18 Lycurgus of Sparta in the Imperial Age: Plutarch, Pausanias, and Lucian
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Abstract
This paper investigates Lycurgus’ representation in imperial literature using a comparative approach, focusing primarily on Plutarch, Pausanias, and Lucian.
Pausanias gives a general overview of Lycurgus in his historical introduction to Laconia, following the Herodotean model closely. A general comparison between Plutarch and Pausanias sheds light on some interesting differences between the two accounts. For instance, Pausanias places Lycurgus in the Agiad royal house, following Herodotus, whereas Plutarch prefers the more well-known Euripontid genealogy. Moreover, according to Pausanias, Lycurgus substituted the human sacrifice with the whipping of ephebes, saving some young Spartans from certain death. Though Plutarch greatly stresses Lycurgus’ generosity, he expresses no knowledge of the substitution concerning this deadly ritual.
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