LYCURGUS AND THE SPARTAN LAWS. 55

money, they had to depend on themselves for every-
thing they needed. The industries of Laconia were
kept strictly at home.

To these provisions Lycurgus added another of
remarkable character. No one was allowed to take
his meals at home. Public tables were provided, at
which all must eat, every citizen being forced to be-
long to some special public mess. Each had to sup-
ply his quota of food, such as barley, wine, cheese,
and figs from his land, game obtained by hunting, or
the meat of the animals killed for sacrifices. At
these tables all shared alike. The kings and the
humblest citizens were on an equality. No distinc-
tion was permitted except to those who had rendered
some signal service to the state.

This public mess was not accepted without pro-
test. Those who were used to luxurious living were
not ready to be brought down to such simple fare,
and a number of these attacked Lycurgus in the
market-place, and would have stoned him to death
had he not run briskly for his life. As it was, one
of his pursuers knocked out his eye. But, such was
his content at his success, that he dedicated his last
eye to the gods, building a temple to the goddess
Athene of the Eye. At these public tables black
broth was the most valued dish, the elder men eat-
ing it in preference, and leaving the meat to their
younger messmates.

The houses of the Spartans were as plain as they
could well be made, and as simple in furniture as
possible, while no lights were permitted at bedtime,
it being designed that every one should become ac-