Agis and Cleomenes Summary and Analysis

Plutarch frequently uses the method of comparison to make observations about the characteristics of great men and in the introduction to the life of Agis, he presents his intention to compare the two Spartan kings Agis and Cleomenes to the brothers Tiberius and Caius Gracchus. All four were true leaders who attempted to influence and lead people to adopt reform rather than those who are usually called leaders, but are actually slaves to the popular will, Plutarch says. All four also met with violent deaths as a result of their leadership.

Agis was a king of Sparta several generations removed from Agesilaus. He came to power at a time when Sparta had abandoned its austere ways and adopted the more luxurious habits of the Greeks. Agis, who shared the Spartan throne with a king from another family...