按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
process； fled as a suppliant to the temple of Minerva of the Brazen
House； together with his daughter； the wife of Cleombrotus； for she in
this occasion resolved to leave her husband； and to follow her father。
Leonidas being again cited； and not appearing； they pronounced a
sentence of deposition against him； and made Cleombrotus king in his
place。
Soon after this revolution； Lysander； his year expiring； went out of
his office； and new ephors were chosen； who gave Leonidas assurance of
safety； and cited Lysander and Mandroclidas to answer for having；
contrary to law； cancelled debts； and designed a new division of
lands。 They； seeing themselves in danger； had recourse to the two
kings； and represented to them how necessary it was for their interest
and safety to act with united authority； and bid defiance to the
ephors。 For； indeed； the power of the ephors； they said； was only
grounded on the dissensions of the kings； it being their privilege；
when the kings differed in opinion； to add their suffrage to whichever
they judged to have given the best advice； but when the two kings were
unanimous； none ought or durst resist their authority； the magistrate；
whose office it was to stand as umpire when they were at variance； had
no call to interfere when they were of one mind。 Agis and Cleombrotus；
thus persuaded； went together with their friends into the
market…place； where removing the ephors from their seats； they
placed others in their room； of whom Agesilaus was one； proceeding
then to arm a company of young men； and releasing many out of
prison； so that those of the contrary faction began to be in great
fear of their lives； but there was no blood spilt。 On the contrary；
Agis； having notice that Agesilaus had ordered a company of soldiers
to lie in wait for Leonidas； to kill him as he fled to Tegea；
immediately sent some of his followers to defend him； and to convey
him safely into that city。
Thus far all things proceeded prosperously； none daring to oppose；
but through the sordid weakness of one man； these promising beginnings
were blasted； and a most noble and truly Spartan purpose overthrown
and ruined by the love of money。 Agesilaus； as we said； was much in
debt； though in possession of one of the largest and best estates in
land； and while he gladly joined in this design to be quit of his
debts； he was not at all willing to part with his land。 Therefore he
persuaded Agis； that if both these things should be put in execution
at the same time； so great and so sudden an alteration might cause
some dangerous commotion； but if debts were in the first place
cancelled； the rich men would afterwards more easily be prevailed with
to part with their land。 Lysander； also； was of the same opinion；
being deceived in like manner by the craft of Agesilaus； so that all
men were presently commanded to bring in their bonds； or deeds of
obligation； by the Lacedaemonians called Claria； into the
market…place； where being laid together in a heap they set fire to
them。 The wealthy； money…lending people； one may easily imagine；
beheld it with a heavy heart； but Agesilaus told them scoffingly；
his eyes had never seen so bright and so pure a flame。
And now the people pressed earnestly for an immediate division of
lands； the kings also had ordered it should be done； but Agesilaus；
sometimes pretending one difficulty； and sometimes another； delayed
the execution； till an occasion happened to call Agis to the wars。 The
Achaeans； in virtue of a defensive treaty of alliance； sent to
demand succours； as they expected every day that Aetolians would
attempt to enter Peloponnesus； from the territory of Megara。 They
had sent Aratus； their general； to collect forces to hinder this
incursion。 Aratus wrote to the ephors； who immediately gave order that
Agis should hasten to their assistance with the Lacedaemonian
auxiliaries。 Agis was extremely pleased to see the zeal and bravery of
those who went with him upon this expedition。 They were； for the
most part young men； and poor； and being just released from their
debts and set at liberty； and hoping on their return to receive each
man his lot of land； they followed their king with wonderful alacrity。
The cities through which they passed were in admiration to see how
they marched from one end of Peloponnesus to the other； without the
least disorder； and； in a manner； without being heard。 It gave the
Greeks occasion to discourse with one another； how great might be
the temperance and modesty of a Laconian army in old time； under their
famous captains： Agesilaus； Lysander； or Leonidas； since they saw such
discipline and exact obedience under a leader who perhaps was the
youngest man in all the army。 They saw also how he was himself content
to fare hardly； ready to undergo any labours； and not to be
distinguished by pomp or richness of habit or arms from the meanest of
his soldiers； and to people in general it was an object of regard
and admiration。 But rich men viewed the innovation with dislike and
alarm； lest haply the example might spread； and work changes to
their prejudice in their own countries as well。
Agis joined Aratus near the city of Corinth； where it was still a
matter of debate whether or no it were expedient to give the enemy
battle。 Agis； on this occasion； showed great forwardness and
resolution； yet without temerity or presumption。 He declared it was
his opinion they ought to fight； thereby to hinder the enemy from
passing the gates of Peloponnesus； but nevertheless he would submit to
the judgment of Aratus； not only as the elder and more experienced
captain； but as he was general of the Achaeans； whose forces he
would not pretend to command； but was only come thither to assist
them。 I am not ignorant that Baton of Sinope relates it in another
manner； he says； Aratus would have fought； and that Agis was against
it； but it is certain he was mistaken； not having read what Aratus
himself wrote in his own justification； that knowing the people had
well…nigh got in their harvest； he thought it much better to let the
enemy pass than put all to the hazard of a battle。 And； therefore；
giving thanks to the confederates for their readiness； he dismissed
them。 And Agis； not without having gained a great deal of honour；
returned to Sparta； where he found the people in disorder； and a new
revolution imminent； owing to the ill…government of Agesilaus。
For he； being now one of the ephors； and freed from the fear which
formerly kept him in some restraint； forbore no kind of oppression
which might bring in gain。 Among other things； he exacted a thirteenth
month's tax； whereas the usual cycle required at this time no such
addition to the year。 For these and other reasons fearing those whom
he injured； and knowing how he was hated by the people； he thought
it necessary to maintain a guard； which always accompanied him to
the magistrate's office。 And presuming now on his power； he was
grown so insolent； that of the two kings； the one he openly contemned；
and if he showed any respect towards Agis； would have it thought
rather an effect of his near relationship； than any duty or submission
to the royal authorit