Histories

Driven from +Aegina [23.433,37.75] (inhabited place), Aegina, Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Aegina, Cleomenes asked Crius his name; and when Crius told him what it was, Cleomenes said to him, “Now is the time to put bronze on your horns, Mr. Ram,[*](*krio/s = ram.) for great calamity will confront you.”

All this time Demaratus son of Ariston remained at Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta and spread evil reports of Cleomenes. This Demaratus was also king of Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, but of the inferior house; not indeed inferior in any other regard (for they have a common ancestor), but the house of Eurysthenes has in some sort the greater honor by right of primogeniture.[*](“The most probable origin of this anomaly” (the dual kingship) “is the fusion of two distinct communities whose chiefs shared the throne.” How and Wells, p. 82.)

The Lacedaemonians say (but no poet agrees) that it was Aristodemus son of Aristomachus son of Cleodaeus son of Hyllus, and not his sons, who led them to that land which they now possess.

After no long time Aristodemus' wife, whose name was Argeia, bore him offspring; they say she was daughter of Autesion son of Tisamenus son of Thersander son of Polynices; she bore him twins; Aristodemus lived to see the children, then died of a sickness.

The Lacedaemonians of that day planned to follow their custom and make the eldest of the children king. But the children were identical in all respects, so the Lacedaemonians did not know which to choose; when they could not judge between them, or perhaps even before this, they asked the mother.