Histories

The Lacedaemonians of that day planned to follow their custom and make the eldest of the children king. But the children were identical in all respects, so the Lacedaemonians did not know which to choose; when they could not judge between them, or perhaps even before this, they asked the mother.

She said she knew no better than the Lacedaemonians which was the elder; she knew perfectly well, but she said this because she desired that by some means both might be made kings. The Lacedaemonians were at a loss, so they sent to Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi to inquire how they should deal with the matter.

The priestess bade them make both children kings but give greater honor to the elder. When the priestess gave this response, the Lacedaemonians knew no better than before how to discover the elder child, and a man of +Nomos Messinias [21.833,37.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Messenia, whose name was Panites, gave them advice: