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Such were the means whereby the deposition of Demaratus was brought
about; but his flying from Sparta to the Medes was by reason of an
affront which was put upon him. On losing his kingdom he had been made
a magistrate; and in that office soon afterwards, when the feast of
the Gymnopaediae came around, he took his station among the
lookers-on; whereupon Leotychides, who was now king in his room,
sent a servant to him and asked him, by way of insult and mockery,
"how it felt to be a magistrate after one had been a king?"
Demaratus, who was hurt at the question, made answer - "Tell him
I have tried them both, but he has not. Howbeit this speech will be
the cause to Sparta of infinite blessings or else of infinite woes."
Having thus spoken he wrapped his head in his robe, and, leaving the
theatre, went home to his own house, where he prepared an ox for
sacrifice, and offered it to Jupiter, after which he called for his mother.
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