A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Chelonis
CHELONIS, Daughter of Leonidas, and Wife of Cleombrotus, both Kings of Lacedemon.
By means of a faction, the former was obliged to take sanctuary in a temple, and the latter raised to the throne. Chelonis, far from sharing in her husband's good fortune, retired into the same temple with her father, and dwelt there with him in mortification and penance. Afterwards he was permitted to retire to Tagea, whither Chelonis also accompanied him. Cleombrotus, in his turn, being dethroned, Leonidas was restored to his kingdom; but Chelonis, no longer sensible of her husband's fault, determined to share his misfortune with him, though she had no share in his prosperity.
Leonidas, with an armed force, went to the place where his son-in-law was sheltered, and, in the most passionate manner, upbraided him with the injuries he had received. Cleombrotus had nothing to anwser; but his wife spoke for him, protesting at the same time, she would die with him, if her prayers and tears proved unsuccessful to save his life, and obtain leave for him to retire where he chose. Upon this, Leonidas granted him his life and liberty, and most affectionately besought her to continue with him; but, putting one of her children into her husband's arms, whilst she held the other, she went to pray at the altar, and immediately after, accompanied her husband to the place of his banishment.