Taking his stand on this remark, Leotychides declared that Demaratus was not Ariston's son and that he was not rightly king of Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, bringing as witnesses the ephors who had been sitting beside Ariston and heard him say this.

Disputes arose over it, so the Spartans resolved to ask the oracle at Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi if Demaratus was the son of Ariston.

At Cleomenes' instigation this was revealed to the Pythia. He had won over a man of great influence among the Delphians, Cobon son of Aristophantus, and Cobon persuaded the priestess, Periallus, to say what Cleomenes wanted her to.

When the ambassadors asked if Demaratus was the son of Ariston, the Pythia gave judgment that he was not. All this came to light later; Cobon was exiled from Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi, and Periallus was deposed from her position.

So it was concerning Demaratus' loss of the kingship, and from Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta he went into exile among the Medes because of the following reproach: after he was deposed from the kingship, he was elected to office.