Note 233-2 — Chapter II

In Greece, Lycurgus' legislation seems to have contained the first prohibition relating to luxury. No one should own a house or household article which had been made with a finer implement than an ax or a saw; and no Spartan cook should use any other spice than salt and vinegar. (Plut., De Sanitate, 12; Lycurg., 13. On Periander, see Ephorus, ed. Marx, fr. 106. Heracb., Pont. ed.; Köhler, fr. 5; Diog. Laert., I, 96 ff.) The luxury-prohibitions of Solon were aimed especially at the female passion for dress and the pomp of funerals. Those who had the surveillance of the sex watched also over the luxury of banquets. Athen., VI, 245; Demosth. in Macart., 1070. In Rome, there were laws regulating the pomp of and display at funerals, dating from the time of the Kings; but especially are such laws to be found in the twelve tables. Lex Oppia de Cultu Mulierum in the year 215 before Christ. A very interesting debate concerning the abolition of this law in Livy, XXXIV, 1 ff. About 189, prohibition of several foreign articles of luxury. Plin., H. N., XIII, 5, XIV, 16. Measures of Cato the censor. (Livy, XXXIX, 44.) First law relating to the table, L. Orchia, in the year 187; afterwards L. Fannia, 161, L. Didia, 143 before Christ. (Macrob., Sat. V, 13; Gellius, N. A., II, 24. Plin., H. N., X, 7.) After a long pause, sumptuary laws relating to food, funerals and games of chance, constitute an important part of Sulla's legislation.