Pireus and blockt them up but the latter forcing their passage took four of the Athenians The Athenians made a Descent near Panormus in the Countrey of the Milesians where they had a Fight in which Chalcideus was slain This Action rendred Alcibiades suspected to the Lacedemonians so that they sent Astyochus private Orders to dispatch him But he made his escape to Tissaphernes and there did the Peloponnesians all the ill Offices he possibly could perswading him to retrench the Sea-men's pay and put off those that came to demand Money with this Answer That they had no reason to expect any from Tissaphernes because what he did was for their preservation and that they might as well maintain themselves now as they had done before whilst they sided with the Athenians He advised him also to spin out the War and let neither side grow too powerful lest one got the Command of all whereby the King his Master would want some body to keep the Conquerors under This Alcibiades did to procure himself to be recalled from Banishment knowing the favour and respect he had from Tissaphernes would much promote it When some came from Samos to have a Conference with him he told them if he was recalled he would procure them an Alliance with the King of Persia Provided also they would reform the Government and put it into the hands of the Nobles and such as the King could trust because the Democracy was administred by ill men Phrynichus opposed the recalling Alcibiades fearing if he returned that he would be his Enemy and sent to Astyochus the Lacedemonian General that Alcibiades was treating with Tissaphernes to bring him over to the Athenian Interest These Letters were conveyed to Alcibiades which being returned to Samos brought Phrynichus into extreme danger But he to prevent it dispatched other Letters to Astyochus informing him that he himself would betray the whole Army to him discovering how it might be surprized and that Samos was not walled Astyochus sent Alcibiades these Letters likewise which Phrynichus understanding resolv'd to prevent this danger too and acquainted the Army that he was assured the Lacedemonians would attack them and therefore he would have them fortifie Samos with all Expedition These Letters came afterwards to the Camp but Phrynichus so wrought with the Army that no credit was given to Alcibiades supposing he had only guessed at things by foresight At length there came Deputies from the Samians and informed the Athenians how great an Ascendant Alcibiades had over Tissaphernes and that if he was recalled he was capable of doing them Service whereupon Pisander prevailed that himself and ten more should be sent to treat with Tissaphernes Xxi Year of the War. Theopompus Archon and Alcibiades Pisander returned to Athens where he and Theramenes the Son of Agnon changed the Democracy into a Government of 400 men Thrasybulus proposing to the Army at Samos that Alcibiades should be recalled they both restored and gave him his pardon Whereupon he went and conducted him to Samos and soon after his arrival he was chosen General He being advanced to this new Preferment went to show himself to Tissaphernes and to let him know that he was now in a condition either to serve or incommodate him After Alcibiades returned home the Peloponnesians began to suspect Tissaphernes and talk hard of him About that time a Mutiny hapned in the Lacedemonian Army proceeding to such a degree that the Soldiers had like to have killed Astyochus their General Soon after Mindarus succeeded Astyochus in his Command Hegesandridas came about that time from Megara with the Peloponnesian Fleet intending to make some attempt upon the Athenians whilst they were in Tumult and Confusion The Athenians fearing he would fall upon Euboea on which they chiefly depended sent out Thymochares with a Fleet who was betrayed by the Eretrians and beaten upon which the loss of Euboea followed When they heard this they set out another Fleet and deposing the 400 chose 5000 into the Government After this change the Athenians came to themselves and put things into order Pisander and all the 400 retired to Decelea except Aristarchus who went to Oenoe and betrayed it to the Boeotians Towards the end of Summer Thrasylus and Thrasybulus the Athenian Admirals engaged with Mindarus and overcame him which was welcome News to them at Athens who before dreaded the Peloponnesians and never expected such good Success again XENOPHON'S History OF THE Affairs of Greece LIB I. THE CONTENTS A Fight between the Lacedemonians and Athenians in which Mindarus the Lacedemonian Admiral is slain Hermocrates and the Syracusian Admirals are banished by the People Alcibiades returns from Exile and is made Generalissimo He leaves his Fleet under the Command of Antiochus his Captain who in his Absence engages with Lysander and is beaten which ruined Alcibiades The great Sea-fight near Arginusae wherein the Lacedemonians were vanquished and Callicratidas their Admiral slain The Athenian Admirals are tried for not taking up their men in the Fight unjustly condemned and put to death NOT many Days after this Thymochares coming with a small Fleet from Athens forthwith the Lacedemonians and Athenians had another Engagement wherein the former commanded by Hegesandridas obtained the Victory A little while after in the beginning of Winter Dorieus the Son of Diagoras came up the Hellespont by break of day with fourteen Sail from Rhodes which when the Athenian day-scout discovered he made his Sign to the Admirals and they bore up to him with twenty Sail upon that Dorieus fled and having * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to come out of a Haven or streight into Sea-room Virgil uses aperitur for a Sea-term Aen. 111. v. 275. doubled Cape Rhoeteum haled up his Gallies ashore When the Athenians came up close to him he fought them both from on board his Ships and from the Shore till they not having effected any thing stood off to the rest of their Fleet at Madytus Mindarus seeing the Fight as he was sacrificing at Ilium to Minerva ran with great diligence to the Sea-shore and launching his Gallies set sail to joyn Dorieus The Athenians bore up with him near Abydus and engaged him by the Shore from Morning till Night Whilst the Fight continued dubious Alcibiades came in with eighteen Sail upon which the Peloponnesians fled to Abydus whither Pharnabazus came to their Assistance and entring the Sea on Horseback as far as he was able fought and encouraged his Horse and Foot to do the like The Peloponnesians joyned their Ships together and drawing up in a Body fought from off the Shore At last the Athenians departed with thirty empty Ships they had taken from the Enemy and those of their own they had formerly lost and carried them to Sestos From thence all but forty sailed for several Parts without the Hellespont to collect Tribute and Thrasylus one of the Athenians went to Athens to carry the News and to demand Supplies of Men and
understood not how to honour them that augment my Glory Lysander replied Perhaps your Majesty is in the right and has discharged your part better than I Yet my request is that I mayn't be disgraced by the loss of my Interest with you and being I am so unpleasing an Object in your sight that you would send me some whither where I may be serviceable to you Upon this Agesilaus was pleased to hearken to him and sent him to the Hellespont where finding that Spithridates a Persian was in disgrace with Pharnabazus he discoursed and perswaded him with his Children and the Estate he had together with two hundred Horse to come over to the Lacedemonians So leaving the rest behind at Cyzicus he brought Spithridates and his Son to Agesilaus who when he understood it was well pleased therewith and presently inquired of him about Pharnabazus his Province and Government After that Tissaphernes elated with the Opinion of the Army that was coming down to him from the King threatned Agesilaus to declare War against him unless he withdrew his Forces out of Asia The Lacedemonians and Confederates who were there present appeared very much concerned at it imagining the Forces Agesilaus had then with him were much inferiour to the preparations of the King of Persia but Agesilaus with a pleasant Countenance bid the Ambassadors tell Tissaphernes that he was very much obliged to him because by his Perjury he had made the Gods Enemies to himself and Friends to the Greeks Immediately he commanded his men to prepare for an Expedition ordering the Towns that he was obliged to pass through in his march to Caria to lay in Provisions and sent Orders to the Ionians Aeolians and those who lived upon the Hellespont to send their Forces to the Rendevous at Ephesus Tissaphernes partly because Agesilaus wanted Cavalry and partly because Caria was impassable for Horse supposing also he was provoked by his Fraud concluded for certain he would fall into Caria the Place of his Residence Whereupon he drew all his Foot thither and marcht about with his Horse into the Plains of Maeander imagining he could trample the Greeks under foot with his Cavalry before they reached those Countries that were impassable for Horse But Agesilaus instead of going into Caria turned a clear contrary way marching into Phrygia and falling unexpectedly upon them took the Towns which were in his way together with a very great Spoyl All this while his march was without any opposition but when he came near Dascyllium the Vant-Curriers ascended up an Hill to see if they could discover any thing before them when by chance a like number of Pharnabazus his Horse sent by him under the Command of Rathines and Bancaeus his Bastard Brother marcht up the same Hill and discovering one another at four hundred foot distance from each other Plethrum is the sixth part of a Furlong Herod or an hundred foot Suid. at first they halted The Greeks were drawn up four deep like a Phalanx the Barbarians not above twelve in Front though a great many deep These gave the Onset and when they came to handy-blows as many of them as hit the Enemy broke their Lances but the Persians having theirs made of Cornel Tree killed instantly twelve men and two Horses So the Greeks were routed though when Agesilaus came to relieve them with his