Ask the Milesians how long they would remain quiet if they heard that their oppressors had been defeated in any battle ?" Theopompus, the Milesian merchant, called out, laughing at the same time: "If the Persians were to be worsted in one war, they would at once be involved in a hundred others, and we should not be the last to rise up against our tyrants in the hour of their weakness!" "Whatever the intentions of the envoys may be," continued Kallias, "my information remains unaltered; they will be here at the latest in three days." "And so your oracle will be fulfilled, fortunate Aristomachus!" exclaimed Rhodopis, "for see, the warrior hosts can only be the Persians.

When they descend to the shores of the Nile, then the powerful Five,' your Ephori, will change their decision, and you, the father of two Olympian victors, will be recalled to your native land.
[The five Ephori of Sparta were appointed to represent the absent kings during the Messenian war.

In later days the nobles made use of the Ephori as a power, which, springing immediately from their own body, they could oppose to the kingly authority.

Being the highest magistrates in all judicial and educational matters, and in everything relating to the moral police of the country, the Ephori soon found means to assert their superiority, and on most occasions over that of the kings themselves.

Every patrician who was past the age of thirty, had the right to become a candidate yearly for the office.Aristot.Potit, II.