King Lycuraus: Lawgiver Of Sparta

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Lycuraus was considered to be a “lawgiver of Sparta” (p. 83, 1). After the death of his father and brother he came to power (p. 85, 1). When the Queen, his sister-in-law, became pregnant he promised to be a guardian of the child, and if it was a boy he would step down from power (p. 85, 1). The Queen however said she would “miscarry” if “he would marry her when he came” to power, which he agreed to (p.85-86, 3-1). Nevertheless a son was born to the Queen, and Lycuraus reign had come to an end at “only eight months” (p. 86). Lycuraus “was regent to the king, and had the royal power in his hands” (p.86, 1). As “his growing influence” caused envy to develop so, Lycuraus decided to go into “exile” voluntarily (p.86, 1). As she traveled he picked

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