Heavy-armed men the Barbarians lost one man and retreated The next day after the Fight between the Horse Agesilaus sacrificed to see whether he might advance farther up into their Countrey The Liver is dumpt together and all of a mass in diseased Cattle which was an ill Omen in sacrificing but the Liver wanted Lobes upon sight of which he turned back and marched down to the Sea-coast and finding he could not maintain his Ground in the Champion Countrey without he had a sufficient Body of Horse he resolved to make such Provision that he might not be obliged to he always upon the defensive side Therefore he ordered that the wealthiest men in all the adjacent Cities should keep Horses and declared whoever furnisht out Horse and Arms with an approved man should be excused from serving himself which was effected with that Expedition as if one willingly went to search out another to be knockt on the head for him In the beginning of Spring 96 Olymp. Phormio Archon he assembled all his Forces at Ephesus intending to exercise them and proposed Rewards to those Ranks of the Heavy-armed men that had the ablest Bodies and to the Cavalry that rode the great Horse best proposing also Rewards to those Targetiers and Archers that performed their Duty exceeding well Upon this one might see all the Schools full of men exercising the Tilt-yards of Horse-men running the Darters and Archers training which made Ephesus where those things were done a Place worth the seeing the Market was full of Horses and Arms exposed to sale the Brasiers Carpenters Smiths Shomakers and Painters were all employed about making of Arms so that the City seemed to be the Shop of War. This added courage to every one when they saw Agesilaus and the Soldiers return from the Schools with their Garlands and dedicate them to Minerva For why may not there be entertained great Hopes of good Success were men are Religious Martial and Loyal Agesilaus thinking the Contempt of an Enemy would beget a resolution to fight commanded the Cryers to bring out those Barbarians naked to sale that were taken by the Foragers the Soldiers seeing them have white skins because they seldom exposed their Bodies naked being effeminate and tender and always coacht about thought a War with such People would be no more than if they were to fight with a Company of Women At this time a year being almost elapsed since Agesilaus first began his expedition The XXX Commissioners whereof Lysander was one sailed home again and Herippidas with the rest of the Successors arrived Agesilaus appointed Xenocles and another of their Body to be Generals of Horse giving Scythes the Command of the Heavy-armed Half-Slaves Herippidas he made General of those Soldiers that served under Cyrus and Mygdo of the Troops furnisht out by the Cities declaring to them that he would march directly and take his shortest cut into the heart of the Enemies Countrey That therefore they should prepare their Bodies and resolve to fight Tissaphernes thinking he spread this report designing to deceive him again and that now he would in good earnest fall into Caria passed with his Foot thither as he had done before and posted his Horse in the Plains of Meander Agesilaus did not deceive him and according as he had given out he fell into the Neighbourhood of Sardes and marching three day through the deserted Countrey of the Enemies got store of Provisions for his Army The fourth day the Enemies Horse appearing Agesilaus commanded the Camp-Master General to pass the Pactolus and mark out a Camp. Then the Persians observing some of
a Messenger Crowned with a Garland to Athens to relate the greatness of the Victory and to desire that they would joyn with them against the Lacedemonians declaring they might now revenge themselves on them for all their former Injuries At that time the Senate was sitting in the Citadel but when they heard the News any one might see that they were extreamly troubled at it for they neither sent the Herald any Presents nor made any mention of Assistance and so he departed from thence The Thebans sent also an Express to Jason their Ally desiring him to send them Succours considering with themselves what was likely to be the issue of these things He immediately set out a Fleet pretending to assist them by Sea and taking the Mercenaries with his own Guards though the Phoceans had made War upon him without declaring yet he passed by Land into Baeotia appearing in several places sooner than there was any News of his March proceeding a great way in his Voyage before all his Forces could be assembled shewing thereby That things of great Importance are effected easier by Diligence than Force When he arrived in Baeotia the Thebans signified to him that they had then an opportunity of falling upon the Lacedemonians and that whilst he attacked them with his Mercenaries from an Eminence they would set upon them in the Front. But he diverted them from this their Design advising them not to aim still at greater things since they had performed so brave an Exploit already lest they should be deprived of the advantage of the Victory they had lately obtain'd Don't you know says he that when you were reduced to extremities you then became victorious and therefore you should consider that if the Lacedemonians be once made weary of their lives they too will grow desperate and fight it out to the last man. God also is sometimes pleased to humble the Mighty and exalt the Mean. With these Words he disswaded the Thebans from putting all to the hazard On the other hand he shewed the Lacedemonians the difference between a routed and Vctorious Army but if you says he would have this Defeat forgotten I advise you to be quiet till you have recovered and raised a greater Power and then set upon the Thebans who are now invincible You understand says he that there are at this time some of your Confederates who discourse of treating with the Enemy therefore do you endeavour by all means to make a Truce which I the more desire out of a Design to preserve you both in respect of the Alliance between my Father and you and for that I my self am your Publick Host This he spoke though perhaps rather with intention to divide them that so both might stand in need of his assistance The Lacedemonians hearing him say so desired him to negotiate a Truce and when News came that it was concluded the Generals commanded all to prepare themselves and after they had supped to decamp in the Night that by break of Day they might be marching up Cithaeron When they had supped the Generals commanded them to march before they slept and immediately when it was dark they took the way of Creusis chusing rather to pass undiscovered than rely upon the Truce But they marcht on very heavily for being it was Night they departed in fear and the way was bad and came to Aegosthena in the Territory of Megara There they met Archidamus's Army who stayed till all the Confederates were come up and then marched with his Forces as far as Corinth where he dismist the Auxiliaries and marcht with the Spartans home Jason returning through Phocis took the Suburbs of Hyampolis destroyed the Countrey and killed a great many but passed through the rest thereof without any Action at all When he came to Heraclea he took the Town not that he feared any would fall into his Countrey though that Pass were open but considered rather if any should possess themselves of Heraclea which stood in a strait place they might keep him out if he should entertain a Design of invading Greece After he returned back into Thessaly be became a very great man both because he was made General by a Law of the Thessalians and for that he maintained a great many Mercenaries both Foot and Horse that were experienced men and excellent Soldiers being yet greater by reason of the strong Alliance he had already because still more desired it but the greatest of all the men in his time for that no one Enemy was a Match for him When the Pythian Games drew near he gave out an Order amongst the Cities to feed Oxen Sheep Goats and Hogs and to provide them for the Sacrifice 'T is said that he taxed every City tho' moderately no less than one thousand Oxen ten thousand other Cattle proclaiming a Crown of Gold for a Prize to that City which fed the fattest Ox for the Sacrifice of Apollo and sent Orders to the Thessalians to prepare themselves for the Campagn against the Pythian Games having thoughts as the report went to be President himself of the Solemnity and Prizes But what he thought to do with the Sacred Money is not yet known for it being reported that when the Delphians consulted what they should do if Jason offered to seize it the God answered that he could take care of that himself This man that was so great and entertained such vast Designs whilst he was mustering and exercising the Pheraean Horse being sat down and giving an answer to some that had business with him was killed and cut in pieces by seven young men that came to him pretending some Differences among themselves the Guards came briskly to his Assistance and one of the Ruffians being yet stabbing him was wounded with a Lance and killed another mounting his Horse was left behind and after he had received several Wounds died also the rest got upon Horses they had laid and escaped being honourably received in the Greek Towns wheresoever they came By which 't is apparent the Greeks were in great fear lest he should have played the Tyrant with them After his Death Polydorus and Polyphron Brothers were made Generalissimo's but in their Journey to Larissa Polydorus whilst he was sleeping in the Night was killed by his Brother Polyphron as 't is thought for his Death was suddain and without any apparent Causes Polyphron governed one Year converting his Generalship into a Tyranny putting Polydamus and eight more of the Principal Citizens to death at Pharsalus and banished seveal out of Larissa Soon after this he was killed himself by Alexander who revenged Polydorus's death and put an end to that Tyranny This Alexander taking upon him the Administration of Government became troublesome both to the Thessalians and Thebans an Enemy to the Athenians a Rogue at Land and a Pirate at Sea. He having plaid such pranks was murdered by the instigation of his Wife and assistance of her Brothers she having told them that
