[5] Probably the {agathoergoi}, technically so called. See Herod. i.
67; Schneider, ap. Dindorf.

[6] Lit. "save only if some public duty intervened." See "Cyrop." I.
ii.



V

The above is a fairly exhaustive statement of the institutions
traceable to the legislation of Lycurgus in connection with the
successive stages[1] of a citizen's life. It remains that I should
endeavour to describe the style of living which he established for the
whole body, irrespective of age. It will be understood that, when
Lycurgus first came to deal with the question, the Spartans like the
rest of the Hellenes, used to mess privately at home. Tracing more
than half the current misdemeanours to this custom,[2] he was
determined to drag his people out of holes and corners into the broad
daylight, and so he invented the public mess-rooms. Whereby he
expected at any rate to minimise the transgression of orders.

[1] Lit. "with each age."; see Plut. "Lycurg." 25; Hesychius, {s. u.
irinies}; "Hell." VI. iv. 17; V. iv. 13.

[2] Reading after Cobet, {en touto}.

As to food,[3] his ordinance allowed them so much as, while not
inducing repletion, should guard them from actual want. And, in fact,