Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. I. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1914.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work offers a comparative evaluation of two legendary ancient rulers, Lycurgus of Sparta and Numa Pompilius of Rome. Following the narratives of their lives, the text highlights the differences in their governance styles, specifically examining their approaches to royal succession, citizenship, and slavery. It analyzes their contrasting systems of military, economy, and social order, comparing Lycurgus's radical pursuit of equality and strict military service with Numa's tolerance of economic inequality and commerce. Furthermore, the comparison extends to their marriage laws, the social role of women, and the absence of a unified educational system under Numa, which ultimately led to the swift collapse of Rome's peaceful state after his death. Finally, while acknowledging Numa's greatness in establishing peace through persuasion and wisdom, the text comprehensively assesses the merits and limitations of both lawgivers' institutions.