Histories

1. You have come to my rich temple, Lycurgus,
2. A man dear to Zeus and to all who have Olympian homes.
3. I am in doubt whether to pronounce you man or god,
4. But I think rather you are a god, Lycurgus.

Some say that the Pythia also declared to him the constitution that now exists at Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, but the Lacedaemonians themselves say that Lycurgus brought it from Crete [25,35.166] (region), Greece, Europe Crete when he was guardian of his nephew Leobetes, the Spartan king.

Once he became guardian, he changed all the laws and took care that no one transgressed the new ones. Lycurgus afterwards established their affairs of war: the sworn divisions, the bands of thirty, the common meals; also the ephors and the council of elders.

Thus they changed their bad laws to good ones, and when Lycurgus died they built him a temple and now worship him greatly. Since they had good land and many men, they immediately flourished and prospered. They were not content to live in peace, but, confident that they were stronger than the Arcadians, asked the oracle at Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi about gaining all the Arcadian land.

She replied in hexameter:

1. You ask me for Arcadia [22.25,37.583] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Arcadia? You ask too much; I grant it not.
2. There are many men in Arcadia [22.25,37.583] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Arcadia, eaters of acorns,
3. Who will hinder you. But I grudge you not.
4. I will give you Tegea [22.4,37.5] (Perseus) Tegea to beat with your feet in dancing,
5. And its fair plain to measure with a rope.

When the Lacedaemonians heard the oracle reported, they left the other Arcadians alone and marched on Tegea [22.4,37.5] (Perseus) Tegea carrying chains, relying on the deceptive oracle. They were confident they would enslave the Tegeans, but they were defeated in battle.