Ideal Commonwealths | Page 4

an extensive tract of land from the
Arcadians. Of this Sous it is related, that, being besieged by the
Clitorians in a difficult post where there was no water, he agreed to
give up all his conquests, provided that himself and all his army should
drink of the neighbouring spring. When these conditions were sworn to,
he assembled his forces, and offered his kingdom to the man that would
forbear drinking; not one of them, however, would deny himself, but
they all drank. Then Sous went down to the spring himself, and having
only sprinkled his face in sight of the enemy, he marched off, and still
held the country, because all had not drank. Yet, though he was highly
honoured for this, the family had not their name from him, but from his
son, were called Eurytionidæ; and this, because Eurytion seems to be
the first who relaxed the strictness of kingly government, inclining to
the interest of the people, and ingratiating himself with them. Upon this
relaxation their encroachments increased, and the succeeding kings,
either becoming odious, treating them with greater rigour, or else
giving way through weakness or in hopes of favour, for a long time
anarchy and confusion prevailed in Sparta; by which one of its kings,
the father of Lycurgus, lost his life. For while he was endeavouring to
part some persons who were concerned in a fray, he received a wound
by a kitchen knife, of which he died, leaving the kingdom to his eldest
son Polydectes.
But he too dying soon after, the general voice gave it for Lycurgus to
ascend the throne; and he actually did so, till it appeared that his
brother's widow was pregnant. As soon as he perceived this, he
declared that the kingdom belonged to her issue, provided it were male,
and he kept the administration in his hands only as his guardian. This
he did with the title of Prodicos, which the Lacedæmonians give to the
guardians of infant kings. Soon after, the queen made him a private
overture, that she would destroy her child, upon condition that he
would marry her when king of Sparta. Though he detested her
wickedness, he said nothing against the proposal, but pretending to
approve it, charged her not to take any drugs to procure an abortion,

lest she should endanger her own health or life; for he would take care
that the child, as soon as born, should be destroyed. Thus he artfully
drew on the woman to her full time, and, when he heard she was in
labour, he sent persons to attend and watch her delivery, with orders, if
it were a girl, to give it to the women, but if a boy, to bring it to him, in
whatever business he might be engaged. It happened that he was at
supper with the magistrates when she was delivered of a boy, and his
servants, who were present, carried the child to him. When he received
it, he is reported to have said to the company, "Spartans, see here your
new-born king." He then laid him down upon the chair of state, and
named him Charilaus, because of the joy and admiration of his
magnanimity and justice testified by all present. Thus the reign of
Lycurgus lasted only eight months. But the citizens had a great
veneration for him on other accounts, and there were more that paid
him their attentions, and were ready to execute his commands, out of
regard to his virtues, than those that obeyed him as a guardian to the
king, and director of the administration. There were not, however,
wanting those that envied him, and opposed his advancement, as too
high for so young a man; particularly the relations and friends of the
queen-mother, who seemed to have been treated with contempt. Her
brother Leonidas, one day boldly attacked him with virulent language,
and scrupled not to tell him that he was well assured he would soon be
king; thus preparing suspicions, and matter of accusation against
Lycurgus, in case any accident should befall the king. Insinuations of
the same kind were likewise spread by the queen-mother. Moved with
this ill-treatment, and fearing some dark design, he determined to get
clear of all suspicion, by travelling into other countries, till his nephew
should be grown up, and have a son to succeed him in the kingdom.
He set sail, therefore, and landed in Crete. There having observed the
forms of government, and conversed with the most illustrious
personages, he was struck with admiration of some of their laws, and
resolved at his return to make use of them in Sparta. Some others he
rejected. Among the friends he gained in Crete was Thales, with whom
he had interest enough to persuade him to go