fortified Tricranum beyond the Temple of Juno in the Territory of Phlius and the Sicyonians Thyamia in their Frontiers whereby the Phliasians were distressed and wanted Necessaries yet they still persisted in their League with the Lacedemonians Now whereas all Writers take notice of what great Cities do I think the many and glorious Actions of this small one are as worthy observation When the Lacedemonians were at the greatest height the Phliasians were their Allies and though they were overthrown in the Battel of Leuctra several of their Country-men revolting the Slaves falling off most of the Confederates deserting and in a manner all Greece making War upon them yet the Phliasians continued faithful And though they were engaged in a War with the Argives and Arcadians the most Potent of the Peloponesians nevertheless they assisted them and though it fell to their lot to come the last of all the * Corinthians Epidaurians Traezenians Hermioneans Halienians Sicyonians and Pellenians Confederates to Prasiae yet they never forsook the Lacedemonians Nay when the General of the Mercenaries left them and departed with those who marched on before they would not turn back again but the Enemy being at Amyclae procured a Commander at Prasiae and got as well as they could to Sparta for which the Lacedemonians amongst other honours they did them made them a Present of an Ox for a welcom After the Enemy retired out of Laconia the Argives being offended at the Phliasians for their good Service to the Lacedemonians fell into the Territory of Phlius with all their Forces and ravaged the Country yet for all that the Phliasians would not desist But when the Argives destroyed all before them the Phliasian horse being but 60 came upon them and following them close attacked and defeated their Horse with the Companies that were placed in the Rear to secure their Retreat And though they killed but a few yet they erected a Trophy in view of the Argives and more they could not have done had they slain them all Again when the Lacedemonians and their Confederates kept Oneum the Thebans came with intent to pass it and as the Eleans and Arcadians were marching through Nemea to joyn them the Phliasian Exiles came and brought News that if they would but appear before Phlius they might take it When this was agreed on the Exiles and about six hundred others came by Night and lay with their Ladders under the Wall then the Watchmen discoveing the Approach of the Enemy from the Tricranum the Townsmen took the Alarm In the mean while those who were to betray the place made a sign to them that lay under the Wall to mount their Ladders which they did and seized the Arms that the Guards had left and fell upon the Warders who were ten in number for one out of every 5 was appointed to ward one whereof they killed as he lay asleep and another as he fled to the Temple of Juno The rest seeing this leaped confusedly off the Walls into the City and the Assailants made themselves Masters of the Citadel without any opposition Upon the noise that was made the Citizens came with Relief and then the Enemy at first went out of the Citadel and fought before the Gates that lead to the City but afterwards being encompassed by the Citizens they retired back again to the Citadel and the Heavy-arm'd men falling upon them immediately cleared the middle of the place The Enemy remounting the Walls darted their Javelins and galled those below but they on the ground defended themselves and fought at the foot of the Ladders Afterwards the Townsmen recovering several of the Turrets had a very hot Engagement with the Enemy who being pressed hard with the Courage and Valour of the Citizens were penn'd up in a little room In the mean while the Arcadians and Argives invested the City and threw down the highest part of the Citadel Wall. Some of the Townsmen who were in the Tower darted at the Enemy upon the Wall others at those who were scaling without and the rest at those who were possest of the Turrets and getting Fire out of the Huts carried Wisps of Hay that was cut in the Citadel and set fire to the Enemy in the Turrets Whereupon some of them leapt down for fear and those on the Walls were wounded and thrown down by the Townsmen After the Enemy began to give ground they immediately quitted the Cittadel and forthwith the horse marcht out after them when the Enemy discovered them they retired and left their Ladders and their Dead behind them together with some that were maimed but yet alive There were slain of the Enemy which fought within the Citadel and were intercepted without the Walls no less than eighty There you might see the men Congratulating one another the Women bringing them drink all shedding tears together for their great Deliverance at last every one present wept for joy The Year after the Argives and Arcadians attacked Phlius with their whole Forces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cephisodorus Archon The reason why they lay so hard upon the Phliasians was partly because they were provoked by them and partly because they lay betwixt them both and thereby were continually in hopes of reducing them by want of Provisions The Horse and the chosen men of the Phliasians supported by the Athenians first attacked the Cavalry at the pass of a River and defeated them compelling them to retire the rest of the day into the Mountains as it were taking care that they might not trample down their Friends Corn in the Valleys Again the Governour of Sicyon made another Attempt upon Phlius drawing out the Thebans he had in Garison together with the Sicyonians and Pellenians for they then assisted the Thebans whom Euphron joyned with two thousand of his Mercenaries The rest marched down by the Tricranum to Juno's Temple making as if they would destroy all the Country before them The Sicyonians and Pellenians were posted by the Corinthian Gate on the top of an Hill that the Phliasians might not surround them and gain an Eminence which lay beyond Juno's Temple When the Phliasians perceived that the Enemy would fall into the Plain the Horse and chosen men made opposition and hindred them from entring it so that most part of the Day was spent in Skirmishing Euphron's men pursuing the Enemy as far as the Horse could pass and the Townsmen as far as Juno's Temple When the Enemy thought it was time to march off they went round to the Tricranum because the Valley before the Wall hindred them from passing the direct way to the Pellenians but the Phliasians pursuing them a little way as far as to the rising Ground they faced about and marched on by the Wall towards the Pellenians and their Associates The Theban Governour being inform'd of the Phliasians diligence did his utmost endeavour to give the Pellenians timely assistance but the Phliasian Horse prevented him and fell upon the Pellenians who
at first received them and made them retreat but the latter joyning the Foot that were come up charged them again and closed Soon after the Enemy gave ground and some of the Sicyonians fell together with a great many brave men of the Pellenians For this Action the Phliasians erected a noble Trophy and according to the custom sang an Hymn In the mean while the Theban General and Euphron beheld this Skirmish from several places as if they had intended to have seen a sight Afterwards the Enemy returned home to Sicyon and the Townsmen to the City The Phliasians behaved themselves incomparably well in this Action and tho they were reduced to great want yet they discharged a Pellenian who had been their publick Host without ransom Who would not allow men who perform'd such Exploits as these to be both brave and couragious for 't is known to the whole world that they adhered to their Friends with invincible resolution When they were deprived of their Corn they lived partly upon Forage and partly by what they bought at Corinth going to Market through many dangers getting Money with great difficulty hardly procuring any to furnish them and scarcely hiring it upon the security of their labouring Beasts At last being in extreme want they prevailed with Chares to send them a Convoy to Phlius and after he arrived they desired him to conduct the useless people to Pellene which he did and left them there Then they bought provisions and loading as many Beasts as they could get departed by night and tho they knew that the Enemy way-laid them yet thinking it would be more grievous to starve than fight they proceeded on their way with Chares and meeting the Enemy encouraged one another and presently fell to work * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calling upon him for assistance Having obtain'd the Victory they beat the Enemy out of the Road and at last arrived safe with their Convoy The next day they slept late because they had watched that night At last when Chares rose the Horse and principal Men of the City came to him and said Chares You may do an excellent piece of Service today for the Sicyonians are fortifying a place in the Frontiers having with them a great many Masons but not many Soldiers Wherefore our Horse with the body of chosen Men will go before and if you will follow with your Mercenaries it may be you will find the work done to your hand or if you do but appear perhaps the Enemy will run as they did at Pellene But if any thing seem difficult do you consult the Gods by Sacrifice for we are of opinion that they had rather you should undertake this Enterprise than we Assure your self Chares that if you effect it you will not only defeat the Enemy but preserve a City that is in amity with you Besides you shall be the most honourable person in your Country and most Renown'd of all whether Allies or Enemies Chares embracing their proposal sacrificed and immediately the Phliasian Horse put on their Breast-plates and bridled their Horses the heavy-arm'd Men providing all things necessary for the Foot. When they had arm'd themselves and were gone to the place where he sacrificed he and the Priest met them and told them that the Sacrifice was auspicious Only stay a while said they till we march out with you Orders were immediately given and the Mercenaries