[15] Polyb. lib. 6. p. 685. vol. 1. edit. Isaac Gronov. 1670. [16] Plut. in Vit. Lysand. p. 442. lit. E. [17] Plut. it Vit. Agesi. p. 617. lit. C. [18] In Vit. Agid. p. 796. lit. C. [19] Ibid. p. 797. lit. C. [20] In Vit Agid. p. 797. lit. A. [21] Ibid. lit. E. [22] Vita Agid. p. 797. lit. B. [23] Ibid. lit. C. [24] Ibid. p. 798. lit. B. [25] Something seems plainly to be wanting in this passage, which is strangely obscure and intricate. It is evident that Agis employed his uncle Agesilaus to persuade his mother, who was Agesilaus’s sister, τὴν μητέρα πείθειν, ἀδελφὴν οὖσαν τοῦ Ἀγησιλάου. The king himself entreats his mother to assist him, &c αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐδεῖτο τῆς μητρός. And after he has enumerated the advantages which would result from his scheme, Plutarch abruptly adds οὕτω μετέπεσον ταῖς γνώμαις αἱ γυναῖκες &c. in the plural number, though he had just before mentioned Agis’s mother only, as the woman applied to on this occasion. It is evident therefore that his grandmother and all their female friends and relations must have been present that time, though not mentioned, and that they were the only Spartan ladies who came heartily into his scheme. For when Agis afterwards offers his whole fortune to the publick, he assures the people that his mother and grandmother, τὰς μητέρας, and his friends and relations, who were the richest families in Sparta, were ready to do the same. As Agis certainly includes the wives of his friends and relations, and mentions no other women, I have taken that speech for my guide in giving the sense of this whole passage, in which I could get no assistance from any of the commentators. [26] In Vit. Agid. p. 798. lit. D. [27] Vit. Agid. p. 800. lit. A. [28] Ibid. 799. lit. A. [29] This is an oracle mentioned by Plutarch, about which the learned are not agreed: however, it seems to have given its responses in dreams. [30] The reader may be glad perhaps to find here the ceremony made use of upon this occasion. Vit. Agid. p. 800. lit. B. δι’ ἐτῶν ἐννέα λαβόντες οἱ Ἔφοροι, &c. Every ninth year the ephori taking the opportunity of a clear and still night, when the moon did not appear, sat silently and observed the sky with great attention, and if they saw a star shoot, they judged the kings had offended the gods; and removed them from government, until an oracle came from Delphos which was favourable to them. [31] Plut. Vit. Agid. p. 798. lit. A. [32] Ibid. p. 801. lit. B. [33] Vit. Agid. p. 803. lit. A. [34] Plut. Vit. Cleom. p. 805. lit. B. [35] Plut. Vit. Cleom. p. 809. lit. A. [36] Plut. Vit. Cleom. p. 807. lit. B. [37] Vit. Cleom. p. 808. lit. A. [38] Vit. Cleom. p. 809. lit. A. [39] Parallel. inter Agid. et Cleom. et T. et C. Gracch. p. 844. lit. D. [40] Vit. Cleom. p. 811. lit. C. [41] Plut. Vit. Cleom. p. 822. lit. E. [42] Polyb. lib. 4. p. 479.