The above is a sketch1 of Thessalian affairs, including the incidents connected with Jason, and those subsequent to his death, down to the government of Tisiphonus. I now return to the point at which we digressed.
B.C. 371. Archidamus, after the relief of the army defeated at Leuctra, had led back the united forces. When he was gone, the Athenians, impressed by the fact that the Peloponessians still felt under an obligation to follow the Lacedaemonians to the field, whilst Sparta herself was by no means as yet reduced to a condition resembling that to which she had reduced Athens, sent invitations to those states which cared to participate in the peace authorised by the great king.586 A congress met, and they passed a resolution in conjunction with those who wished to make common cause with them to bind4 themselves by oath as follows: “I will abide5 by the treaty terms as conveyed in the king’s rescript, as also by the decrees of the Athenians and the allies. If any one marches against any city among those which have accepted this oath, I will render assistance to that city with all my strength.” The oath gave general satisfaction, the Eleians alone gainsaying6 its terms and protesting that it was not right to make either the Marganians or the Scilluntians or the Triphylians independent, since these cities belonged to them, and were a part of Elis.587 The Athenians, however, and the others passed the decree in the precise language of the king’s rescript: that all states — great and small alike — were to be independent; and they sent out administrators7 of the oath, and enjoined8 upon them to administer it to the highest authorities in each state. This oath they all, with the exception of the Eleians, swore to.
B.C. 371-370. As an immediate9 consequence of this agreement, the Mantineans, on the assumption that they were now absolutely independent, met in a body and passed a decree to make Mantinea into a single state and to fortify10 the town.588 The proceeding11 was not overlooked by the Lacedaemonians, who thought it would be hard if this were done without their consent. Accordingly they despatched Agesilaus as ambassador to the Mantineans, choosing him as the recognised ancestral friend of that people. When the ambassador arrived, however, the chief magistrates12 had no inclination13 to summon a meeting of the commons to listen to him, but urged him to make a statement of his wishes to themselves. He, on his side, was ready to undertake for himself and in their interests that, if they would at present desist from their fortification work, he would bring it about that the defensive14 walls should be built with the sanction of Lacedaemon and without cost. Their answer was, that it was impossible to hold back, since a decree had been passed by the whole state of Mantinea to build at once. Whereupon Agesilaus went off in high dudgeon; though as to sending troops to stop them,589 the idea seemed impracticable, as the peace was based upon the principle of autonomy. Meanwhile the Mantineans received help from several of the Arcadian states in the building of their walls; and the Eleians contributed actually three talents590 of silver to cover the expense of their construction. And here leaving the Mantineans thus engaged, we will turn to the men of Tegea.
There were in Tegea two political parties. The one was the party of Callibius and Proxenus, who were for drawing together the whole Arcadian population in a confederacy,591 in which all measures carried in the common assembly should be held valid15 for the individual component16 states. The programme of the other (Stasippus’s) party was to leave Tegea undisturbed and in the enjoyment17 of the old national laws. Perpetually defeated in the Sacred College,592 the party of Callibius and Proxenus were persuaded that if only the commons met they would gain an easy victory by an appeal to the multitude; and in this faith they proceeded to march out the citizen soldiers.593 At sight of this Stasippus and his friends on their side armed in opposition18, and proved not inferior in numbers. The result was a collision and battle, in which Proxenus and some few others with him were slain19 and the rest put to flight; though the conquerors20 did not pursue, for Stasippus was a man who did not care to stain his hands with the blood of his fellow-citizens.594
Callibius and his friends had retired21 under the fortification walls and gates facing Mantinea; but, as their opponents made no further attempts against them, they here collected together and remained quiet. Some while ago they had sent messages to the Mantineans demanding assistance, but now they were ready to discuss terms of reconciliation22 with the party of Stasippus. Presently they saw the Mantineans advancing; whereupon some of them sprang to the walls, and began calling to them to bring succour with all speed. With shouts they urged upon them to make haste, whilst others threw open wide the gates to them. Stasippus and his party, perceiving what was happening, poured out by the gates leading to Pallantium,595 and, outspeeding their pursuers, succeeded in reaching the temple of Artemis, where they found shelter, and, shutting to the doors, kept quiet. Following close upon their heels, however, their foes24 scaled the temple, tore off the roof, and began striking them down with the tiles. They, recognising that there was no choice, called upon their assailants to desist, and undertook to come forth26. Then their opponents, capturing them like birds in a fowler’s hand, bound them with chains, threw them on to the prisoner’s van,596 and led them off to Tegea. Here with the Mantineans they sentenced and put them to death.
