This book examines the biographical and political tradition of Lycurgus of Sparta in ancient Greek and Latin literature. It provides a detailed analysis of sources from the fifth century BCE to late antiquity, offering a deep exploration of the development of the ancient tradition on the Spartan lawgiver.
The author presents the subject in chronological order, creating a well-organized collection of information that is easy to read and convenient to consult. The analysis begins with the first mentions of Lycurgus in the fifth century by Herodotus and Simonides, then proceeds to cover the authors of the fourth century, including Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, and Ephorus, as well as the Hellenistic period. Starting from the first century BCE, the study also includes Latin authors, such as Cicero and Titus Livius, in the discussion. A significant chapter is dedicated to Plutarch, the most crucial source for Lycurgus' tradition. Lastly, the book includes the analysis of selected passages from imperial Greek authors and significant late antique sources on the lawgiver to study the reception of this figure beyond Plutarch.
This study is aimed at scholars working on or interested in Spartan history and tradition.