then having been referred by the arrangement of
Cleomenes to the Pythian prophetess, thereupon Cleomenes gained over to
his side Cobon the son of Aristophantos, who had most power among the
Delphians, and Cobin persuaded Perialla the prophetess of the Oracle
53 to say that which Cleomenes desired to have said. Thus the Pythian
prophetess, when those who were sent to consult the god asked her their
question, gave decision that Demaratos was not the son of Ariston.
Afterwards however these things became known, and both Cobon went into
exile from Delphi and Perialla the prophetess of the Oracle was removed
from her office.

67. With regard to the deposing of Demaratos from the kingdom it
happened thus: but Demaratos became an exile from Sparta to the Medes
on account of a reproach which here follows:--After he had been deposed
from the kingdom Demaratos was holding a public office to which he had
been elected. Now it was the time of the Gymnopaidiai; and as Demaratos
was a spectator of them, Leotychides, who had now become king himself
instead of Demaratos, sent his attendant and asked Demaratos in mockery
and insult what kind of a thing it was to be a magistrate after having
been king; and he vexed at the question made answer and said that he
himself had now had experience of both, but Leotychides had not; this
question however, he said, would be the beginning either of countless
evil or countless good fortune for the Lacedemonians. Having thus said,
he veiled his head and went forth out of the theatre to his own house;
and forthwith he made preparations and sacrificed an ox to Zeus, and
after having sacrificed he called his mother..

68. Then when his mother had come, he put into her hands some of the
inner parts 54 of the victim, and besought her, saying as follows:
"Mother, I beseech thee, appealing to the other gods and above all to
this Zeus the guardian of the household, 55 to tell me the truth, who is
really and truly my father. For Leotychides spoke in his contention
with me, saying that thou didst come to Ariston with child by thy former
husband; and others besides, reporting that which is doubtless an idle
tale, 56 say that thou didst go in to one of the servants, namely the
keeper of the asses, and that I am his son. I therefore entreat thee by
the gods to tell me the truth; for if thou hast done any of these things
which are reported, thou hast not done them alone, but with many other
women; and the report i