The outcome of these proceedings27 was the banishment28 to Lacedaemon of the Tegeans who formed the party of Stasippus, numbering eight hundred; but as a sequel to what had taken place, the Lacedaemonians determined29 that they were bound by their oaths to aid the banished30 Tegeans and to avenge31 the slain. With this purpose they marched against the Mantineans, on the ground that they had violated their oaths in marching against Tegea with an armed force. The ephors called out the ban and the state commanded Agesilaus to head the expedition.
Meanwhile most of the Arcadian contingents32 were mustering34 at Asea.597 The Orchomenians not only refused to take part in the Arcadian league, on account of their personal hatred35 to Mantinea, but had actually welcomed within their city a mercenary force under Polytropus, which had been collected at Corinth. The Mantineans themselves were forced to stay at home to keep an eye on these. The men of Heraea and Lepreum made common cause with the Lacedaemonians in a campaign against Mantinea.
Finding the frontier sacrifices favourable36, Agesilaus began his march at once upon Arcadia. He began by occupying the border city of Eutaea, where he found the old men, women, and children dwelling37 in their houses, while the rest of the population of a military age were off to join the Arcadian league. In spite of this he did not stir a finger unjustly against the city, but suffered the inhabitants to continue in their homes undisturbed. The troops took all they needed, and paid for it in return; if any pillage38 had occurred on his first entrance into the town, the property was hunted up and restored by the Spartan39 king. Whilst awaiting the arrival of Polytropus’s mercenaries, he amused himself by repairing such portions of their walls as necessity demanded.
Meanwhile the Mantineans had taken the field against Orchomenus; but from the walls of that city the invaders40 had some difficulty in retiring, and lost some of their men. On their retreat they found themselves in Elymia;598 here the heavy infantry41 of the Orchomenians ceased to follow them; but Polytropus and his troops continued to assail25 their rear with much audacity42. At this conjuncture, seeing at a glance that either they must beat back the foe23 or suffer their own men to be shot down, the Mantineans turned right about and met the assailant in a hand-to-hand encounter. Polytropus fell fighting on that battlefield; and of the rest who took to flight, many would have shared his fate, but for the opportune43 arrival of the Phliasian cavalry44, who swooped45 round to the conqueror’s rear and checked him in his pursuit.599
Content with this achievement, the Mantineans retired homewards; while Agesilaus, to whom the news was brought, no longer expecting that the Orchomenian mercenaries could effect a junction3 with himself, determined to advance without further delay.600 On the first day he encamped for the evening meal in the open country of Tegea, and the day following crossed into Mantinean territory. Here he encamped under the westward-facing601 mountains of Mantinea, and employed himself in ravaging47 the country district and sacking the farmsteads; while the troops of the Arcadians who were mustered48 in Asea stole by night into Tegea. The next day Agesilaus shifted his position, encamping about two miles’602 distance from Mantinea; and the Arcadians, issuing from Tegea and clinging to the mountains between Mantinea and that city, appeared with large bodies of heavy infantry, wishing to effect a junction with the Mantineans. The Argives, it is true, supported them, but they were not in full force. And here counsellors were to be found who urged on Agesilaus to attack these troops separately; but fearing lest, in proportion as he pressed on to engage them, the Mantineans might issue from the city behind and attack him on flank and rear, he decided49 it was best to let the two bodies coalesce50, and then, if they would accept battle, to engage them on an open and fair field.
