popularity with the many. They, after this first step, grew
bolder; and the succeeding kings partly incurred hatred with their
people by trying to use force, or, for popularity's sake and
through weakness, gave way; and anarchy and confusion long
prevailed in Sparta, causing, moreover, the death of the father of
Lycurgus. For as he was endeavoring to quell a riot, he was
stabbed with a butcher's knife, and left the title of king to his
eldest son Polydectes.

He, too, dying soon after, the right of succession (as every one
thought) rested in Lycurgus; and reign he did for a time, but
declared that the kingdom belonged to the child of his sister-in-
law the queen, and that he himself should exercise the regal
jurisdiction only as his guardian; the Spartan name for which
office is prodicus. Soon after, an overture was made to him by the
queen, that she would herself in some way destroy the infant, upon
condition that he would marry her when he came to the crown.
Abhorring the woman's wickedness, he nevertheless did not reject
her proposal, but, making show of closing with her, despatched the
messenger with thanks and expressions of joy, with orders that
they should bring the boy baby to him, wheresoever he were, and
whatsoever doing. It so fell out that when he was at supper with
the principal magistrates, the queen's child was presented to him,
and he, taking him into his arms, said to those about him, "Men of
Sparta, here is a king born unto us;" this said, he laid him down
in the king's place, and named him Charilaus, that is, the joy of
the people; because that all were transported with joy and with
wonder at his noble and just spirit. His reign had lasted only
eight months, but he was honored on other accounts by the
citizens, and there were more who obeyed him because of his