Histories
Herodotus
Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).
Before this they had been the worst-governed of nearly all the Hellenes and had had no dealings with strangers, but they changed to good government in this way: Lycurgus, a man of reputation among the Spartans, went to the oracle at Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi. As soon as he entered the hall, the priestess said in hexameter:
- You have come to my rich temple, Lycurgus,
- A man dear to Zeus and to all who have Olympian homes.
- I am in doubt whether to pronounce you man or god,
- But I think rather you are a god, Lycurgus.