Division in Sparta

Sparta had changed since Lycurgus—no longer brave and frugal but greedy and wicked. King Leonidas (not the hero of Thermopylae) married an Eastern wife and lived in Eastern pomp. His fellow-king was a miser whose widow and mother had more gold than the city. His son Agis succeeded him, living like old Spartans—frugal and virtuous. Only 700 true Spartans remained. Agis persuaded his family to give up their wealth for equality. Leonidas opposed him. The people deposed Leonidas for marrying a foreigner and made his son-in-law Cleombrotus king. Leonidas fled to a temple. His daughter Chilonis left her husband and the throne to console her father. When Spartans plotted to kill Leonidas, Agis helped him escape; Chilonis followed into exile. When Agis was away defeating the Aetolians, the rich refused to give up property and recalled Leonidas. Cleombrotus fled to a temple; Chilonis joined him. She begged her father to spare Cleombrotus; Leonidas agreed to exile. Chilonis walked out of the city with her husband and children.