And so ere long the Arcadians had effected their object and were united with the Mantineans. The next incident was the sudden apparition51 at break of day, as Agesilaus was sacrificing in front of the camp, of a body of troops. These proved to be the light infantry from Orchomenus, who in company with the Phliasian cavalry had during the night made their way across past the town of Mantinea; and so caused the mass of the army to rush to their ranks, and Agesilaus himself to retire within the lines. Presently, however, the newcomers were recognised as friends; and as the sacrifices were favourable, Agesilaus led his army forward a stage farther after breakfast. As the shades of evening descended52 he encamped unobserved within the fold of the hills behind the Mantinean territory, with mountains in close proximity53 all round.603
On the next morning, as day broke, he sacrificed in front of the army; and observing a mustering of men from the city of Mantinea on the hills which overhung the rear of his army, he decided that he must lead his troops out of the hollow by the quickest route. But he feared lest, if he himself led off, the enemy might fall upon his rear. In this dilemma54 he kept quiet; presenting a hostile front to the enemy, he sent orders to his rear to face about to the right,604 and so getting into line behind his main body, to move forward upon him; and in this way he at once extricated55 his troops from their cramped56 position and kept continually adding to the weight and solidity of his line. As soon as the phalanx was doubled in depth he emerged upon the level ground, with his heavy infantry battalions57 in this order, and then again extended his line until his troops were once more nine or ten shields deep. But the Mantineans were no longer so ready to come out. The arguments of the Eleians who had lent them their co-operation had prevailed: that it was better not to engage until the arrival of the Thebans. The Thebans, it was certain, would soon be with them; for had they not borrowed ten talents605 from Elis in order to be able to send aid? The Arcadians with this information before them kept quiet inside Mantinea. On his side Agesilaus was anxious to lead off his troops, seeing it was midwinter; but, to avoid seeming to hurry his departure out of fear, he preferred to remain three days longer and no great distance from Mantinea. On the fourth day, after an early morning meal, the retreat commenced. His intention was to encamp on the same ground which he had made his starting-point on leaving Eutaea. But as none of the Arcadians appeared, he marched with all speed and reached Eutaea itself, although very late, that day; being anxious to lead off his troops without catching58 a glimpse of the enemy’s watch-fires, so as to silence the tongues of any one pretending that he withdrew in flight. His main object was in fact achieved. To some extent he had recovered the state from its late despondency, since he had invaded Arcadia and ravaged60 the country without any one caring to offer him battle. But, once arrived on Laconian soil, he dismissed the Spartan troops to their homes and disbanded the provincials606 to their several cities.
B.C. 370-369. The Arcadians, now that Agesilaus had retired, realising that he had disbanded his troops, while they themselves were fully62 mustered, marched upon Heraea, the citizens of which town had not only refused to join the Arcadian league, but had joined the Lacedaemonians in their invasion of Arcadia. For this reason they entered the country, burning the homesteads and cutting down the fruit-trees.
Meanwhile news came of the arrival of the Theban reinforcements at Mantinea, on the strength of which they left Heraea and hastened to fraternise607 with their Theban friends. When they were met together, the Thebans, on their side, were well content with the posture63 of affairs: they had duly brought their succour, and no enemy was any longer to be discovered in the country; so they made preparations to return home. But the Arcadians, Argives and Eleians were eager in urging them to lead the united forces forthwith into Laconia: they dwelt proudly on their own numbers, extolling64 above measure the armament of Thebes. And, indeed, the Boeotians one and all were resolute65 in their military manouvres and devotion to arms,608 exulting66 in the victory of Leuctra. In the wake of Thebes followed the Phocians, who were now their subjects, Euboeans from all the townships of the island, both sections of the Locrians, the Acarnanians,609 and the men of Heraclea and of Melis; while their force was further swelled67 by Thessalian cavalry and light infantry. With the full consciousness of facts like these, and further justifying68 their appeal by dwelling on the desolate70 condition of Lacedaemon, deserted71 by her troops, they entreated72 them not to turn back without invading the territory of Laconia. But the Thebans, albeit73 they listened to their prayers, urged arguments on the other side. In the first place, Laconia was by all accounts most difficult to invade; and their belief was that garrisons75 were posted at all the points most easily approached. (As a matter of fact, Ischolaus was posted at Oeum in the Sciritid, with a garrison74 of neodamodes and about four hundred of the youngest of the Tegean exiles; and there was a second outpost on Leuctrum above the Maleatid.610) Again it occurred to the Thebans that the Lacedaemonian forces, though disbanded, would not take long to muster33, and once collected they would fight nowhere better than on their own native soil. Putting all these considerations together, they were not by any means impatient to march upon Lacedaemon. A strong counter-impulse, however, was presently given by the arrival of messengers from Caryae, giving positive information as to the defenceless condition of the country, and offering to act as guides themselves; they were ready to lose their lives if they were convicted of perfidy76. A further impulse in the same direction was given by the presence of some of the provincials61,611 with invitations and promises of revolt, if only they would appear in the country. These people further stated that even at the present moment, on a summons of the Spartans77 proper, the provincials did not care to render them assistance. With all these arguments and persuasions78 echoing from all sides, the Thebans at last yielded, and invaded. They chose the Caryan route themselves, while the Arcadians entered by Oeum in the Sciritid.612
By all accounts Ischolaus made a mistake in not advancing to meet them on the difficult ground above Oeum. Had he done so, not a man, it is believed, would have scaled the passes there. But for the present, wishing to turn the help of the men of Oeum to good account, he waited down in the village; and so the invading Arcadians scaled the heights in a body. At this crisis Ischolaus and his men, as long as they fought face to face with their foes, held the superiority; but, presently, when the enemy, from rear and flank, and even from the dwelling-houses up which they scaled, rained blows and missiles upon them, then and there Ischolaus met his end, and every man besides, save only one or two who, failing to be recognised, effected their escape.
