Chilon as a moral lawgiver of Sparta

The article assesses the role of one of the Seven Sages, Chilon, a lawgiver and a mentor of the ancient Sparta. The analysis of Chilon’s aphorisms displays that they are not just a sum of worldly wisdoms. More appropriately they may be perceived as a compendium of moral instructions that have become an integral part of the Spartan educational system. A special attention is given to deciphering the original meaning of the maxim “Know thyself” that is attributed to Chilon. The author hypothesizes that in a Spartan polis, whose citizens were used to a minimum of written laws, Chilon’s edification could serve as binding unwritten rules.