Agesilaus, Pompey and The Comparison of Pompey with Agesilaus Summary and Analysis

Agesilaus was the younger son of Archidamus, King of the Lacedaemonians. His older brother, Agis, was the rightful heir to Archidamus' rule and was educated with that in view, while Agesilaus received a common Spartan education that emphasized obedience to the law. He was a small man with a bad leg, Plutarch writes, but put others at ease by joking about his limp.

Agis became king, married and had an heir of his own. Rumors arose, however, that his son Leotychides was illegitimate. When Agis died, the issue was pressed by Lysander, a Spartan general who saw a chance to place Agesilaus in the throne. A supporter of Leotychides countered that an ancient oracle warned against the coming of a "halting," or limping king. Lysander...