It is said that Lycurgus forbade the use of gold and silver, and ordained an iron coinage; but gold and silver were at that time unknown as coins in Sparta, and iron was a common medium of exchange throughout Greece.

The interdiction of the precious metals was therefore of later origin.

It seems to have only related to private Spartans.

For those who, not being Spartans of the city--that is to say, for the Laconians or Perioeci-- engaged in commerce, the interdiction could not have existed.

A more pernicious regulation it is impossible to conceive.