air of assurance to the magistrates, as void of fear, and unconscious of offence.

Charon was a man of intrepid courage in dangers which threatened only himself; but at that time, terrified for his friends, and apprehending also that he should be suspected of some treachery, if so many brave citizens, whom he had received into his house, should be destroyed, he went to his wife's apartment, and fetched his only son, of 15 years old at most, who in beauty and strength excelled all the youths of his age, and put him into the hands of Pelopidas, saying at the same time, "if you "discover that I have betrayed you, and have been guilty of treachery upon this occasion, revenge yourselves on me in this my only son, whom, as dear as he is to me, I abandon to you, and let him fall a victim with"out mercy to his father's perfidy."

tr

These expressions wounded them to the heart: but what gave them the most sensible pain, was his imagining there was any one amongst them so mean and ungrateful as to form to himself the least suspicion in regard to him. They conjured him unanimously not to leave his son with them, but to put him into some place of safety, that his friends and country might not want an avenger, if he should be so fortunate as to escape the tyrants. "No," replied the father, "he shall stay with you, and share your fate. If he must perish, what nobler end can he make, than "with his father and best friends? For you, my son, exert yourself be"yond your years, and show a courage worthy of you and me. You 66 see here the most excellent of the Thebans. Make under such masters (6 a noble essay of glory, and learn to fight; or, if it must be so, to die, "like them, for liberty. For the rest, I am not without hopes; for I believe, that the justice of our cause will draw down the favour and pro"tection of the gods upon us." He concluded with a prayer for them, and after embracing the conspirators went out.

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He took pains on his way to recover himself, and to compose his looks and voice, that he might not appear under any concern. When he came to the door of the house where the feast was kept, Archias and Philidas came out to him, and asked the meaning of a report, that disaffected people were arrived in the city, and were concealed in some house. He seemed astonished; and finding by their answers to his questions that they had no precise information of any thing, he assumed a bolder tone, and said, "it is very likely the report you speak of is only a false alarm, in"tended to interrupt your mirth: however, as it ought not to be neglected, I will go immediately and make the strictest inquiry possible into "it." Philidas praised his prudence and zeal; and carrying Archias back into the company, he plunged him again in the debauch, and continued the entertainment, by keeping the guests in continual expectation of the women he had promised them.

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Charon, on his return home, found his friends all prepared, not to conquer or to save their lives, but to die gloriously, and to sell themselves as dear as they could. The serenity and joy of his look explained be forehand that they had nothing to fear. He repeated all that had passed; after which, they had no thoughts but of the instant execution of a design, to which the least delay might occasion a thousand obstacles.

In effect, at that very instant happened a second storm, far more vioJent than the first, and which seemed as if it could not possibly fail of making the enterprise miscarry. A courier from Athens arrived in great haste with a packet, which contained a circumstantial account of the whole conspiracy, as was afterwards discovered. That courier was

brought first to Archias, who was far gone in wine, and breathed nothing but pleasure and the bottle. In giving him his dispatches, he said, my "lord, the person who writes you these letters, conjures you to read them "immediately, being serious affairs." Archias replied, laughing, “* se"rious affairs to-morrow:" which words were afterwards used by the Greeks as a proverb: and taking the letters he put them † under his pillow, and continued the conversation and debauch.

The conspirators were at that time in the streets, divided into two parties; the one, with Pelopidas at their head, marched against Leontides, who was not at the feast; the other against Archias, under the command of Charon. These had put on women's habits over their armour, and crowned themselves with pine and poplar wreaths, which entirely covered their faces. When they came to the door of the apartment where the feast was kept, the guests made a great noise, and set up loud shouts of joy. But they were told that the women would not come in till the servants were all dismissed, which was done immediately. They were sent to neighbouring houses, where there was no want of wine for their entertainment. The conspirators by this stratagem, having made themselves masters of the field of battle, entered sword in hand, and showing themselves in their true colours, put all the guests to the sword, and with them the magistrates, who were full of wine, and in no condition to defend themselves. Pelopidas met with more resistance. Leontides, who was asleep in bed, awaked with the noise that was made, and rising immediately, armed himself with his sword, and laid some of the conspirators at his feet; at last killed himself.

but was

This grand affair being executed in this manner, with so much dispatch and success, couriers were immediately dispatched to Thriasium. The doors of the prisons were broke open, and 500 prisoners let out. The Thebans were called upon to resume the liberty, and arms were given to all they met. The spoils affixed to their porticoes were taken down, and the armourers' and cutlers' shops, broke open for that purpose. Epaminondas and Gorgidas came in arms to join them, with some old persons of great estimation, whom they had got together.

