Plutarch's Lives, Volume 4 (of 4)

part in politics, and cared for nothing but their own pleasure and

profit, while the miserable condition of the poor caused them to fight without spirit in the wars, and to neglect the proper training of their children. He himself was a king only in name, as the Ephors had engrossed all real power. Under these circumstances he at once began to revolve schemes of reform in his mind, ...