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Demaratus, having learnt all that he wished to know, took with him
provision for the journey, and went into Elis, pretending that he
purposed to proceed to Delphi, and there consult the oracle. The
Lacedaemonians, however, suspecting that he meant to fly his
country, sent men in pursuit of him; but Demaratus hastened, and
leaving Elis before they arrived, sailed across to Zacynthus. The
Lacedaemonians followed, and sought to lay hands upon him, and to
separate him from his retinue; but the Zacynthians would not give him
up to them: so he escaping, made his way afterwards by sea to Asia,
and presented himself before King Darius, who received him
generously, and gave him both lands and cities. Such was the chance
which drove Demaratus to Asia, a man distinguished among the
Lacedaemonians for many noble deeds and wise counsels, and who alone
of all the Spartan kings brought honour to his country by winning at
Olympia the prize in the four-horse chariot-race.
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