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Lycurgus

Lycurgus is considered the semi-mythical founder of classical Sparta and responsible for all of the city-state’s laws as well as its military and political institutions. He became better known to generations of Spartans as the lawgiver. He transformed Sparta into one of the most efficient military powers of Ancient Greece.

Initially, the Spartan city-state held sovereignty over the southern half of the Peloponnese, but with Lycurgus’s policies in place, it would expand its borders, acquiring dominance over the remainder of the peninsula. However, despite the credit given to Lycurgus for changing the face of Sparta and creating a “militaristic culture,” many historians remain skeptical of the life and accomplishments of this supposed lawgiver.

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