LY SANDER. 129

she could not have conceived by him, and had hitherto always neglected and manifestly disowned Leotychides ; but now when he was carried sick to Heraea, being ready to die, what by the importunities of the young man him- self, and of his friends, in tbe presence of many he de- clared Leotychides to be his; and desiring those who were present to bear witness of this to the Lacedaemo- nians, died. They accordingly did so testify in favor of Leotychides. And Agesilaus, being otherwise highly re- puted of, and strong in the support of Lysander, was, on the other hand, prejudiced by Diopithes, a man famous for his knowledge of oracles, who adduced this prophecy in reference to Agesilaus's lameness : — Beware, great Sparta, lest there come of thee, Though sound thyself, an halting sovereignty ; Troubles, both long and unexpected too, And storms of deadly warfare shall ensue. When many, therefore, yielded to the oracle, and inclined to Leotychides, Lysander said that Diopithes did not take the prophecy rightly ; for it was not that the god would be offended if any lame person ruled over the Lacedae- monians, but that the kingdom would be a lame one, if bastards and false-born should govern with the posterity of Hercules. By this argument, and by his great influ- ence among them, he prevailed, and Agesilaus was made king. Immediately, therefore, Lysander spurred him on to make an expedition into Asia, putting him in hopes that he might destroy the Persians, and attain the height of greatness. And he wrote to his friends in Asia, bidding them request to have Agesilaus appointed to command them in the war against the barbarians ; which they were persuaded to, and sent ambassadors to Lacedaemon to en- treat it. And this would seem to be a second favor done vol. in. 9