Plutarch admits that nothing can be said with certainty about Lycurgus, as many of the details of his life and achievements are disputed. Still, Plutarch sets out to produce a reasonable sketch of Lycurgus based on the available evidence.

He traces Lycurgus’s lineage to Hercules, whose descendants were said to have conquered Sparta. During a tumultuous period in Sparta’s history, Lycurgus becomes regent for his unborn nephew. Fearing the corruption of the Spartan court, Lycurgus eventually leaves Sparta and travels abroad. He travels to Crete, Asia, and perhaps even Egypt, meeting important contemporary figures, such as the philosopher Thales, and learning about different forms of government.

With the support of the people, Lycurgus eventually returns to Sparta. He intimidates the opposition, gets the king on his side, and sets out to reform the Spartan government. He writes a new constitution for Sparta that becomes known as “the Rhetra.” The Rhetra establishes a senate, public legislative assemblies, and redistributes land and wealth. Some of Lycurgus’s reforms, such as his introduction of unwieldy iron currency, are designed to reduce luxury and greed in Sparta. Some of these measures meet with resistance from the upper classes, and one riot results in Lycurgus losing an eye.