In the passage about Lycurgus, choose the most appropriate noun to complete the phrase a promise from his ________, assuring him of the immutability of his laws.

Introduction / Context:
This question continues the passage about Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta. It focuses on the phrase a promise from his blank, which must describe the people over whom he ruled. The sentence speaks about a formal promise that his laws would remain unchanged until his return from a journey. Therefore, the noun must fit both the political relationship and the formal tone of the passage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The critical fragment is a promise from his blank, assuring him of the immutability of his laws.

The options are nation, society, subjects, and community.

We know that Lycurgus is described as the ruler of Sparta, which was a city state in ancient Greece.

Concept / Approach:
The term subjects is historically used to describe people who live under the authority of a monarch, ruler, or lawgiver. It directly reflects the relationship between Lycurgus and the population of Sparta in this mythological setting. Nation and community are more modern, broad terms that do not emphasise the ruler ruled relationship as clearly. Society is a more abstract term for social structure and does not usually appear in the phrase a promise from his society. In contrast, a promise from his subjects fits naturally in historical and legal contexts, and clearly indicates that the people under his rule gave him the promise regarding his laws.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Lycurgus as the ruler of Sparta, which implies that the people he governs are his political dependants. Step 2: Recall that the word subjects is traditionally used for people who owe allegiance to a sovereign or ruler. Step 3: Evaluate nation and society, which refer broadly to the people of a country or the social structure but do not clearly show a direct personal relation to the ruler. Step 4: Consider community, which describes a group of people living in the same place or sharing common interests, again without highlighting the ruler ruled relationship. Step 5: Choose subjects as the noun that both reflects the political role of Lycurgus and fits the formal tone of the passage.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence. A promise from his subjects, assuring him of the immutability of his laws till he returned, sounds natural and historically appropriate. A promise from his nation is less idiomatic, since nation usually refers to the state itself rather than to people bound personally to a ruler. A promise from his society feels vague, because society is an abstract concept rather than a group that promises collectively. A promise from his community is possible but more suited to modern local contexts and lacks the grandeur and formal political sense required by the mythological narrative. Historical and legal writing frequently uses expressions like the subjects of the king or his subjects made a promise, confirming that subjects is the best fit.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A nation emphasises the collective state rather than the personal bond of allegiance between ruler and people, and it is not common in the phrase a promise from his nation. Option B society is abstract and refers more to social structure and institutions than to a group of people making a concrete promise to a ruler. Option D community usually describes a local group tied by common interest or location, not necessarily by legal or political subordination to a ruler.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse these terms because they all relate to groups of people. The subtle but important difference is the type of relationship implied. Subjects highlight a formal, often hierarchical relation under a ruler, which is exactly the situation described for Lycurgus. Nation, society, and community are broader and more modern terms. To avoid confusion in similar questions, always ask what the nature of the relationship is in the passage and select the noun that captures that specific relationship, not just any word referring to people in general.

Final Answer:
subjects