Histories

The Argives say this was the reason Cleomenes went mad and met an evil end; the Spartans themselves say that Cleomenes' madness arose from no divine agent, but that by consorting with Scythians he became a drinker of strong wine, and the madness came from this.

The nomadic Scythians, after Darius had invaded their land, were eager for revenge, so they sent to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta and made an alliance. They agreed that the Scythians would attempt to invade Media by way of the river +Poti [41.683,42.183] (inhabited place), regions under republican jurisdiction, Georgia, Asia Phasis, and they urged the Spartans to set out and march inland from +Ephesus [27.316,37.916] (deserted settlement), Izmir Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, Asia Ephesus and meet the Scythians.