Histories

After reasoning this out, he went back to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta and told the Lacedaemonians everything. They made a pretence of bringing a charge against him and banishing him. Coming to Tegea [22.4,37.5] (Perseus) Tegea, he explained his misfortune to the smith and tried to rent the courtyard, but the smith did not want to lease it.

Finally he persuaded him and set up residence there. He dug up the grave and collected the bones, then hurried off to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta with them. Ever since then the Spartans were far superior to the Tegeans whenever they met each other in battle. By the time of Croesus' inquiry, the Spartans had subdued most of the Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, EuropePeloponnese.

Croesus, then, aware of all this, sent messengers to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta with gifts to ask for an alliance, having instructed them what to say. They came and said: