Apophthegmata Laconica

The younger Agis, when Demades said that the jugglers who swallow swords use the Spartan swords because of their shortness, retorted, But all the same the Spartans reach their enemies with their swords. [*](Cf. the note on 191 E (1).)

In answer to a base man who asked repeatedly who was the best Spartan, he said, The one most unlike you. [*](Cf. the note on 190 D (4).)

Agis, the last of the kings of Sparta, was arrested as the result of treachery and condemned by the Ephors without a trial. As he was being led away to the halter he saw one of the officers weeping, and said, Stop your weeping for me, man. For in spite of my being put to death in such defiance of law and justice, I am superior to those who are taking my life. With these words he willingly offered his neck for the noose. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Agis, chaps. xix.-xx. (p. 803 C).)