After these achievements the Arcadians marched to join the Thebans at Caryae, and the Thebans, hearing what wonders the Arcadians had performed, commenced their descent with far greater confidence. Their first exploit was to burn and ravage59 the district of Sellasia, but finding themselves ere long in the flat land within the sacred enclosure of Apollo, they encamped for the night, and the next day continued their march along the Eurotas. When they came to the bridge they made no attempt to cross it to attack the city, for they caught sight of the heavy infantry in the temple of Alea613 ready to meet them. So, keeping the Eurotas on their right, they tramped along, burning and pillaging80 homesteads stocked with numerous stores. The feelings of the citizens may well be imagined. The women who had never set eyes upon a foe614 could scarcely contain themselves as they beheld81 the cloud of smoke. The Spartan warriors82, inhabiting a city without fortifications, posted at intervals83, here one and there another, were in truth what they appeared to be — the veriest handful. And these kept watch and ward46. The authorities passed a resolution to announce to the helots that whosoever among them chose to take arms and join a regiment84 should have his freedom guaranteed to him by solemn pledges in return for assistance in the common war.615 More than six thousand helots, it is said, enrolled85 themselves, so that a new terror was excited by the very incorporation86 of these men, whose numbers seemed to be excessive. But when it was found that the mercenaries from Orchomenus remained faithful, and reinforcements came to Lacedaemon from Phlius, Corinth, Epidaurus, and Pellene, and some other states, the dread87 of these new levies88 was speedily diminished.
The enemy in his advance came to Amyclae.616 Here he crossed the Eurotas. The Thebans wherever they encamped at once formed a stockade89 of the fruit-trees they had felled, as thickly piled as possible, and so kept ever on their guard. The Arcadians did nothing of the sort. They left their camping-ground and took themselves off to attack the homesteads and loot. On the third or fourth day after their arrival the cavalry advanced, squadron by squadron, as far as the racecourse,617 within the sacred enclosure of Gaiaochos. These consisted of the entire Theban cavalry and the Eleians, with as many of the Phocian or Thessalian or Locrian cavalry as were present. The cavalry of the Lacedaemonians, looking a mere90 handful, were drawn91 up to meet them. They had posted an ambuscade chosen from their heavy infantry, the younger men, about three hundred in number, in the house of the Tyndarids618; and while the cavalry charged, out rushed the three hundred at the same instant at full pace. The enemy did not wait to receive the double charge, but swerved92, and at sight of that many also of the infantry took to headlong flight. But the pursuers presently paused; the Theban army remained motionless; and both parties returned to their camps. And now the hope, the confidence strengthened that an attack upon the city itself would never come; nor did it. The invading army broke up from their ground, and marched off on the road to Helos and Gytheum.619 The unwalled cities were consigned93 to the flames, but Gytheum, where the Lacedaemonians had their naval94 arsenal95, was subjected to assault for three days. Certain of the provincials620 also joined in this attack, and shared the campaign with the Thebans and their friends.