went with full speed as it were by a divine impulse and when Chares began to march the Phliasian Horse and Foot went on before at the first marching nimbly then * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jogging on faster at last the Horse and Foot advancing gave a furious charge in the best order they were able and were seconded by Chares with diligence This was a little before Sun-set when they surprised some of the Enemy upon the Wall others washing some getting ready their provisions others kneading their Dough and some making their Beds When they saw the violence of the Attack they were soon terrified and fled abandoning all their provisions to those valiant men who supped on them and carried the Remainder home Then sacrificing for their good Fortune and singing an Hymn they set their Watches and reposed themselves The Corinthians receiving the News about Thyamia by night summoned all their Carriages and loading them with Provisions sent them very courteously to Phlius whither they went every day after till the Wall was finished This is the relation of the Phliasians how they persisted in their fidelity to their Friends and behaved themselves with Bravery in the War and remained firm to their alliance altho reduced to extreme want Much about this time Aeneas the Stymphalian General of the Arcadians thinking the Transactions at Sicyon were not to be endured went up into the Cittadel with his Army and assembled the principal Men of the Sicyonians recalling those who were banished without a publick Decree Euphron fearing this fled to the Port of Sicyon and sent for Pasimelus from Corinth by which means he delivered up the Port to the Lacedemonians and again embraced their Alliance professing he had ever been faithful to them for when it was put to a vote whether they should break with the Lacedemonians or no he with a few more declar'd against it Afterwards designing to call them that betrayed him to an account he constituted a Democracy And now says he I have banished all those that have betraid you and if it had lain in my power I had brought over the City to you but the Port which I was possess'd of I have delivered up Many heard him what he said tho how many believ'd him is not certain But since I have begun with Euphron's Designs I will go through with them The principal Men and People of Sicyon being divided Euphron return'd into his own Country bringing with him some Mercenaries from Athens by whose assistance he possess'd himself of the Town but the Theban Governor had the Cittadel Euphron knowing it was impossible to maintain the City whilst the Theban held the Cittadel raised money and going to Thebes perswaded the Thebans to banish the principal Men and deliver up the Town again But those who had been banished by him knowing his intent and scenting his journey and design went to Thebes to prevent him where fearing he might effect what he came for because they saw him familiar with the Magistrates they ventured the danger and cut his Throat in the Cittadel at the time the Magistrates and Senate were sitting The Magistrates brought the Men that committed the Fact before the Senate and spoke thus We Fellow-Citizens indict these Men who have kill'd Euphron for Murder The Murderers of Euphron indicted We find that sober Men never commit any unjust or villainous Act and when Rogues do they endeavour to hide it But these have so far transcended all Men in boldness and villany that without authority they have murdered a man in the face
of you the Magistrates who have the power of Life and Death if these therefore suffer not the utmost severity of the Law who will dare to come hereafter to this City And what will become of this place if every man may kill those that come hither before they declare what business they come about We prosecute these as the most impious and lawless Fellows who have in an high nature acted in contempt of the Government Now ye have heard the Case inflict on them what punishment you think they deserve Thus said the Magistrates the Ruffians denied all that they were concerned in the Murder except one who confess'd it and began to make his Defence in this manner My Lords of Thebes The Ruffians Defence That man dares not offer any contempt to you who knows that ye have power to use him as ye please I 'll now declare upon what Grounds I kill'd this man. Ye may assure your selves the first reason was because I thought it lawful another is that I might bring you to a right understanding of the case I found when Archias and Hypates perpetrated the same villanies that Euphron did ye never staid for the formality of a Trial but did justice on them the first opportunity for you grant that they who are sacrilegious persons notorious Traitors and Vsurpers have already received the sentence of death from all mankind And certainly Euphron was guilty of all these Crimes for he left the Temples naked which he found adorn'd with Offerings of Gold and Silver Who was a more profess'd Traitor than Euphron For being a great Friend to the Lacedemonians he preferr'd your interest before theirs and then having engaged himself to you forsook your interest again and delivered up the Port to your Enemies And was not he a notorious Tyrant in that he both freed the Slaves and naturalized them killing banishing and confiscating the Estates not only of the innocent but whomsoever he listed and amongst these Men of the chiefest Quality Beside being recalled from exile by the favour of the Athenians your inveterate Enemies he took Arms against your Governor and since he was not able to drive him out of the Cittadel he has scrap'd up money and is come hither If he had appear'd openly in Arms against you ye would have return'd me thanks for killing him now when he has brought mony to corrupt you and so to procure himself to be made supreme of his Country how can I in Justice be put to death for inflicting on him his deserved punishment They that are oppressed by violence suffer indeed yet cannot be thought unjust but those who are basely corrupted with Bribes both suffer and fall into disgrace too If therefore he were my Enemy and your Friend I confess I have then done ill in killing him amongst you But how came he that betray'd you to be more my Enemy than yours Perhaps some will say he came hither of his own accord therefore if any had killed him without your City he had been commended But now he is come to add more mischief to his former you can't deny but that he was justly put to death How can he that maintains He was unjustly killed make it appear that Traitors Renegades or Tyrants are comprehended in the publick Leagues amongst the Greeks Moreover I desire you would call to mind a Decree made by you wherein you give leave to seize Exiles and take them out of the confederate Cities Now can any one say that that Exile is unjustly killed who returns home without the general Decree of the Allies My Lords I affirm that if you put me to death you revenge the blood of him who was your most inveterate Enemy But if you find I have done according to Law you will not only do justice to your selves but all your Allies The Thebans hearing this decreed that Euphron had suffered condign punishment But his Fellow-Citizens having an high opinion of him carried him to Sicyon and buried him in the Market-place adoring him as their Founder For all people would have their Benefactors esteemed good men Hitherto I have spoken of Euphron and now return from my Digression Whilst the Phliasians were fortifying Thyamia and Chares was there the Exiles surprised Oropus to which place when the Athenians had drawn their whole Forces and sent for Chares they being assisted by the Arcadians retook the Port of Sicyon None of the Confederates aided the Athenians but marched away and deposited Oropus in the hands of the Thebans till the Controversie was decided But when Lycomedes understood the Athenians complained of the Confederates that these created them a great deal of trouble and yet no body assisted them he perswaded the ten thousand to treat with the Athenians about an Alliance At first the Athenians being in League with the Lacedemonians some of them thought it hard to confederate with their Enemies yet concluding it would be as advantageous to the Lacedemonians as themselves for the Arcadians to be deprived of the Thebans assistance they at last accepted the League Lycomedes having dispatch'd this Affair parted from Athens and died after a strange manner for there being several Ships he chose one which he liked best and agreeing to be set on shore where he pleased he fell by chance into the hands of the Exiles and so was killed The League was thus concluded but Demotion making a Speech to the people of Athens declared That in his opinion it was judiciously made yet that they ought to order the Generals to secure Corinth The Corinthians hearing this immediately sent sufficient Guards of their own to every place where the Athenians were in Garrison and commanded them to depart because they had no occasion for them Accordingly they complied Afterwards when the Athenians flocked out of the Forts into the City the Corinthians made Proclamation That if any of them had received any injury the Law was open and they should have Justice done them Whilst Affairs stood thus Chares arrived with his Fleet at Cenchreae and understanding what had passed told them that hearing of a Design against the City he was come to assist them they gave him their thanks yet did not receive his Fleet into their Harbour but ordered him to depart In like manner having paid off the heavy-arm'd Men they dismiss'd them Thus Corinth was clear'd of the Athenians who were obliged by the Treaty to assist the Arcadians with a Body of Horse in case their Country was invaded but not to enter Laconia therewith The Corinthians considering it would be difficult to secure themselves being they were already pressed at Land and had the Athenians for a new Enemy who alone were too great a Match resolved to raise Mercenary Horse and Foot and command them themselves whereby they might not only secure their own City but act offensively against their Enemies Besides they sent to Thebes to know whether they might have a peace the Thebans gave them encouragement yet they chose
