About the lecture
Lycurgus of Sparta occupies a singular place in antiquity: he is a lawgiver whose laws shaped a legendary community, yet a figure whose historical existence remains perpetually elusive. Gatto investigates how Lycurgus became an enduring symbol in the literary imagination of the ancient world, and aims to move beyond the traditional quest for the “historical Lycurgus” to trace the evolution of his biographical and political tradition.
Martina Gatto will present recently published research tracing the development of Lycurgus’ image across Greek and Latin literature. Gatto's book is organized chronologically, and begins with early references in Herodotus and Simonides and moves through the works of Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, and other Hellenistic authors. From the first century BCE onward, it explores Latin writers such as Cicero and Titus Livius, who contributed to this evolving portrait, while a dedicated chapter examines Plutarch, the most influential source for Lycurgus’ legacy.
The study concludes by analyzing selected passages from imperial Greek and late antique authors, highlighting how Lycurgus continued to influence later writers beyond Plutarch.
The presentation will also briefly touch on the afterlife of Lycurgus' tradition, showing how his figure continued to resonate in the modern age, well beyond classical antiquity.
About the speaker
Martina Gatto holds a PhD in Ancient Classics from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” . She has been a visiting researcher at KU Leuven University in Flanders (Belgium) and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow in Greek history at Tor Vergata and an affiliate researcher at The Norwegian Institute in Rome.
Interested in attending?
Kindly register if you wish to participate at the seminar: https://nettskjema.no/a/eveninglecture