Aristotle: Constitution of Sparta

About the Author

Lycurgus is credited with the creation of the constitution of Sparta. This was the first and foremost law that he put forth, but there is no surviving copy of this document. Lycurgus did not want the Spartans to have any written history, literature, or laws. The implication is that all Sparta's laws and customs were passed down orally from generation to generation. Like the constitution itself, not much is known about Lycurgus. It is not even certain that he was a real historical figure, though many leading historians of the ancient world considered him to be responsible for creating the military and community reforms that transformed Sparta into the society it is famed for being. Most ancient historians date the figure of Lycurgus to the first half of the seventh century bce and the constitution to about 650 bce. Lycurgus is said to have received divine inspiration for the constitution at the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, one of the most important oracles in ancient Greece. Despite the debate on whether he was a true historical figure, Lycurgus has a significant reputation as one of the earliest lawgivers of democracy. He is depicted on a marble bas-relief in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as on the frieze on the south wall of the Supreme Court building.

Since there is no record of the constitution left by Lycurgus, other ancient sources provide information about the document—most often the Politics of Aristotle. Aristotle was born in 384 bce in Stagira, Macedonia, the son of the physician to the royal court. He was bright, as evidenced by the fact that he went to study at Plato's Academy early in life. Plato was the world's greatest philosopher, and Aristotle was clearly influenced very strongly by the ideas of his teacher. Many of Aristotle's own works would reflect this influence as he often modified the arguments of Plato in them. Plato died in 348 or 347 bce, and Aristotle left the Academy shortly after and went to Asia Minor, where he became the tutor to Hermias, the king of Assos. It is also around this time that he is thought to have become the tutor of the young Alexander of Macedon, later Alexander the Great.

It is believed that Aristotle taught Alexander not only the basics of ethics and politics but also philosophy. In later years when Aristotle published these works, which were only given to the brightest of students, Alexander wrote Aristotle a letter lamenting the fact that Aristotle had taken away one of his biggest advantages against lesser men by making these private thoughts known to the public. When Alexander became king, Aristotle left his court and moved back to Athens, where he founded his own school, the Lyceum. Aristotle taught in this school until 323 bce, the year before he died. It was during his time teaching at the Lyceum that Aristotle wrote Politics. Aristotle had experience with many different types and forms of government, and he used this experience in writing about the advantages and disadvantages of all forms of government.