where the Enemy might have engaged him in the Plain or where they might have thrown their Darts from off the Houses or where a small number could have done as much service as a greater but took a Place of which he thought he could make advantage and so went down not up into the City But what hapned there afterwards may be partly ascribed to Providence or else it may be said that no Power can resist the Desperate For though Archidamus had not an hundred men he not only passed over the River where in probability he might have been hindred but marched up a rising Ground to the Enemy and there those Souldiers that breathed Fire that had beaten the Lacedemonians that were in every respect stronger than they and on higher Ground could not sustain the Charge of Archidamus's Men but gave ground and the foremost of Epaminondas's Men were slain The Lacedemonians being transported with the Victory and pursuing the Enemy too far came off with some loss For as it seems Providence had circumscribed the bounds of the Victory how far it should extend Archidamus erected a Trophy in the Place where he had routed the Enemy and deliver'd their Dead upon Truce Epaminondas considering that the Arcadians were coming to the relief of Lacedemon would not fight them and the Lacedemonians together especially these having been lately successful and his own Men foiled Wherefore marching back again with all speed to Tegea and refreshing his Heavy-arm'd men he sent his Horse to Mantinea desiring them to hold out bravely telling them that probably all the Mantineans and their Cattel were without the Walls it being the time that they housed their Corn accordingly they went In the mean while the Athenian Horse marching from Eleusis Supped at the Isthmus and passing by Cleone arrived at Mantinea and took up their Quarters in the City The mantineans being certified that the Enemies Cavalry were coming thither desired the Athenian Horse to assist them if 't were possible for all their Cattel were abroad as also their Workmen a great many Children and old Men that were free The Athenians hearing this went out to their Assistance before either they or their Horses had eaten Here who can enough admire the Valour of these Horses who though they saw the Enemy were far stronger and tho they themselves had had a Disaster at Corinth they yet never call'd it to mind or that they were to fight with the Theban and Thessalian Horse which were counted the best in the World But ashamed to come thither without doing the Confederates any Service as soon as ever they came in view of the Enemy desirous to maintain the Glory of their Ancestors they engaged them and by this Encounter saved all that the Mantineans had abroad yet they lost some brave men and slew also some such of the Enemy For there was none on either side that had so short a Weapon but that he could reach his Enemy therewith At last they carried off their Friends that were slain and restored the Enemy theirs upon Truce Here Epaminondas considering that within a few days he should be obliged to depart because the time set for the Expedition was elapsed and that if he should leave them exposed whom he came to assist then they would be besieged by the Enemy and himself should lose all his former Glory because he and a strong body of Heavy-arm'd men had been beaten at Lacedemon by a few foiled at Mantinea in a Skirmish with the Horse and that his Voyage into Peloponnesus had given occasion to the Lacedemonians Arcadians Achaeans Eleans and Athenians to enter into a Confederacy thought it was not possible for him to retreat without fighting considering too that if he conquer'd he should remove all these Difficulties and that if he were killed it would be thought a Noble Death by having attempted to leave his Country the Soveraignty of Peloponnesus Nor is it any great wonder to me that he should entertain these Designs for these are the thoughts of men that are Lovers of Glory But this is a greater wonder that he so inur'd his Souldiers to refuse no kind of Toyl either by Day or Night to decline no Danger and to obey his Commands though they wanted Provisions For at last when he gave out orders to his Army to prepare themselves for Battel the Horse readily at his Command whitened their Head-pieces and some of the Arcadian Heavy-arm'd men form'd themselves into Companies and carried Clubs after the manner of the Thebans Lastly all whetted their Spears and Swords and scoured their Bucklers It is worth while to observe what he did after he had got them in this good Order At first as is usual he drew up in Battalia The Battel at Mantinea and then signified that Preparations should be made for a Battel after he had drawn up as he best liked he did not take the shortest Cut to the Enemy but led to the Hills that lay on the West of Tegea and opposite to the place where he was So that he made the Enemy believe he would not fight that Day But after he came to the Mountains and had extended his Army in Front he made a halt under the Hills as though he was about to Encamp and by this abated the prepared Fury of the Enemy to fight and made them negligent of the order of Battel they had drawn up in But bringing the Companies that were placed in File to the Front 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and making a strong Wedge about himself he commanded them to take up their Arms again and led them on When the Enemy saw them advance contrary to their expectation no one stood still but some ran to their Ranks others prepared themselves in Battalia some bridled their Horses and put on their Armour and seemed rather to be made a Carnage of than to make one On the other hand Epaminondas led on his Army being like the opposite Stem of a Galley concluding that where-ever he made an Impression there he should ruine their whole Body For he had prepared to charge with the Flower of his Forces leaving the Weaker part a good way off considering that if this were beaten it would put the rest into a Consternation and add Resolution to the Enemies The Enemy had drawn up their Horse in depth like a Battalion of Heavy-arm'd men not having flank'd them with Foot. on the contrary Epaminondas made a firm Wedge of his Horse and placed Foot by them thinking that after he had broke through the Enemies Horse he should beat all the rest of their Army For 't is very hard to find any that will abide by 't when they see their Fellow-Souldiers run Now that the Athenians on the left might not relieve those next them he posted some Horse and Heavy-arm'd men on the opposite Hills putting them in fear that if they went to the relief of their men these would fall on their Rear Nor did he sail of
they were not very numerous because though but Four hundred Spartans out of Seven hundred and a thousand Lacedemonians were slain yet this Loss was so great that they were forc'd to take in all under seventy years of age to recruit their Army and their Men were so exhausted that they had scarce enough wherewith to supply the necessary Offices of Government The Spartans and Lacedemonians were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Regiments being opposed to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Allies In each 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were Four 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in every 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in every 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sixteen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which last contained two and thirty men according to the Scholiast of Thucydides so that a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consisted of Five hundred and twelve Xenophon and the Scholiast of Thucydides differ in their Computations for in these things no certain Number can be assign'd and so the Roman Legion as our Regiment was more or less having no determinate Number Each 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Colonel under whom was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lieutenant Colonel The Phalanx at this time was not taken for any certain Number but sometimes for a Battalion or sometimes for the whole body of Foot. The eldest Polemarch was Lieutenant General of the Army and after Cleombrotus was slain in the Battel of Leuctra Dino the Polemarch commanded in Chief Besides these there were three hundred Horse and six hundred Sciritae which were a a chosen Band that were placed in the left Wing The whole Army was Conducted by one of their Kings who had an absolute and uncontrollable Power till Agis was so unfortunate as to make an hasty Treaty and then they assign'd him a Council of War without whose joynt Consent he could not act Or else by a General who had the Title of Harmostes which was given also to the Governour of a Town If the King was a Minor then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Protector commanded for him Before an Expedition was undertaken the King performed some preparatory Sacrifices called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and took the Field near Harvest that being the most likely-time to draw the Enemy out of their Fortresses to a Battel because they would come forth to defend their Corn If they did not the Lacedemonians did not sit down before their Garisons it being forbidden them by their Laws to besiege Towns because any kind of men by the benefit of a Wall might resist the most couragious and a valiant Man might be destroyed by an impotent Woman The Lacedemonians therefore being less expert in Seiges than any other of the Greeks they would not suffer any of their Neighbours to Fortifie but either pull'd down their Walls by force or oblig'd them thereto by Treaty Though they had a fair pretence that no strong Holds should be built lest the Persian if he Invaded Greece any more should possess himself thereof and gain firm footing in their Country I don't find that the Ancient Greeks had any formal ways of besieging Towns further than the raising a Wall about the Place they beleagur'd whereby they cut off Provisions and Succors from the Besieged Their Engines were but ordinary and rather invented occasionally than used commonly By the account we