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:

  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.