The ancient Spartans were famous for their loyalty to Sparta and their military courage. Despite these qualities, Sparta fell into decline by the 3rd c. B.C. In an effort to restore Spartan power, King Cleomenes sought an alliance with King Ptolemy of Egypt against King Antigonus of Macedonia. As his price, Ptolemy demanded that Cleomenes' mother, Cratesicleia, and children be handed over as hostages. According to the account by Plutarch, Cratesicleia boldly and bravely accepted this price. Despite her efforts, Cleomenes was defeated in 222 B.C., and fled to Egypt, where he was soon dispatched in a plot. The treacherous Ptolemy immediately ordered the execution of Cratesicleia, who was forced to watch her grandchildren killed before her. In his account, Plutarch emphasizes the virtue and bravery of this woman, and contrasts it with the barbarity of Ptolemy.

1. The account of the sacrifice of Cratesicleia comes from Plutarch's Lives, which narrate the deeds of great individuals from ancient history. Read Plutarch's life of Cleomenes, including the account of Cratesicleia, at
   http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/cleomene.html
2. Review the political geography of Greece and the Aegean area by studying the map at
   http://www.barca.fsnet.co.uk/greece.htm
3. To pursue an interest in the history of Sparta, visit the following website, which has links to bibliographies, translated primary sources, and other items:
   http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/sparta.html
4. The modern Greek Ministry of Culture provides a fascinating interactive map of Sparta at
   http://www.culture.gr/maps/pelop/lakonia/lakonia.html
5. A wealth of information on and links to the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt, including maps, brief biographies, and numismatic images, is available at
   http://www.houseofptolemy.org/