The whole city was in great terror and confusion; the houses all illuminated with torches, and the streets thronged with the multitude passing to and fro. The people, in a consternation at what had happened, and for want of sufficient information, waited impatiently for the day to know their destiny. The Lacedæmonian captains were therefore thought guilty of a very great error in not falling upon them during their disorder; for the garrison consisted of 1500 men, besides 3000 who had taken refuge in the citadel. Alarmed by the cries they heard, the illuminations they saw in the houses, and the tumult of the multitude running backwards and forwards, they lay still and contented themselves with guarding the cit adel, after having sent couriers to Sparta with the news of what had happened, and to demand an immediate reinforcement.

The next day at sunrise the exiles arrived with their arms, and the people were summoned to assemble. Epaminondas and Gorgidas conducted Pelopidas thither, surrounded with all their sacrifices, carrying in their hands the sacred bandages and fillets, and exhorting the citizens to assist their country, and to join with their gods. At this sight the whole assembly rose up with loud acclamations and clapping of hands, and received

* Ουκέν εις αυριον, εφη, τα σπεδαια.

The Greeks ate lying on beds.

the conspirators as their benefactors aud deliverers. The same day, Pelopidas, Melon, and Charon, were elected bootarchs.

Soon after the exiles, arrived 5000 foot, and 500 horse, sent by the Athenians to Pelopidas, under the command of Demophoon. Those troops, with others which joined them from all the cities of Boeotia, composed an army of 12,000 foot, and as many horse and without loss of time besieged the citadel, that it might be taken before relief could come from Sparta.

The besieged made a vigorous defence, in hopes of a speedy succour, and seemed resolved rather to die than surrender the place: at least the Lacedæmonians were of that opinion; but they were not the greatest number of the garrison. When provisions began to fall short, and famine to press them, the rest of the troops obliged the Spartans to surrender. The garrison had their lives granted them, and were permitted to retire whither they thought fit. They were scarce marched out, when the aid arrived. The Lacedæmonians found Cleombrotus at Megara, at the head of a powerful army, which, with a little more expedition, might have saved the citadel. But this was not the first time the natural slowness of the Lacedæmonians had occasioned the miscarriage of their enterprises. The three commanders who had capitulated were tried. Two of them were punished with death, and the third had so great a fine laid upon him, that, not being able to pay it, he banished himself from Peloponnesus.

Pelopidas had all the honour of this great exploit, the most memorable that ever was executed by surprise and stratagem. Plutarch, with reason, compares it to that of Thrasybulus. Both exiles, destitute in themselves of all resource, and reduced to implore a foreign support, form the bold design of attacking a formidable power with an handful of men, and overcoming all obstacles to their enterprise solely by their valour, had each of them the good fortune to deliver their country, and to change the face of its affairs entirely. For the Athenians were indebted to Thrasybulus for that sudden and happy change, which freeing them from the oppres sion they groaned under, not only restored their liberty, but with it their ancient splendour, and put them into a condition to humble, and make Sparta tremble in their turn. We shall see in like manner, that the war which reduced the pride of Sparta, and deprived it of the empire both by sea and land, was the work of this single night, in which Pelopidas, without taking either citadel or fortress, and entering only one of twelve into a private house, unloosed and broke the chains imposed by the Lacedæmonians on all the other states of Greece, though it appeared impracticable ever to produce such an effect.

SECTION III.

SPHODRIAS FORMS A DESIGN AGAINST THE PIRÆUS.

THE Lacedæmonians,* after the injury they pretended to have received by the enterprise of Pelopidas, did not continue quiet, but applied themselves in earnest to their revenge. Agesilaus, rightly judging an expedition of that kind, of which the end was to support tyrants, would not reflect much honour upon him, left it to Cleombrotus, who had lately succeeded king Agesipolis, under pretence that his great age dispensed with his undertaking it. Cleombrotus entered Bootia with his army. The first Plut. in Ages. p.

*A. M 3627. Ant. J. C. 377. Xenoph. I. v. p. 568-572. 609, 610. Id. in Pelop. p. 281, 285.

campaign was not vigorous, and terminated in committing some ravages in the country; after which, the king retired, and detaching part of his troops to Sphodrias, who commanded at Thespiæ, returned to Sparta.

The Athenians, who did not think themselves in a condition to make head against the Lacedæmonians, and were afraid of the consequences in which their league with the Thebans was likely to engage them, repented their having entered into it, and renounced it. Those who persisted to adhere to the Theban party, were some imprisoned, some put to death, others banished, and the rich severely fined. The Theban affairs seemed almost desperate, not having any alliance to support them. Pelopidas and Gorgidas were then at the head of them, and were studious of finding means to embroil the Athenians with the Lacedæmonians; and this was the stratagem they contrived.

