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others。 For having lived a long time among the great lords of
Persia； and been a follower of King Seleucus； he unadvisedly thought
to imitate； among Greek institutions and in a lawful government； the
pride and assumption usual in those courts。 Agis； on the contrary；
in fineness of nature and elevation of mind； not only far excelled
Leonidas； but in a manner all the kings that had reigned since the
great Agesilaus。 For though he had been bred very tenderly； in
abundance and even in luxury； by his mother Agesistrata and his
grandmother Archidamia； who were the wealthiest of the Lacedaemonians；
yet； before the age of twenty； he renounced all indulgence in
pleasures。 Withdrawing himself as far as possible from the gaiety
and ornament which seemed becoming to the grace of his person； he made
it his pride to appear in the coarse Spartan coat。 In his meals； his
bathings； and in all his exercises； he followed the old Laconian
usage； and was often heard to say； he had no desire for the place of
king； if he did not hope by means of that authority to restore their
ancient laws and discipline。
The Lacedaemonians might date the beginning of their corruption from
their conquest of Athens； and the influx of gold and silver among them
that thence ensued。 Yet； nevertheless； the number of houses which
Lycurgus appointed being still maintained； and the law remaining in
force by which every one was obliged to leave his lot or portion of
land entirely to his son； a kind of order and equality was thereby
preserved； which still in some degree sustained the state amidst its
errors in other respects。 But one Epitadeus happening to be ephor； a
man of great influence； and of a willful； violent spirit； on some
occasion of a quarrel with his son； proposed a decree； that all men
should have liberty to dispose of their land by gift in their
lifetime； or by their last will and testament。 This being promoted
by him to satisfy a passion of revenge； and through covetousness
consented to by others； and thus enacted for a law； was the ruin of
the best state of the commonwealth。 For the rich men without scruple
drew the estate into their own hands； excluding the rightful heirs
from their succession； and all the wealth being centered upon the few；
the generality were poor and miserable。 Honorable pursuits； for
which there was no longer leisure； were neglected； the state was
filled with sordid business； and with hatred and envy of the rich。
There did not remain above seven hundred of the old Spartan
families； of which； perhaps； one hundred might have estate in land；
the rest were destitute alike of wealth and of honour； were tardy
and unperforming in the defence of their country against its enemies
abroad； and eagerly watched the opportunity for change and
revolution at home。
Agis； therefore； believing it a glorious action； as in truth it was；
to equalize and repeople the state； began to sound the inclinations of
the citizens。 He found the young men disposed beyond his
expectation； they were eager to enter with him upon the contest in the
cause of virtue； and to fling aside； for freedom's sake； their old
manner of life； as readily as the wrestler does his garment。 But the
old men； habituated and more confirmed in their vices； were most of
them as alarmed at the very name of Lycurgus； as a fugitive slave to
be brought back before his offended master。 These men could not endure
to hear Agis continually deploring the present state of Sparta； and
wishing she might be restored to her ancient glory。 But on the other
side； Lysander； the son of Libys； Mandroclidas； the son of Ecphanes；
together with Agesilaus； not only approved his design； but assisted
and confirmed him in it。 Lysander had a great authority and credit
with the people； Mandroclidas was esteemed the ablest Greek of his
time to manage an affair and put it in train； and； joined with skill
and cunning； had a great degree of boldness。 Agesilaus was the
king's uncle； by the mother's side； an eloquent man； but covetous
and voluptuous； who was not moved by considerations of public good；
but rather seemed to be persuaded in it by his son Hippomedon； whose
courage and signal actions in war had gained him a high esteem and
great influence among the young men of Sparta； though indeed the
true motive was； that he had many debts； and hoped by this means to be
freed from them。
As soon as Agis had prevailed with his uncle； he endeavoured by
his mediation to gain his mother also； who had many friends and
followers； and a number of persons in her debt in the city； and took a
considerable part in public affairs。 At the first proposal she was
very averse； and strongly advised her son not to engage in so
difficult and so unprofitable an enterprise。 But Agesilaus endeavoured
to possess her； that the thing was not so difficult as she imagined；
and that it might； in all likelihood； redound to the advantage of
her family； while the king； her son； besought her not for money's sake
to decline assisting his hopes of glory。 He told her he could not
pretend to equal other kings in riches； the very followers and menials
of the satraps and stewards of Seleucus or Ptolemy abounding more in
wealth than all the Spartan kings put together； but if by contempt
of wealth and pleasure； by simplicity and magnanimity； he could
surpass their luxury and abundance； if he could restore their former
equality to the Spartans； then he should be a great king indeed。 In
conclusion； the mother and the grandmother also were so taken； so
carried away with the inspiration； as it were； of the young man's
noble and generous ambition； that they not only consented； but were
ready on all occasions to spur him on to a perseverance； and not
only sent to speak on his behalf with the men with whom they had an
interest； but addressed the other women also； knowing well that the
Lacedaemonian wives had always a great power with their husbands；
who used to impart to them their state affairs with greater freedom
than the women would communicate with the men in the private
business of their families。 Which was indeed one of the greatest
obstacles to this design； for the money of Sparta being most of it
in the women's hands； it was their interest to oppose it； not only
as depriving them of those superfluous trifles； in which； through want
of better knowledge and experience； they placed their chief
felicity； but also because they knew their riches were the main
support of their power and credit。
Those； therefore； who were of this faction had recourse to
Leonidas representing to him how it was his part； as the elder and
more experienced； to put a stop to the ill…advised projects of a
rash young man。 Leonidas； though of himself sufficiently inclined to
oppose Agis； durst not openly； for fear of the people； who were
manifestly desirous of this change； but underhand he did all he
could to discredit and thwart the project； and to prejudice the
chief magistrates against him； and on all occasions craftily
insinuated that it was at the price of letting him usurp arbitrary
power that Agis thus proposed to divide the property of the rich among
the poor； and that the object of t