have of the famous Siege of Plataeae we may Collect what their Methods were in others It was at first Invested by the Peloponesians and Thebans but the former marched home and left the Siege to the management of the Thebans who built two Walls of Brick sixteen Foot wide like the Lines of Contravallation and Circumvallation between which they posted themselves After that they raised a Cavallier or high Mount to over-look the Town On the contrary the Besiged erected a wooden Wall upon the other of Stone to intercept the Enemies Prospect into the City and ran up another of Brick for a Retrenchment if the outermost should be taken Whilst the Thebans raised their Cavallier the Besieged carried a Mine to it and took away the Earth as fast as the Besiegers brought it and thereby hindred the advance of the Work. They had also another Device in the Attacking of Towns which was to carry a great deal of Combustible matter near the Walls that they set on fire and forcing the Enemy from their Posts with the Flames they entred by the benefit thereof and so carried it on to the Houses The Besieged did not make frequent Sallies for if they had four hundred and eighty Men could not have defended Plataeoe the space of two years Towns were taken three ways 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Assault by Surrender when the Garrison and Inhabitants deliver'd up the Place before the Enemy sat down before it to this latter is opposed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the Enemy made Works and took the Place by Siege When the Armies were in the Field they threw up a Trench and planted Pallizado's upon it to secure themselves from the Surprize of an Enemy The Generals drew up their Battel in the form of a Wedge and in an Oblong Figure which sometimes was with the longest side to the Front and other-whiles the longest side in depth they drew up sometimes in one and sometimes in another according as they thought it most for their advantage When the Battalions were made deep or form'd into a Wedge the Design was to break through the Enemies Battel and to rout them Though these Forms had their Inconveniences the first especially because they being many in File and few in Front the Enemies that Out-winged them might Flank them and fall in at those Intervals which were made by the eager and unequal pressing forward of the foremost Ranks and ruine their Body Neither would it hold in parity of Reason that because a Wedge of Iron would rive a Block that therefore one of men should pierce a Battalion The Thebans at the Battel of Leuctra were few in Front and fifty deep supposing if they made so strong an Impression on those about the Lacedemonian King as to Rout them that they should Defeat the rest with ease and accordingly it hapned The Heavy-arm'd men were Marshalled so as to receive the Light-arm'd men and Targetiers within them the ancients Heavy-arm'd men being like our Pike-men whereby they who had the rising-ground obtain'd a considerable advantage over those that were drawn up in a Plain Which Thrasybulus took notice of to his Souldiers when he encouraged them to fight against the Thirty Tyrants telling them that the Enemy stood on a Level and none but those who were in the Front could make use of their Darts and Lances whilst they standing on an Hill could employ all hands and bring every one to fight Before the Battel began an Hymn was sung to animate the Souldiers and the like after by those who had obtained the Victory Most of the
the right wing with fifteen Sail and next him was Diomedon with fifteen more Pericles was placed in the Rear of Aristocrates and Erasinides a Stern of Diomedon's Squadron Next to Diomedon were the Samians with ten Ships in rank under the Command of Hippeus their Countreyman next to these were ten Captains of the Heavy-armed men in Rank and three Admirals with the Confederates in the Rear of these Protomachus had the right Wing with fifteen Sail next him lay Thrasylus with fifteen more Lysias lay in the Rear of Protomachus with the like number and Aristogenes in the Rear of Thrasylus They drew up in this Figure that the Enemy might not charge through them because their Ships were worse Sailers than the others The Lacedemonian's Ships being nimble and fitted either to charge through the Enemie's Fleet or to surround it were drawn up all in a Line Callicratidas had the Van. Here Hermo and Megareus Callicratidas his Pilot told him he would do well to retreat because the Athenian Gallies were much more superiour in number Callicratidas told them again that Sparta would be ne'r the worse inhabited though he were slain and that it was dishonourable to fly Then they had a long Engagement at first in good order afterwards in consusion But when Callicratidas charged into the Enemie's Fleet with his own Ship and falling over board could ne'r be seen more and Protomachus in the right Wing had beaten the Enemie's left the Peloponnesians run most of them to Phocaea and some to Chios The Athenians returned to Arginusae There were twenty five Sail of the Athenians lost men and all except a few that got ashore Of the Peloponnesians nine Lacedemonians out of ten and sixty of the other Confederates The Admirals thought it convenient to send Theramenes and Thrasybulus that fitted out Gallies * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was one that the Law obliged to set out a Gally at his own expence which is mentioned in the second Book of this History and called by Demosthenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For Theramenes could not be a Captain of a man of War being he is called in two places of this Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Admiral at their own expence and some of the Captains of Heavy-armed men to go to the Ships that were disabled sinking and take up their men the rest to go and fall upon Eteonicus who blockt up Mitylene But they were hindred by a violent Wind and Storm from executing their Design So they erected a Trophy and staid there all Night In the mean time there came to Eteonicus an Advice-Boat with News of the Sea-fight He sent her away and commanded them on board her to sail out of Harbour without haling any Ship and forthwith to return to the Fleet with Garlands Crying Callicratidas had obtained a Victory at Sea and that all the Athenian Fleet was destroyed They obeyed their Orders and after they returned he sacrificed for the †Just like our Bonfires good News commanding the men to Sup the Merchants to ship their Goods privately and to go along with the Fleet in all hast for the Wind served to Chius The Camp he burnt and sent the Foot to Methymna After the Enemy departed Conon had a fair Gale and launching his Ships he met the Athenians that had parted a little before from Arginusae and gave them an account of Eteonicus The Athenians sailed to Mitylene and so forward to Chius from whence they departed without any Action The Government of Athens put all the Admirals out of Commission except Conon to whom they joyned Adimantus and for a third Philocles Protomachus and Aristogenes two of the Admirals that engaged did not return to Athens The other six * Pericles Diomedon Lysias Aristocrates Thrasilus and Erasiuides went thither Archedemus the Governour of Decelea and the greatest man in Athens at that time plotted secretly against Erasinides and accused him in Court for appropriating to himself the Publick money which came from the Hellespont and for something about his Command whereupon the Court thought fit to commit Erasinides When the Admirals gave a Relation of the Sea-fight and Violence of the Storm in the Senate-house Timocrates moved that the rest of them might be put in Irons and delivered up to the People accordingly the Senate ordered them to be taken into Custody Soon after there was an Assembly wherein several Persons but chiefly Theramenes accused the Admirals who declared they deserved to be call'd to an Account for not taking up the Shipwrackt men and proved by the Evidence of a Letter sent from the Admirals to the Senate and People that they made no other pretence for not doing it than that of the Storm After this each of the Admirals made a short Defence for they were not suffered to plead according to Law and gave a Relation of the whole Action That they persued the Enemy and that they gave Orders about taking up the men to those that fitted out Gallies at their own charge and to Theramenes and Thrasibulus who had formerly been Admirals and to Persons of the like Quality That they knew of none to be accountable for not taking them up except those that were commanded to 't Neither said they will we falsly lay the blame on them tho they have impeacht us for it was the Violence of the Storm that hindred the men from being taken up Moreover they proved what they said by the Depositions of the Masters and others that were in the Fleet and gave the People such satisfaction that several private men stood up and offered to bail them But 't was thought fit to adjourn the matter in hand till the next Assembly for then it was so dark that they could not see their hands that the Senate having prepared matters before should make their report how they would have the Prisoners tried The Feast * A Feast wherein the Parents brought their Children to be enrolled in the Tribes Castell Syntag. Apaturia came soon after wherein the Parents and Children assemble at which Theramenes his Friends put several People in Mourning and shaved them close that they might come into Court as the Relations of those that were drowned and prevailed with Callixenus to impeach the Admirals in the Senate Upon this an Assembly was called in which the Senate made their Report and Callixenus read it Whereas the Accusations and Defences of the Admirals were heard last Court. Let all the Athenians give their Suffrages by their Tribes Let there be set two Vrns in every Tribe Let the Cryer make Proclamation in every Tribe and whosoever is of Opinion that the Admirals are guilty of not taking up the Victors at Sea let him put his Suffrage into the first Vrn and whosoever is of the contrary opinion into the last If they be found guilty let them be delivered to the * XI men were like Sheriffs to take care of the Prisoners to see them tryed and
