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56.

These privileges the Spartans have given to their kings: two priesthoods, of Zeus called Lacedaemon1 and of Zeus of Heaven; they wage war against whatever land they wish, and no Spartan can hinder them in this on peril of being put under a curse; when the armies go forth the kings go out first and return last; one hundred chosen men guard them in their campaigns; they sacrifice as many sheep and goats as they wish at the start of their expeditions, and take the hides and backs of all sacrificed beasts.

1 Here, as often the cult of an “Olympian” deity is identified with an earlier local worship; cp. Zeus Amphiaraus, Zeus Agamemnon.

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