03.15.07.2002
By interest spurred in the moment of the movie 300, I was delightfully immersing myself in research of Sparta. Aside from all the really cool (and unusual) facts about that ancient and unique state and culture, I came across the name Lycurgus. In an effort to learn more about the origins of Spartan Law, I needed to find out what I could about Lycurgus, which was very little. (It’s interesting how Bertand Russell came up with a reason to doubt the historicity of Lycurgus as an actual person… there’s certainly a correlation there to be made concerning Jesus.)
So, that’s how I came upon Lycurgus, and from there I found out he is one of 23 lawgivers who are depicted on marble-bas relief portraits in the House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol Building. I thought this was intresting enough to check out exactly who the other 22 men that the Federal government felt were important enough to represent the foundation of American Law. I was impressed, and disappointed with their choices…
George Mason: Good choice… one of the key figures of early American government. I recommend learning more about him.
Robert Joseph Pothier: I don’t know a whole lot about him… he’s this Frenchie that contributed to French Law… studied Roman Law.
Jean Baptiste Colbert: Prominent Finance Minister and Controller General under Louis XVI; made many reforms to the government… still a Frenchie. No relations to Stephen Colbert!
Edward I (“Longshanks”): What they didn’t tell you in the movie Braveheart was that Longshanks founded the Parliamentary Constitution of England. What they also didn’t tell you was that he was the “original Hitler” who expelled all the Jews from England in 1290 (most likely for racial reasons; not financial) after having arrested all the heads of the Jewish households (over 300) and having them executed in the Tower of London (while having others murdered in their homes). He had Jews wear yellow patches which Hitler copied centuries later… and this guy is a representative of the foundation of American Law???
Alfonso X: Spanish monarch; big influencer of Spanish jurisprudence… whoop-dee-doo… he was however really interested in astronomy, and that’s kind of cool.
Pope Gregory IX: I can’t find barely any good stuff about this guy… he mirrored his uncle, Pope Innocent III, in terms of policy.
Louis IX of France (“Saint Louis”): A zealous Christian Frenchie who did little worth mentioning outside religious circles… in terms of politics that is… except for the fact that he ruled when France was at the height of its political, economical, and military power; then being the most powerful country in Europe at the time. Sure he settled disputes… so what.
Justinian I: Big-time Byzantine emperor and proprietor of the Justinian Code… good choice. Nevermind the fact that he zealously enforced the suppression and destruction of paganism in his domains, forcing a conversion of many to Nicean Christianity… the pagans weren’t by themselves… he picked on the Jews too; forcing their conversion as well. He also made trouble for Christians of other denominations as well… yup… he wanted unity in faith as well as political power. Oh yeah, did I mention he made trouble for Jews?? Religious despot… bah!
Tribonian: Byzantine jurist who had involvement with the Justinian Code. Another whoop-dee-doo…
Lycurgus of Sparta: Military-savvy war veteran who, as regent or tutor to King Charilaus, outlined a great deal of reforms that became the basis of fundamental Spartan Law. It should be noted that Spartan Law dictated a mixed constitutional system (monarchical, oligarchical, and democratic), but still demonstrated an image of what we would today call totalitarianism. I don’t see what significance Spartan Law has on American Law, but its nice to be mentioned… I guess?
Hammurabi: Super-important King of Babylonia who authored the Code of Hammurabi. While the code was really effective for its time, it has little use in today’s society… in America that is. Hey… those Enron bastards ripped off a lot of money from their own employees… let’s cut their arms and legs off!!!
Moses: Did this guy even exist? Regardless, in the Torah, he laid the foundation of Jewish Law… you may find the Ten Commandments to be somewhat different in the Torah than those found in the Bible. Does it come at any surprise?? BTW… has President Bush ever worked on the Sabbath? (Should he then not be executed?) ;p
Solon: Badass Athenian statesman… accredited as one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Read about him! Definitely one of the most significant people on this list to contribute to American Law.
Papinian: Roman jurist who made tons of contributions to Roman jurisprudence and influenced the development of the Justinian Code. He and Emperor Severus were buddies and he tried to keep the peace between Caracalla and Geta, but to no avail. Why have this guy in the list if you’ve already got Justinian?
Gaius of Rome: Famous Roman jurist who wrote a great deal about Roman law (particularly The Institutes: an exposition into the elements of Roman civil law). He served under Emperors Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and (sadly) Commodus. I can see the significance… ;p
Maimonides: A Jewish philosopher… compiled an exposition of Jewish law. Like Papinian, why have this guy when you’ve got Moses?
Suleiman the Magnificent: Turkish Sultan of the Ottoman Empire; made it a world power. Known in the Islamic world as “The Lawgiver”, he set up massive reforms that ushered in a golden age for the empire… he certainly was a major step up from his father; Selim the Grim! He’s a good role model for any prospective leader of government, and a good choice for this list.
Pope Innocent III: The stupidest choice on this list… why have Gregory IX when you have this unmatched example of intolerance who reigned at the height of papal power, defining religious totalitarianism and absolutism? What possible reason could he be on this list?
Simon de Montfort: Excellent choice… read all about him!
Hugo Grotius: Another excellent choice… contributed to the study of international law.
Sir William Blackstone: Wonderful choice… this guy is very important to the foundation of American Law. Read about him too!
Napoleon: French Emperor who made an important impact on European and American Law. Good choice… despite the not-so-nice stuff he did.
Thomas Jefferson: My favorite President of the United States… if you don’t know about him, you’re missing out (and I feel sorry for you if you don’t)!!
So… we have 23 people on this list, and it turns out that only 9 (maybe 12 if you want to get picky) have any REAL direct significance to American Law. WTF? Okay, 9 or 12 out of 23 is my opinion… but the facts are there.