Dinarchus, Hyperides, and Lycurgus

Introduction to Lycurgus

INTRODUCTION TO LYCURGUS Lycurgus, the son of Lycophron, was one of the most influential Athenian politicians in the period between the Athenian defeat at Chaeronea in 338 and the death of Alexander the Great in 323.1 Despite his importance, relatively little is known about his life. He was born sometime in the 390s into the distinguished genos of the Eteobutadai ,2 and his family held the priesthood of Poseidon and traced its origins back to Erechtheus, one of the legendary kings of Athens.3 His ancestors may have included the Lycurgus who controlled the plain of Attica in the mid-sixth century and opposed Peisistratus4 and the general Lycurgus who led a disastrous expedition against the Thracian city of Eion in 476.5 His grandfather Lycurgus was active enough in politics in the late fifth century to draw the attention of Aristophanes (Birds 1296) and to win the honor of burial in the Ceramicus.6 His 1 The main ancient source for the life of Lycurgus is the biography found in Pseudo-Plut., Lives of the Ten Orators (Moralia) 841a–844a, with the decree at 851e–852e. Our knowledge of Athens in the time of Lycurgus has benefited from the discovery of several inscriptions, many of which are collected in the valuable work of C. Schwenk, Athens in the Age of Alexander the Great: The Dated Laws and Decrees of the Lykourgan Era 338–322 B.C. (Chicago, 1985) (cited below as Schwenk). 2 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 841b. The Eteobutadai held the priesthood of Athena Polias (Aes. 2.147). 3 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 843e. 4 Herod. 1.59.3, Plut., Solon 29, Ath. Pol. 13.4. 5 Scholion on Aes. 2.31. 6 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 843e, 852a. His relative Lycomedes was also granted this honor. prominence under the democracy may have been responsible for his execution by the Thirty.7 Nothing is known about Lycurgus’ political career until he convicted the general Lysicles for losing the battle of Chaeronea (Diodorus Siculus 16.18).8 His hostility to Macedon drew the suspicion of Alexander the Great. After destroying the city of Thebes in 335, Alexander demanded that the Athenians surrender Lycurgus, Demosthenes , and several other opponents of Macedon. Phocion argued that these men should sacrifice themselves for their country, but Demades persuaded Alexander to allow the Athenians to punish them in their own courts if they had done anything wrong.9 Alexander’s attempt to punish Lycurgus only enhanced his reputation in Athens; in the followingyears ,LycurgusbecamethemostpowerfulpoliticianinAthens. Lycurgus exerted his influence through his control of Athenian finances during a period of twelve years, probably from 336 to 324.10 According to our sources, he increased public revenues to 1,200 talents a year and brought in either 14,000 talents or about 18,000 talents during his administration.11 The increase may have been in part due to Lycurgus’ measures to promote trade. In one of his decrees, he persuaded the Assembly to grant privileges to merchants from the city of Citium on Cyprus and in another to send the Athenian fleet to suppress piracy and protect trade routes in the Adriatic.12 He was also active in the courts; his successful prosecution of Diphilus brought the treasury 160 talents.13 156 lycurgus 7 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 841b. 8 Lycurgus may have accompanied Demosthenes on an embassyto thePeloponnesein343 ,butthisisnotcertain.SeeDem.9.72withPseudo-Plut.,Moralia 841e. 9 Arrian, Anabasis 1.10; Plut., Dem. 23.4, Phocion 17.2. 10 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 841b; 852b; Diodorus Siculus 16.88.1, with the discussion of Faraguna 1992: 197–205. 11 For the total of 1,200 talents a year: Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 842f. Total revenues of 14,000 or 18,650: Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 841b. For the figure of 18,900 talents, see Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 852b. 12 Privileges to merchants of Citium: IG II2 337. Mission against pirates: IG II2 1623, lines 276–285. Lycurgus later proposed a decree of honors for the general Diotimus, who led this mission (Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 844a with Schwenk no. 25). 13 Pseudo-Plut., Moralia 843d. Lycurgus’ adept financial administration enabled the Athenians to embark on their most ambitious building program since Pericles. Under his direction, work was completed on the Panathenaic stadium, the theater of Dionysus was rebuilt and extended, and a gymnasium was added to Lyceum and a palaestra.14 Lycurgus also kept the Athenian armed forces...