The news of these proceedings set the Athenians deeply pondering what they ought to do concerning the Lacedaemonians, and they held an assembly in accordance with a resolution of the senate. It chanced that the ambassadors of the Lacedaemonians and the allies still faithful to Lacedaemon were present. The Lacedaemonian ambassadors were Aracus, Ocyllus, Pharax, Etymocles, and Olontheus, and from the nature of the case they all used, roughly speaking, similar arguments. They reminded the Athenians how they had often in old days stood happily together, shoulder to shoulder, in more than one great crisis. They (the Lacedaemonians), on their side, had helped to expel the tyrant96 from Athens, and the Athenians, when Lacedaemon was besieged97 by the Messenians, had heartly leant her a helping98 hand.621 Then they fell to enumerating99 all the blessings100 that marked the season when the two states shared a common policy, hinting how in common they had warred against the barbarians101, and more boldly recalling how the Athenians with the full consent and advice of the Lacedaemonians were chosen by united Hellas leaders of the common navy622 and guardians103 of all the common treasure, while they themselves were selected by all the Hellenes as confessedly the rightful leaders on land; and this also not without the full consent and concurrence104 of the Athenians.
One of the speakers ventured on a remark somewhat to this strain: “If you and we, sirs, can only agree, there is hope today that the old saying may be fulfilled, and Thebes be ‘taken and tithed.’"623 The Athenians, however, were not in the humour to listen to that style of argument. A sort of suppressed murmur105 ran through the assembly which seemed to say, “That language may be well enough now; but when they were well off they pressed hard enough on us.” But of all the pleas put forward by the Lacedaemonians, the weightiest appeared to be this: that when they had reduced the Athenians by war, and the Thebans wished to wipe Athens off the face of the earth, they (the Lacedaemonians) themselves had opposed the measure.624 If that was the argument of most weight, the reasoning which was the most commonly urged was to the effect that “the solemn oaths necessitated106 the aid demanded. Sparta had done no wrong to justify69 this invasion on the part of the Arcadians and their allies. All she had done was to assist the men of Tegea when625 the Mantineans had marched against that township contrary to their solemn oaths.” Again, for the second time, at these expressions a confused din2 ran through the assembly, half the audience maintaining that the Mantineans were justified107 in supporting Proxenus and his friends, who were put to death by the party with Stasippus; the other half that they were wrong in bringing an armed force against the men of Tegea.
Whilst these distinctions were being drawn by the assembly itself, Cleiteles the Corinthian got up and spoke108 as follows: “I daresay, men of Athens, there is a double answer to the question, Who began the wrongdoing? But take the case of ourselves. Since peace began, no one can accuse us either of wantonly attacking any city, or of seizing the wealth of any, or of ravaging a foreign territory. In spite of which the Thebans have come into our country and cut down our fruit-treees, burnt to the ground our houses, filched109 and torn to pieces our cattle and our goods. How then, I put it to you, will you not be acting110 contrary to your solemn oaths if you refuse your aid to us, who are so manifestly the victims of wrongdoings? Yes; and when I say solemn oaths, I speak of oaths and undertakings111 which you yourselves took great pains to exact from all of us.” At that point a murmur of applause greeted Cleiteles, the Athenians feeling the truth and justice of the speaker’s language.
He sat down, and then Procles of Phlius got up and spoke as follows: “What would happen, men of Athens, if the Lacedaemonians were well out of the way? The answer to that question is obvious. You would be the first object of Theban invasion. Clearly; for they must feel that you and you alone stand in the path between them and empire over Hellas. If this be so, I do not consider that you are more supporting Lacedaemon by a campaign in her behalf than you are helping yourselves. For imagine the Thebans, your own sworn foes and next-door neighbours, masters of Hellas! You will find it a painful and onerous112 exchange indeed for the distant antagonism113 of Sparta. As a mere matter of self-interest, now is the time to help yourselves, while you may still reckon upon allies, instead of waiting until they are lost, and you are forced to fight a life-and-death battle with the Thebans single-handed. But the fear suggests itself, that should the Lacedaemonians escape now, they will live to cause you trouble at some future date. Lay this maxim114 to heart, then, that it is not the potential greatness of those we benefit, but of those we injure, which causes apprehension115. And this other also, that it behoves individuals and states alike so to better their position626 while yet in the zenith of their strength that, in the day of weakness, when it comes, they may find some succour and support in what their former labours have achieved.627 To you now, at this time, a heaven-sent opportunity is presented. In return for assistance to the Lacedaemonians in their need, you may win their sincere, unhesitating friendship for all time. Yes, I say it deliberately116, for the acceptance of these benefits at your hands will not be in the presence of one or two chance witnesses. The all-seeing gods, in whose sight tomorrow is even as today, will be cognisant of these things. The knowledge of them will be jointly117 attested118 by allies and enemies; nay119, by Hellenes and barbarians alike, since to not one of them is what we are doing a matter of unconcern. If, then, in the presence of these witnesses, the Lacedaemonians should prove base towards you, no one will ever again be eager in their cause. But our hope, our expectation should rather be that they will prove themselves good men and not base; since they beyond all others would seem persistently120 to have cherished a high endeavour, reaching forth after true praise, and holding aloof121 from ugly deeds.
