Instituta Laconia

Plutarch

Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. III. Babbitt, Frank Cole, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1931 (printing).

Archilochus the poet, when he arrived in Sparta, they ordered to depart that very instant because they learned that he had written in his verses that it is better to throw away one’s arms than to be killed[*](For the numerous references to the action of Archilochus see Bergk, Poet. Lyr. Graec. ii. p. 384, Archilochus, no. 6, or better Diehl, Anthologia Lyrica Graeca, i. p. 213. Cf. also Horace, Odes, ii. 7. 10, and Valerius Maximus, vi. 3, ext. 1.):

  1. Shield that was mine, fair armour, now gladdens the heart of some Saian; Sorry I left it behind tangled in brush in my path;
  2. But for myself I escaped from the clutches of Death. Let perdition
  3. Take the old shield, for no worse surely I’ll get the next time.

The temples and religious services were open to maidens and youths alike.

The Ephors fined Sciraphidas because he was wronged by many.