2. Daughter of Leonidas II., king of Sparta, and wife to Cleombrotus II. When Leonidas,
alarmed at the prosecution instituted against him by Lysander [AGIS
IV.], took refuge in the temple of Athena Chalcioecus, Cheilonis left her husband, who was
made king on the deposition of Leonidas, and, preferring to comfort her father in his
adversity, accompanied him in his flight to Tegea. Afterwards, when Leonidas was restored, and
Cleombrotus in his turn was driven to take refuge in the temple of Poseidon, Cheilonis joined
him in his altered fortunes, saved his life by her entreaties from her father's vengeance,
and, again refusing to share the splendour of a throne, went with him into banishment; " so
that, had not Cleombrotus," says Plutarch, " been spoilt by vain ambition, his wife's love
would have made him deem his exile a more blessed lot than the kingdom which he lost." (