Lycurgus assures his nephew, as his rightful successor, published 1864 - stock illustration

Lycurgus was a Spartan king's son, according to Plutarch. After his father and his brother had been murdered because of the prevailing lawlessness, Lycurgus reigned as guardian of his nephew. The offer his sister, to kill the child in order to become king himself, he refused. Through his selflessness Lycurgus made ​​sure that his nephew was given its rightful kingship and has thereby gained for the Spartans a great reputation. Lycurg or Lykurgos (between the 11th and 8th centuries BC), probably not a historical but a mythical person. He is regarded by ancient sources as legislator of Sparta. Woodcut engraving, published in 1864.