“But there are further considerations which it were well you should lay to heart. If danger were ever again to visit Hellas from the barbarian102 world outside, in whom would you place your confidence if not in the Lacedaemonians? Whom would you choose to stand at your right hand in battle if not these, whose soldiers at Thermopylae to a man preferred to fall at their posts rather than save their lives by giving the barbarian free passage into Hellas? Is it not right, then, considering for what thing’s sake they dislayed that bravery in your companionship, considering also the good hope there is that they will prove the like again — is it not just that you and we should lend them all countenance122 and goodwill123? Nay, even for us their allies’ sake, who are present, it would be worth your while to manifest this goodwill. Need you be assured that precisely124 those who continue faithful to them in their misfortunes would in like manner be ashamed not to requite125 you with gratitude126? And if we seem to be but small states, who are willing to share their dangers with them, lay to heart that there is a speedy cure for this defect: with the accession of your city the reproach that, in spite of all our assistance, we are but small cities, will cease to be.
“For my part, men of Athens, I have hitherto on hearsay127 admired and envied this great state, whither, I was told, every one who was wronged or stood in terror of aught needed only to betake himself and he would obtain assistance. To-day I no longer hear, I am present myself and see these famous citizens of Lacedaemon here, and by their side their trustiest friends, who have come to you, and ask you in their day of need to give them help. I see Thebans also, the same who in days bygone failed to persuade the Lacedaemonians to reduce you to absolute slavery,628 today asking you to suffer those who saved you to be destroyed.
“That was a great deed and of fair renown128, attributed in old story to your ancestors, that they did not suffer those Argives who died on the Cadmeia629 to lie unburied; but a fairer wreath of glory would you weave for your own brows if you suffer not these still living Lacedaemonians to be trampled129 under the heel of insolence130 and destroyed. Fair, also, was that achievement when you stayed the insolence of Eurystheus and saved the sons of Heracles;630 but fairer still than that will your deed be if you rescue from destruction, not the primal131 authors631 merely, but the whole city which they founded; fairest of all, if because yesterday the Lacedaemonians won you your preservation132 by a vote which cost them nothing, you today shall bring them help with arms, and at the price of peril133. It is a proud day for some of us to stand here and give what aid we can in pleading for asistance to brave men. What, then, must you feel, who in very deed are able to render that assistance! How generous on your parts, who have been so often the friends and foes of Lacedaemon, to forget the injury and remember only the good they have done! How noble of you to repay, not for yourelves only, but for the sake of Hellas, the debt due to those who proved themselves good men and true in her behalf!”
After these speeches the Athenians deliberated, and though there was opposition, the arguments of gainsayers632 fell upon deaf ears. The assembly finally passed a decree to send assistance to Lacedaemon in force, and they chose Iphicrates general. Then followed the preliminary sacrifices, and then the general’s order to his troops to take the evening meal in the grove134 of the Academy.633 But the general himself, it is said, was in no hurry to leave the city; many were found at their posts before him. Presently, however, he put himself at the head of his troops, and the men followed cheerily, in firm persuasion79 that he was about to lead them to some noble exploit. On arrival at Corinth he frittered away some days, and there was a momentary135 outburst of discontent at so much waste of precious time; but as soon as he led the troops out of Corinth there was an obvious rebound136. The men responded to all orders with enthusiasm, heartily137 following their general’s lead, and attacking whatever fortified138 place he might confront them with.
