Book 6
79.1
Then Cleomenes' plan was this: He had with him some deserters from whom he learned the names, then he sent a herald calling by name the Argives that were shut up in the sacred precinct and inviting them to come out, saying that he had their ransom. (Among the Peloponnesians there is a fixed ransom of two minae to be paid for every prisoner.) So Cleomenes invited about fifty Argives to come out one after another and murdered them.
79.2
Somehow the rest of the men in the temple precinct did not know this was happening, for the grove was thick and those inside could not see how those outside were faring, until one of them climbed a tree and saw what was being done. Thereafter they would not come out at the herald's call.
80.1
Then Cleomenes bade all the helots pile wood about the grove; they obeyed, and he burnt the grove. When the fire was now burning, he asked of one of the deserters to what god the grove belonged; the man said it was of Argos [22.7333,37.6417] (Perseus) Argos. When he heard that, he groaned aloud, “Apollo, god of oracles, you have gravely deceived me by saying that I would take Argos [22.7333,37.6417] (Perseus) Argos; this, I guess, is the fulfillment of that prophecy.”
81.1
Then Cleomenes sent most of his army back to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, while he himself took a thousand of the best warriors and went to the temple of Hera About four miles N.E. of Argos [22.7333,37.6417] (Perseus) Argos. to sacrifice. When he wished to sacrifice at the altar the priest forbade him, saying that it was not holy for a stranger to sacrifice there. Cleomenes ordered the helots to carry the priest away from the altar and whip him, and he performed the sacrifice. After doing this, he returned to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta.
