had mino
voice in the government Of Sparta.
Lycurgus' next move was to divid
the land into equal shares. This was
bold move, but he succeeded in carryin
out his wishes. His object was to pr
vent poverty, crime, and idleness, an
to give each man an honest oppo
tunity to earn sufiiciency and n
more. The land allotted to each We
just sufficient to support them durin
the year. AS avarice was as rife
The writer is Indebted to 'sPlutarch's Live'
for the facts contained in this article. We ha'
not quoted verbatim, but confined ourself
the facts. and frequently commenting thereo
The laws Of Lycurgus are rather odd, thereto
ghey might prove interesting as compsrist
with conditions Of today, especially whom We I
alixe that his laws were In force nine censurf
a,seora c1xrSat