And now reverting139 to the hostile forces on Laconian territory, we find that the Arcadians, Argives, and Eleians had retired in large numbers. They had every inducement so to do since their homes bordered on Laconia; and off they went, driving or carrying whatever they had looted. The Thebans and the rest were no less anxious to get out of the country, though for other reasons, partly because the army was melting away under their eyes day by day, partly because the necessities of life were growing daily scantier140, so much had been either fairly eaten up and pillaged141 or else recklessly squandered142 and reduced to ashes. Besides this, it was winter; so that on every ground there was a general desire by this time to get away home.
As son as the enemy began his retreat from Laconian soil, Iphicrates imitated his movement, and began leading back his troops out of Arcadia into Corinthia. Iphicrates exhibited much good generalship, no doubt, with which I have no sort of fault to find. But it is not so with that final feature of the campaign to which we are now come. Here I find his strategy either meaningless in intent or inadequate143 in execution. He made an attempt to keep guard at Oneion, in order to prevent the Boeotians making their way out homewards; but left meanwhile far the best passage through Cenchreae unguarded. Again, when he wished to discover whether or not the Thebans had passed Oneion, he sent out on a reconnaissance the whole of the Athenian and Corinthian cavalry; whereas, for the object in view, the eyes of a small detachment would have been as useful as a whole regiment;634 and when it came to falling back, clearly the smaller number had a better chance of hitting on a traversable road, and so effecting the desired movement quietly. But the height of folly144 seems to have been reached when he threw into the path of the enemy a large body of troops which were still too weak to cope with him. As a matter of fact, this body of cavalry, owing to their very numbers, could not help covering a large space of ground; and when it became necessary to retire, had to cling to a series of difficult positions in succession, so that they lost not fewer than twenty horsemen.635 It was thus the Thebans effected their object and retired from Peloponnese.
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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gainsaying
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的现在分词 ) | |
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administrators
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| n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师 | |
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8
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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10
fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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11
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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12
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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13
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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14
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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15
valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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16
component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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17
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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18
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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19
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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20
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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21
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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22
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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23
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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24
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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25
assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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26
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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27
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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28
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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29
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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30
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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32
contingents
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| （志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队 | |
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33
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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34
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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35
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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36
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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37
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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38
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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39
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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40
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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41
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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42
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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43
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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44
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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45
swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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47
ravaging
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| 毁坏( ravage的现在分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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48
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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49
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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50
coalesce
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| v.联合，结合，合并 | |
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51
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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52
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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53
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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54
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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55
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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57
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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58
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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59
ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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60
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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61
provincials
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| n.首都以外的人，地区居民( provincial的名词复数 ) | |
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62
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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63
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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64
extolling
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| v.赞美( extoll的现在分词 )；赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的现在分词 ) | |
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65
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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66
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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67
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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68
justifying
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|
| 证明…有理( justify的现在分词 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护） | |
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69
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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70
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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71
deserted
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|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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72
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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74
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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75
garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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76
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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77
spartans
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| n.斯巴达（spartan的复数形式） | |
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78
persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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79
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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80
pillaging
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的现在分词 ) | |
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81
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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82
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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83
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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84
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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85
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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86
incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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87
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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88
levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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89
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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90
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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91
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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92
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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94
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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95
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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96
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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97
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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99
enumerating
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的现在分词 ) | |
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100
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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101
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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102
barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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103
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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104
concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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105
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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106
necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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108
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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109
filched
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| v.偷（尤指小的或不贵重的物品）( filch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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111
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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112
onerous
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| adj.繁重的 | |
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113
antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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114
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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115
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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116
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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117
jointly
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| ad.联合地，共同地 | |
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118
attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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119
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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120
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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121
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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122
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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123
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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124
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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125
requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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126
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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127
hearsay
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| n.谣传，风闻 | |
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128
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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129
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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130
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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131
primal
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| adj.原始的；最重要的 | |
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132
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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134
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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135
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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136
rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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137
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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138
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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139
reverting
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| 恢复( revert的现在分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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140
scantier
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| adj.（大小或数量）不足的，勉强够的( scanty的比较级 ) | |
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141
pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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143
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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144
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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