king of Lacedaemon, was descended from Agelaius II. in a right line. He projected the reformation of his kingdom, by the restoring of the laws of Lycurgus; but he fell under the weight of an enterprise that could not but be disagreeable to all those who had great possessions, and had been long accustomed to the sweets of a voluptuous life. Agis being in the flower of his age, and having a very refined desire of glory, practised the ancient discipline first in his own person; his clothes and his table were according to the manners of former times; which is so much the more to be admired, because Agelaius his mother and Archidamia his grandmother had brought him up voluntarily. When he founded his peoples minds, he found the younger fort opposed his project less than those who had enjoyed a relaxation of discipline several years. The greatest difficulty was expected to arise from the women. They had at that time more credit than ever; for their power is never greater than when luxury is in fashion. Agelaius's mother did not at all relish the proposed reformation. She must have lost her riches, which gave her a share in a thousand sorts of intrigues; so she opposed the design at once, and treated it as a chimera. But her brother Agelaius, whom Agis had engaged in his interests, knew how to manage her in such a manner that she promised to second the enterprise. She endeavoured to gain the women; but instead of suffering themselves to be persuaded, they applied to Leonidas the other king of Lacedaemon, and humbly besought him to frustrate the designs of his colleague. Leonidas durst not oppose it openly, for fear of irritating the people; to whom the reformation was agreeable, because they found their account in it. He contented himself with countermining it by intrigues, and sowing suspicions as if Agis had aspired to tyranny, by pulling down the rich and raising the poor. Agis did not fail to propose his new laws to the senate, relating to the discharge of debts, and a new division of the lands. Leonidas, being supported by the rich, opposed this project so strongly, that there was one voice more against it than for it. He paid dear for the success in this affair. Lycaen, one of the Ephori, who had been the grand promoter of the reformation, called him to account; alleged the celestial signs; and put to death Cleombrotus, a prince of the royal blood and son-in-law to Leonidas, to make sure of the kingdom. Agistment, kingdom. Leonidas being frightened at this, took refuge in a temple; whither his daughter, the wife of Cleombrotus, followed him. He was summoned; and because he did not appear, he was degraded of his dignity, which was conferred on Cleombrotus. He obtained leave to retire to Tegsea. The new Ephori had Lyfander and Mandroclidas tried for innovation; these persuaded the two kings to unite and turn out these Ephori. The thing was brought about; but not without a great uproar in the city. Agefilas, one of the Ephori that succeeded those who were just turned out, would have caused Leonidas to be killed on the way to Tegsea, if Agis had not sent him a strong guard. The reformation might then have been established, if Agefilas had not found means to elude the good intentions of the two kings. Whilst this was transacting, the Achaeans asked assistance; which was given them, and Agis had the command of the troops. He acquired a good deal of reputation in this campaign. At his return, he found his affairs so embroiled by the ill conduct of Agefilas, that it was impossible for him to maintain himself. Leonidas was recalled to Lacedemon: Agis retired into one temple and Cleomenes into another. The wife of the latter behaved herself in such a manner that she became the admiration of every body. Leonidas was contented with banishing his son-in-law; after which he applied himself entirely to the ruin of Agis. One of the Ephori, who had no mind to return what Agefilata had lent him, was the principal instrument of the misfortune of this family. Agis never went out of his sanctuary but to bathe. One day, as he was returning from thence to the temple, he was seized by that Ephorus and carried to prison. Then he was brought to his trial and condemned to death, and delivered to the executioner. His mother and grandmother used all the intreaty and importunity imaginable, that, as he was king of Lacedemon, he might at least be permitted to plead his cause before the people. But they were apprehtive lest his words would make too great an impression, and therefore they ordered him to be strangled that very hour. The Ephorus who was in debt to Agefilata permitted that princes to go into the prison; which he granted likewise to Agis's grandmother; but he gave orders to strangle them one after another. Agefilata died in a manner that was extremely to her honour. The wife of Agis, who was a princess of great fortune and prudence, and one of the finest ladies in Greece, was forced away from her apartment by king Leonidas, and obliged to marry his son, who was then very young, and hardly fit for marriage.