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intent in what he did but only to follow the example of Lycurgus；
and to govern conformably to his laws。 The same ephor asked him
whether now at least he did not repent his rashness。 To which the
young man answered that though he were to suffer the extremest penalty
for it； yet he could never repent of so just and so glorious a design。
Upon this they passed sentence of death on him； and bade the
officers carry him to the Dechas； as it is called； a place in the
prison where they strangle malefactors。 And when the officers would
not venture to lay hands on him； and the very mercenary soldiers
declined it； believing it an illegal and a wicked act to lay violent
hands on a king； Demochares； threatening and reviling them for it；
himself thrust him into the room。
For by this time the news of his being seized had reached many parts
of the city； and there was a concourse of people with lights and
torches about the prison gates； and in the midst of them the mother
and the grandmother of Agis； crying out with a loud voice that their
king ought to appear； and to be heard and judged by the people。 But
this clamour； instead of preventing； hastened his death； his enemies
fearing； if the tumult should increase； he might be rescued during the
night out of their hands。
Agis； being now at the point to die； perceived one of the officers
bitterly bewailing his misfortune； 〃Weep not； friend；〃 said he； 〃for
me； who die innocent； by the lawless act of wicked men。 My condition
is much better than theirs。〃 As soon as he had spoken these words； not
showing the least sign of fear； he offered his neck to the noose。
Immediately after he was dead； Amphares went out of the prison gate；
where he found Agesistrata； who； believing him still the same friend
as before； threw herself at his feet。 He gently raised her up； and
assured her； she need not fear any further violence or danger of death
for her son； and that if pleased she might go in and see him。 She
begged her mother might also have the favour to be admitted； and he
replied； nobody should hinder it。 When they were entered； he commanded
the gate should again be locked； and Archidamia； the grandmother； to
be first introduced。 She was now grown very old； and had lived all her
days in the highest repute among her fellows。 As soon as Amphares
thought she was despatched； he told Agesistrata she might now go in if
she pleased。 She entered； and beholding her son's body stretched on
the ground； and her mother hanging by the neck； the first thing she
did was； with her own hands； to assist the officers in taking down the
body； then covering it decently； she laid it out by her son's； whom
then embracing and kissing his cheeks； 〃O my son；〃 said she； 〃it was
thy too great mercy and goodness which brought thee and us to ruin。〃
Amphares； who stood watching behind the door； on hearing this； broke
in； and said angrily to her； 〃Since you approve so well of your
son's actions； it is fit you should partake in his reward。〃 She；
rising up to offer herself to the noose； said only； 〃I pray that it
may redound to the good of Sparta。〃
The three bodies being now exposed to view； and the fact divulged；
no fear was strong enough to hinder the people from expressing their
abhorrence of what was done； and their detestation of Leonidas and
Amphares； the contrivers of it。 So wicked and barbarous an act had
never been committed in Sparta since first the Dorians inhabited
Peloponnesus； the very enemies in war； they said； were always cautious
in spilling the blood of a Lacedaemonian king； insomuch that in any
combat they would decline； and endeavour to avoid them； from
feelings of respect and reverence for their station。 And certainly
we see that in the many battles fought betwixt the Lacedaemonians
and the other Greeks； up to the time of Philip of Macedon； not one
of their kings was ever killed； except Cleombrotus by a
javelin…wound at the battle of Leuctra。 I am not ignorant that the
Messenians affirm； Theopompus was also slain by their Aristomenes； but
the Lacedaemonians deny it； and say he was only wounded。
Be it as it will； it is certain at least that Agis was the first
king put to death in Lacedaemon by the ephors； for having undertaken a
design noble in itself and worthy of his country； at a time of life
when men's errors usually meet with an easy pardon。 And if errors he
did commit； his enemies certainly had less reason to blame him than
had his friends for that gentle and compassionate temper which made
him save the life of Leonidas and believe in other men's professions。
THE END