the Greeks that followed the Camp to stragle for pillage killed several of them Which Agesilaus perceiving commanded the Horse to go and relieve them but the Persians seeing Succours come drew up in a close Body and faced them with all their Troops Agesilaus understanding that the Enemies Foot were not yet come up thought it was a fit opportunity to fight if he could thereupon he sacrificed and forthwith leading his Phalanx against the Enemies Horse that confronted him he commanded out all those that were ten years past man's Estate to charge with full speed the Targetiers to follow on running after which he commanded the Horse to fall on making as if he would second them with the whole Army The Persians received the Horse but afterwards a terrible face of things appearing they gave Ground and immediately some of them fell into the River others fled and the Greeks pressing them hard took their Camp the Targetiers as it is usual falling to the Spoil Agesilaus encompast as well those things that belonged to Friends as Enemies with his Army and took abundance of Riches which amounted to above seventy Talents 13125 l. besides some Camels which he afterwards sent into Greece At the time of this fight Tissaphernes hapned to be at Sardes which occasioned the Persians to say that they were betrayed by him and the King supposing Tissaphernes was the cause of these miscarriages sent Tithraustes to take off his Head which he executed and dispatcht Ambassadors to Agesilaus with these Instructions Agesilaus the Authour of all your Troubles and ours too is brought to Justice the King of Persia requires you to march home with your Army and the Asiatick Cities shall be restored to their Liberty they paying him the accustomed Tribute Agesilaus made answer That he could act nothing without Orders from the Magistrates at home Then said Tithraustes seeing I have taken off your Enemy do you retreat into Pharnabazus his Government till you hear farther from home Agesilaus replied give me then Provisions for my Army till I arrive thither So Tithraustes gave him thirty Talents 5625 l. which he took and marcht with his Army into Phrygia the Government of Pharnabazus and being in the Plain beyond Cyma there came to him a Messenger from the Magistrates at home with a Commission to be Generalissimo both at Sea and Land as also to nominate whom he would for Admiral which the Lacedemonians did for this reason because if one commanded all the Forces would be united whereby both the Land Army and the Fleet would be strengthened by their mutual Assistance wherever there was occasion As soon as Agesilaus received this Commission he in the first place ordered the Islands and Maritine Towns to Equip as many Gallies as they thought fit There were an hundred and twenty sail of Ships new built part of which the Towns had promised and the rest some private Persons out of respect to him had furnished He appointed Admiral Pisander his Wive's Brother an ambitious and daring man yet unfit to discharge so weighty an Employment who parting from the Camp went to take care of the Naval Affairs and Agesilaus accordingly as he had designed passed into Phrygia Tithraustes seeming to apprehend that Agesilaus contemned the Forces of the King of Persia and had no thoughts in the least of drawing his Troops out of Asia but rather entertained great hopes of ruining the King and not knowing what measures to take sent Timocrates the Rhodian into Greece giving him as much Gold as amounted to about fifty Talents of Silver 9375 l. instructing him to use his endeavours and taking good security to distribute it amongst the leading men of the Cities on Condition that they would make War upon the Lacedemonians He went into Greece and at Thebes gave some of the Money to Androclides Ismenias and Galaxidorus at Corinth to Timolaus and Polyanthes at Argos to Cyclo and his Party the Athenians though they had no share of the Gold yet were eager for War thinking the Command in Chief belonged to them They that received the Money talkt against the Lacedemonians in their respective Cities and rendring them odious to the People stirred up the most considerable Commonwealths to consederate against them But the Chief of the Thebans knowing the Lacedemonians would not break the League made with the Allies War between the Lacedemonians and Thebans unless some others were the Aggressors perswaded the Locri Opuntii to pay Tribute out of a Country that was in dispute betwixt the Thebans and Phocaeans imagining if such a thing were done the Phocaeans would fall into Locris Nor were they mistaken for the Phocaeans made an inroad into Locris and took a great Spoyl thereupon Androclides and his Party prevailed with the Thebans to assist the Locrians as though the Enemy had not invaded a Countrey which was in Controversie but confessed on all Hands to be in Amity with them On the other hand the Thebans fell into Phocis and destroyed it upon which the Phocaeans sent Ambassadors to Lacedaemon desiring Assistance from them making it appear that they did not begin the War but only revenged their Injuries The Lacedemonians willingly embraced this opportunity of employing their Arms against the Thebans provoked by them before for siezing Apollo's Tenths at Decelea and for not seconding the Lacedemonians in their attempt upon the Piraeus complaining of them also for disswading the Corinthians from joyning with them calling also to mind their denying Agesilaus to sacrifice at Aulis and their throwing his Sacrifice off the Altar And for that they did not assist Agesilaus in his Expedition into Asia Thereupon they thought they had a fair opportunity to undertake a War against them and repress their insolency For their Affairs succeeded well in Asia Agesilaus having carried all before him nor was there any War in Greece that could give them a diversion on that side This being the sence of the Lacedemonian Republick the Ephori ordered a Levy to be made and sent Lysander to the Phocaeans with Orders to bring their Forces as also for the rest to assemble at Haliartus Oeteans Heracleans Melians and Aenians where Pausanias who was to Command in Chief had appointed the Troops of the Lacedemonians and other Peloponesians to Rendevous at a set day Lysander not only observed his Orders but brought over the Orchomenians also from the Thebans Pausanias after he had obtained a successful Sacrifice for his Voyage remained at Tegea and sent the Officers of the Mercenaries before being in expectation of the Troops from the Adjacent Places When the Thebans received Intelligence that the Lacedemonians were entred their Countrey they sent Ambassadors to Athens with this Message The Oration of the Theban Ambassadoes at Athens Ye complained of us My Lords of Athens for passing a severe Sentence against you towards the end of the Peloponesian War but this your Complaint was groundless For it was not the Decree of our Government but
out-wing them that the Lacedemonians confronted six of the Athenian Regiments and the Tegeans four Now both Armies being less than a Furlong distant from each other the Lacedemonians according to custom sacrificed a Goat to Minerva Agrotera and advanced toward the Enemy wheeling about to surround them with the part of their Wing that out-reached theirs When the Battels were joyned all the Lacedemonian Confederates were foyled by the Enemy except the Pellenians that fought the Thespieans who behaved themselves so well that several were slain on both sides The Lacedemonians beat as many of the Athenians as fell to their share and surrounded them with their extended Wing cutting off a great many and marched on in good order as if they had suffered nothing and passed by four of the Athenian Regiments before they gave over the pursuit Nor did they lose any men except those in the Charge against the Tegeans but in their return they fell upon the Argives and as the foremost Colonel was going to attack them one they say cried out to let the foremost of the Enemy pass which being done accordingly they galled their Flank and killed a great many men that fled by them After that they received the Corinthians coming back from pursuing and cut in pieces abundance of them Upon this the routed fled first to the Garisons but afterwards by the Example of the Corinthians betook themselves to their former Camp thereupon the Lacedemonians returned to the Place where the Battel begun and erected a Trophy This is the account of that Fight In the mean while Agesilaus hastned with Succours out of Asia and whilst he was at Amphipolis Dercyllidas brought him the News of a Victory the Lacedemonians had obtained with the loss of considerable numbers on the Enemies side and but eight Lacedemonians though several of their Confederates were killed Then Agesilaus said to him Dercyllidas would it not be convenient that the Cities which have sent their Forces to joyn ours should have Intelligence of it with all speed Dercyllidas made answer that they would be the more encouraged if they heard on 't Therefore since you are here said Agesilaus you might make a fit Messenger Dercyllidas hearkned willingly to this for he loved travelling and said to Agesilaus I 'll go if you 'll command me Then I command you replied he and moreover I would have you tell them that if things succeed well here I 'll be with them again according to my Promise Dercyllidas was now departed from the Hellespont and Agesilaus marched through Macedon and came into Thessaly where the Larisseans Cranonians Scotusaeans and Pharsalians being in League with the Boeotians together with all the Thessalians except the Exiles pursued him and cut off some of his Rear He marched with his Army in a Square placing one half of his Cavalry in the Front and the other in the Rear but the Thessalians attacking his Rear and hindering his March he sent all the Horse to the Front except his own Guards As soon as they confronted each other the Thessalians not thinking fit with their Horse to engage the Heavy-armed men faced about and retreated gently Agesilaus's Horse pursued them unadvisedly and he finding both them and the Enemy in disorder sent his own Guards being very stout men and ordered them to command the rest to pursue with