Sphodrias the Spartan, had been left at Thespiæ with a body of troops. to receive and protect such of the Boeotians as should revolt against Thebes. He had acquired some reputation among the soldiery, and wanted neither courage nor ambition; but he was rash, superficial, full of himself, and consequently apt to entertain vain hopes. Pelopidas and Gorgidas sent privately a merchant of his own acquaintance to him with the offer, as from himself, of a considerable sum of money, and with insinuations more agreeable to him than money, as they flattered his vanity. "After having represented to him, that one of his merit and reputation "ought to form some great enterprise to immortalize his name, he propos"ed to him the seizing of Piræus by surprise, when the Athenians had no expectation of such an attempt: he added, that nothing could be 66 more grateful to the Lacedæmonians than to see themselves masters "of Athens, and that the Thebans enraged at the Athenians, whom they "considered as traitors and deserters would lend them no assistance."

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Sphodrias, fond of acquiring a great name, and envying the glory of Phæbidas, who in his sense, had rendered himself renowned and illustrious by his unjust attempt upon Thebes, conceived it would be much more a shining and glorious exploit to seize the Piræus of his own accord, and deprive the Athenians of their great power at sea, by an unforeseen attack by land. He undertook the enterprise therefore with great joy; which was neither less unjust nor less horrid than that of the Cadmæa, but not executed with the same boldness and success. For having set out in the night from Thespiæ, with the view of surprising the Piræus be fore light, the day-break overtook him in the plain of Thriasium near Eleusis, and finding himself discovered, he returned shamefully to Thes piæ with some booty which he had taken.

The Athenians immediately sent ambassadors with their complaints to Sparta. These ambassadors found that the Lacedæmonians had not waited their arrival to accuse Sphodrias, but had already cited him before the council to answer for his conduct. He was afraid to obey that summons, having just reason to apprehend the issue of a trial, and the resentment of his country. He had a son, who had contracted a strict and tender friendship with the son of Agesilaus. The latter solicited his father so earnestly, or rather tormented him with such extreme importunity and perseverance, that he could not refuse Sphodrias his protection, and got him fully absolved. Agesilaus was little delicate, as we have seen already, in point of justice, when the service of his friends was in question. He was besides, of all mankind, the most tender and indulgent father to his chitdren. It is reported of him, that when they were little, he would play with them, and divert himself with riding upon a stick amongst them:

and that having been surprised by a friend in that action, he desired him not to tell any body of it till he himself was a father.

*The unjust sentence passed in favour of Sphodrias by the Spartans, exceedingly incensed the Athenians, and determined them to renew their alliance with Thebes immediately, and to assist them with all their power. They fitted out a fleet, and gave the command of it to Timotheus, son of the illustrious Conon, whose reputation he well sustained by his own valour and exploits. It was he whom his enemies, in envy of the glory he had acquired by his great actions, painted sleeping, with the goddess fortune at his feet, taking towns in nets for him: † but upon this occasion he proved that he was not asleep. After having ravaged the coast of Lacouia, he attacked the isle of Corcyra, which he took. He treated the inhabitants with great humanity, and made no alteration in their liberty or laws, which very much inclined the neighbouring cities in favour of Athens. The Spartans on their side made powerful preparations for the war, and were principally intent upon retaking Corcyra. Its happy situation between Sicily and Greece rendered that island very important. They therefore engaged Dionysius the tyrant in the expedition, and demanded aid of him. In the mean time they dispatched their fleet under Mnasippus. The Athenians sent 60 sail against them to the relief of Corcyra, under Timotheus at first; but soon after, upon his seeming to act too slowly, Iphicrates was substituted in his place. Mnasippus having made himself odious to his troops by his haughtiness, rigour and avarice, was very ill obeyed by them, and lost his life in an engagement. Iphicrates did not arrive till after his death, when he received advice, that the Syracusan squadron of ten galleys approached, which he attacked so successfully, that not one of them escaped. He had demanded, that the orator Callistratus, and Chabrias, one of the most renowned captains of his time, should be joined in commission with him. Xenophon admires his wisdom and greatness of soul upon that account, in being satisfied with appearing to have occasion for counsel, and not apprehending to share the glories of his victories with others.

Agesilaus had been prevailed upon to take upon him the command of the troops against Thebes. He entered Bootia, where he did abundance of damage to the Thebans, not without considerable loss on his own side. The two armies came every day to blows, and were perpetually engaged, though not in formal battle, yet in skirmishes which served to instruct the Thebans in the trade of war, and to inspire them with valour, boldness and experience. It is reported that the Spartan Antalcides told Agesilaus very justly upon this head, when he was brought back from Boeotia much wounded, 66 my lord Agesilaus, you have a fine reward for "the lessons you have given the Thebans in the art of war, which be"fore you taught it them, they neither would nor could learn." It was to prevent this inconvenience, that Lycurgus, in one of the three laws which he calls rhetræ, forbade the Lacedæmonians to make war often upon the same enemy, lest they should make them too good soldiers by obliging them to the frequent defence of themselves.

Several campaigns passed in this manner without any thing decisive on either side. It was prudent in the Theban generals not to hazard a battle hitherto, and to give their soldiers time to inure and embolden themselves,

Xenoph. 1. v. p. 584-589. Plut. in Ages. p. 610, 611. Id. in Pelop. p. 285