The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-09-04
Noble W omen.
Contemporary Review

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The student of history of woman is con-
tinualIy reminded OF the fact that when
men lose their dignity and emineuce, wo-
man disappears from the scene, but when
they rise into worth, she again comes on
the stage in all her power ana tenderness.
we have an instance before us. Sparta be-
came degenerate. Her name almost van
Shc, from the pages of the historian. But
she was not to die without a final struggle.
iu the middle of the third century before
Christ two Kings of Sparta in succession
dreaWt of putting down the luxury and re-
storing the old Spartan discipline and the
Old Lycurgan laws. And in the midst of
their vigorous and heroic efforts to effect
this great change women again play their
part with energy and devotion. The earli-
est Of the two Kings, was the young and
gentle Agis, and almost the hrst person
whom he consulted on his projected re-
forms was his mother Ageistrata, woman
of great wealth aud influence. She was at
first utterly taken ahack, tor the project IN
cluled the surrender of all her wealth.
But at length she admired her sons noble
ambition and set her mind, with the ana OF
some other like m lnded women, on prOcur-
iuv the support of the women of Sparta.
The importance of such support could not
be Overestimated. "They well knew says
Plutarch, that the Laced8monian men
we're always obedient To their wives, and
thar they allowed them to meddle in public
matters more than they allowed themselves
to m eddie i'm private affairs" Besides, the
women had great deal OF property
Would they surrender their wealth
Would they give up their luxurious habits
Would they return TO the old Spartan sim
piicity2 No. the mOvem ent seemed TO nave
come too late. Some were willing to sacrl-
hce everything, but others would yleld
nothing, and a strong party was formed
against Agis. At first this party was put
down with high hand. Leonidas, the
leader, was driven into exile. The daugh-
ter of this man, Chelonis, is one OF the
great characters that emerged during these
froublouS times She had been married TO
CIeombrotus. who took the side of Agis
Chelouis was in straits what to DO, put she
chose TO follow the path where gentleness
aud tenderness were required. She Ieil heF
husband and tended her father in distress
relieving his wants, soothing his troubles,
and supplicatiHg the victorious party IN his
behalf AT length the wheel of fortune
turned round. Leondale became master OF
the situation. Agis and Cleombrotus were
in his hands. CheloniS at once Ned frem
her father and took her place beside her
husband. In the wretched robes which she
had worn when pleading for her father, she
pleaded for her husband After much en-
treaty she prevailed, and the life OF her nus
oand was spared, but he was condemned 10
exile. Chelonis had again to make her
choice. Her father urged her to stay with
him, reminding her of the kindness ne
showed her in sparing her huSo3nd, an9
promising every comfort. But CnelonlS dld
not hesitate. As CleombrOt1s rose 10 so,
she gave him one of her children, and, tax
ing the other in her arms and kissing the
altar of the goddess, she walked out with
him to degradation and poverty. Justly
does Plutarch add the remark that II Gle
OmOrotus had not been entirely corrupted
by vain glory, he would have deemed exile
with such a woman a greater blessing than
any kingdom. The fate of pure tnoeo
Agis was worse than that of Gloom orotus.
No mercy was shown TO him and ne was
put TO death by stranguistion. His mother,
Ageistrain. wanted to hear what was 10 De
come of him. The officer, who knew that
Agis was dead, delusiyely told her that no
violence would be done him. She wished
20 see him and take her cid mother with
her. Permission was granted. Inc Two
women entered the prison. The doors were
shut. The grandmother was requested GO
go into the chamber where Agls was. Sne
went in and was stFangled Ihen AGES
trata entered. and saw her son lying on the
ground and her mother hanging Oy rope.
She calmly helped TO take the body Gown.
and, stretching her alongside Of Agls, iaio
Doth the bodies out and covered them ano
falling upon her son and kissing him she
SAID, 20, my son, it is your genEieness Anu
goodness that have ruined you. Ill tnat u
II your opinion SAID the officer, you nae
better 90 the same way. She bravery nela
out her neck and said May this turn OIL
for the good 81 SPARTA. And thus was
stamped OFT The HFst EFFORT loE tie retok.
n @ation of SPARTA