Lycurgus of Sparta

(7th century BC)Spartan lawgiver, who was influenced by either the oracle of Delphi or the Cretan laws. He was to transform Sparta into a military state and retired into exile by his own will after making the Spartans swear they would not change his laws. Lycurgus then to Crete and committed suicide.

His laws were oral, and they included instructions on house building, society as well as prohibitions of all luxury. Until today, we do not know whether Lycurgus really existed or not.