Until then we will suspend judgment, and content ourselves with placing before the clergy the teachings of history.
When Lycurgus undertook to make laws for Sparta, in what condition did he find this republic?
On this point all historians agree.

The people and the nobles were at war.

The city was in a confused state, and divided by two parties,--the party of the poor, and the party of the rich.

Hardly escaped from the barbarism of the heroic ages, society was rapidly declining.

The proletariat made war upon property, which, in its turn, oppressed the proletariat.