all speed imaginable and not give them opportunity of facing about The Thessalians seeing the Lacedemonians coming upon them contrary to their expectation some of them fled some turned upon the Enemy and others that attempted the like were flanked by the Horse and taken Polymachus the Pharsalian that commanded the Horse faced about and fighting with those he had with him was slain Thereupon the Thessalians falling into a confused Flight some were killed and others taken nor did they make an halt till they had recovered the Mountain Narthacium Then Agesilaus erected a Trophy between Pras and Narthacium and rested there being much pleased with the Action in that he had beat those Cavalry that gloried in their Horsemanship with such Horse as he himself had raised Next day passing the Achaean Mountains of Pthia he marched through a Friends Countrey till he came to the frontiers of Boeotia and as he was entring the Enemies Countrey the Sun appeared like a Crescent News came too that the Lacedemonians were beaten at Sea and that their Admiral Pisander was killed There was a Relation of the Engagement how it was that both the Fleets engaged about Cnidus that Pharnabazus the Admiral was there with the Phaenicians and Conon with the Grecian Navy lay in the Front and that when Pisander had drawn up against Conon it appeared he had fewer Ships in his whole Navy than he only in the Grecian Fleet. The Confederates that were in the Rear ran immediately but Pisander engaging the Enemy with a stemmed Gally was forced aground and the rest that were driven ashore left their Ships getting as well as they could into Cnidus only Pisander fought on board his own Ship till he was slain Agesilaus was exceedingly troubled at first when he heard it yet recollecting that as the News of good Success is a marvellous encouragement to an Army so if things fall out ill it is not necessary to let them know it he soon after changed his Mind and reported to the Soldiers how Pisander was killed but had got the Victory and after he had related it he offered some Bullocks for the good News and sent part of the Sacrifice to several Persons So that a light skirmish happening Agesilaus's men beat the Enemy upon the Fame of this Sea-Victory that he gave out the Lacedemonians had won There were opposed to Agesilaus the Boeotians Athenians Argives Corinthians Aenians Euboeans and both the Locri Agesilaus had with him a Regiment of Lacedemonians that came from Corinth and half of another from Orchomenus having beside these the Half Slaves from Lacedemon and the Mercenaries that Herippidas commanded as also those that he joyned in his march from the Greek Cities in Asia and Europe there he was joyned by the Orchomenians and Phocean Heavy-armed men Agesilaus was stronger in Targetiers but the Horse were equal and these were the Forces of both Armies I will give a Relation of the Fight being such an one as has not happened in our time The Battel at Cheronea The Armies met on the Plains near Coronea Agesilaus's Forces marching from the Cephisus and the Thebans from Helicon Agesilaus led the Van himself the Orchomenians being in the Rear of all the Thebans had the Van of their Army and the Argives the Rear Just as they engaged there was a profound Silence in both Armies and when they were within a Furlongs distance the Thebans set up a shout and gave a furious charge afterwards at the distance of three hundred feet the Mercenaries of Agesilaus's Battalion that Herippidas commanded ran upon the Enemy and together with them the Ionians Aeolians and Hellespontians these
the Walls When Mnasippus saw this he thought he was Cock-sure of the Town and began to Treat the Mercenaries after a new manner abridging some of their whole Pay and was two Months in Arrears to those which he paid Nor did he this for want of Money as was reported for it being a Sea-Expedition several Cities had sent Money in lieu of Men. In the mean while the Besieged discovering from the Towers the Watches not so carefully kept as before and the Souldiers stragling up and down the Country sallied out took some and killed others Mnasippus having notice hereof not only arm'd himself but went out with his heavy-arm'd men to their Relief ordering the Commanders and Captains to lead out their Mercenaries and when some of them made answer It was not easie for him to contain the Souldiers in their Duty who had not supplied them with Necessaries he struck one with his Truncheon and another with the Javelin of his Lance And thus they marched out shrewdly against their humour hating their General a thing no ways expedient in time of Action After he had drawn them up in Battalia he routed those that were posted by the Gates and pursued them but they getting near the Walls and facing about threw their Javelins and darted their Lances from off the Monuments At the same time more sallied out at the other Gates and fell pell-mell upon his Rear The men being marshalled Eight in Front and apprehending that part of the Battalion to be weak endeavoured to face about but as they began to retreat the Enemy attacked them as if they had actually fled so that they could face no more and then those next the Rear were routed By this time Mnasippus was not able to succor them that were pressed because the Enemy lay hard upon him in the Front and hose about him grew still fewer and fewer At last the Enemy gave a furious Charge and attacked Mnasippus his Squadron being already reduced to a small number which the heavy-arm'd men seeing came on and killing Mnasippus pursued with all their Forces and had taken the Camp and Trench but that discovering the Sutiers Servants and Slaves they took them to be men effective and retired The Corcyreans erected a Trophy and restored the Dead upon Truce Hereupon they in the Town gathered strength and the Besiegers were wholly disheartned there being news that Iphicrates was as good as arrived and the Corcyreans were Equipping their Fleet Upon that Hypermenes Mnasippus his Vice-Admiral fitted out all the Ships that were there and sailing about to the Camp put the Slaves and Money on board all the small Vessels and sent them away defending the Camp himself with the Seamen and other Souldiers that had escaped the Battel who having very great Apprehensions lest they should be surprized by the Athenians went on board the Gallies in confusion and setting Sail arrived safe at Leucas leaving behind them a great quantity of Corn and Wine with a considerable number of Slaves and sick men When Iphicrates set Sail he immediately made ready for an engagement leaving his main Sails as though he were going to fight made little use of his small Vessels though it was a fair Gale but kept on his course with rowing whereby he exercised the mens bodies more and made the Ships Sail better For several times in those places where the Fleet were to Dine or Sup he stood out to Sea and then tacking lay with the Stems of the Gallies towards the Shore commanding them when the sign was given to strive who should land first because they that did were by way of Reward served first with Water or any thing else they wanted and had the preeminence of dining first On the contrary it was a great punishment for the Tardy to be deprived of all those Advantages and be obliged to come on board when the sign was made for those that got first ashore did every thing at their leisure but those that came last did all in an hurry When Iphicrates dined in the Enemies Country he set Centinels as the custom is at Land and haled up his Masts setting the men to spy from them so that they looking from an Eminence saw a great deal further than they could upon a Level When he had Supped and Reposed he made no Fires in the Camp but made Lights before it that the Enemy might not approach undiscovered Oftentimes when he supped in a Calm he put to Sea and if it were a Gale the Seamen rested and the Fleet kept on their course if they were obliged to row he refreshed them by turns and in their course by Day he sometimes drew up the Fleet in a Line and other whiles in a Body So that they supposing as they sailed that they went into a Sea possessed by the Enemies had all things in readiness for an Engagement And because Iphicrates did only that which was just necessary he prevented Supplies from being brought to the Enemy and performed his Voyage with great expedition He was at Sphagea a Town in Laconia when Mnasippus was slain from thence he went into the Country of Elis and passing the Mouth of Alpheus put into Port about a place called Icthys next day he sailed from thence to Cephallenia continuing his course in that order so as to have all things ready for an Engagement if occasion served For being he had heard nothing about Mnasippus from any that was an Eye Witness he suspected this report might be spread purposely to catch him and therefore he was upon his Guard but afterwards arriving at Cephallenia and being certified of the truth there he refreshed his Army I confess that Discipline and Exercise is to be used when there is a prospect of an Engagement but this I commend in Iphicrates that being to go where he immediately expected a Sea Fight he so contrived that his men should understand what belonged to one and yet all this Discipline did not retard his course After he had taken in the Towns in Cephallenia he went to Corcyra and there having Intelligence of the ten Gallies which Dionysius sent to the Assistance of the Lacedemonians he went himself to view in what part of the Country they might be discovered when they arrived and at what place from the Town they who were to give the sign of their Arrival might be discerned there he set Scouts and appointed what sign they should make upon the Enemies Arrival and coming into Port. In the mean while he gave Orders to twenty Captains of Gallies who were to attend him upon Summons made and told them before-hand that if they did not thy must thank themselves for what followed It was worth while to have seen what hast they made upon the discovery of the Enemies Arrival and the Proclamation made there being none of them but got aboard with all imaginable diligence Iphicrates went from thence to the place where the Enemies Gallies lay and found that the men were