TheyascribedtoAemilius’sconquestofMacedoniathismostacceptablebenefittothepeople，thathebroughtsovastaquantityofmoneyintothepublictreasury，thattheyneverpaidanytaxes，untilHirtiusandPansawereconsuls，whichwasinthefirstwarbetweenAntonyandCaesar。ThisalsowaspeculiarandremarkableinAemilius，thatthoughhewasextremelybelovedandhonouredbythepeople，yethealwayssidedwiththenobles；norwouldheeithersayordoanythingtoingratiatehimselfwiththemultitude，butconstantlyadheredtothenobility，inallpoliticalmatters，whichinaftertimeswascastinScipioAfricanus’steethbyAppius；thesetwobeingintheirtimethemostconsiderablemeninthecity，andstandingincompetitionfortheofficeofcensor。Theonehadonhissidethenoblesandthesenate，towhichpartytheAppiiwerealwaysattached；theother，althoughhisowninterestwasgreat，yetmadeuseofthefavourandloveofthepeople。When，therefore，AppiussawScipiocometothemarket—place，surroundedwithmenofmeanrank，andsuchaswerebutnewlymadefree，yetwereveryfittomanageadebate，togathertogethertherabble，andtocarrywhatsoevertheydesignedbyimportunityandnoise，cryingoutwithaloudvoice:
"Groannow，"saidhe，"OAemiliusPaulus，ifyouhaveknowledgeinyourgraveofwhatisdoneabove，thatyoursonaspirestobecensor，bythehelpofAemilius，thecommoncrier，andLiciniusPhilonicus。"Scipioalwayshadthegoodwillofthepeople，becausehewasconstantlyheapingfavoursonthem；butAemilius，althoughhestilltookpartwiththenobles，yetwasasmuchthepeople’sfavouriteasthosewhomostsoughtpopularityandusedeveryarttoobtainit。Thistheymademanifest，when，amongstotherdignities，theythoughthimworthyoftheofficeofcensor，atrustaccountedmostsacredandofgreatauthority，aswellinotherthings，asinthestrictexaminationintomen’slives。Forthecensorshadpowertoexpelasenator，andenrolwhomtheyjudgedmostfitinhisroom，andtodisgracesuchyoungmenaslivedlicentiously，bytakingawaytheirhorses。Besidesthis，theyweretovalueandassesseachman’sestate，andregisterthenumberofthepeople。TherewerenumberedbyAemilius347，452men。HedeclaredMarcusAemiliusLepidusfirstsenator，whohadalreadyfourtimesheldthathonour，andheremovedfromtheirofficethreeofthesenatorsoftheleastnote。Thesamemoderationheandhisfellow—censor，MarciusPhilippus，usedatthemusteroftheknights。
Whilsthewasthusbusyaboutmanyandweightyaffairshefellsickofadisease，whichatfirstseemedhazardous；andalthoughafterawhileitprovedwithoutdanger，yetwastroublesomeanddifficulttobecured:sothatbytheadviceofhisphysicianshesailedtoVelia，insouthItaly，andtheredweltalongtimenearthesea，whereheenjoyedallpossiblequietness。TheRomans，inthemeanwhile，longedforhisreturn，andoftentimesbytheirexpressionsinthetheatresgavepublictestimonyoftheirgreatdesireandimpatiencetoseehim。When，therefore，thetimedrewnighthatasolemnsacrificewasofnecessitytobeoffered，andhefound，ashethought，hisbodystrongenough，hecamebackagaintoRome，andthereperformedtheholyriteswiththerestofthepriests，thepeopleinthemeantimecrowdingabouthimandcongratulatinghisreturn。Thenextdayhesacrificedagaintothegodsforhisrecovery；and，havingfinishedthesacrifice，returnedtohishouseandsatdowntodinner，when，allonasuddenandwhennochangewasexpected，hefellintoafitofdelirium，and，beingquitedeprivedofhissenses，thethirddayafterendedalifeinwhichhehadwantednomannerofthingwhichisthoughttoconducttohappiness。Nay，hisveryfuneralpomphadsomethinginitremarkableandtobeadmired，andhisvirtuewasgracedwiththemostsolemnandhappyritesathisburial；consisting，notingoldandivory，orintheusualsumptuousnessandsplendourofsuchpreparations，butinthegoodwill，honour，andlove，notonlyofhisfellow—citizens，butofhisenemiesthemselves。ForasmanySpaniards，Ligurians，andMacedoniansashappenedtobepresentatthesolemnity，thatwereyoungandofvigorousbodies，tookupthebierandcarriedit；whilstthemoreagedfollowed，calledAemiliusthebenefactorandpreserveroftheircountries。Fornotonlyatthetimeofhisconquesthadheactedtoallwithkindnessandclemency，but，throughthewholecourseofhislife，hecontinuedtodothemgoodandlookaftertheirconcerns，asiftheyhadbeenhisfamiliarsandrelations。Theyreportthatthewholeofhisestatescarceamountedtothreehundredandseventythousanddrachmas；towhichhelefthistwosonsco—heirs；butScipio，whowastheyoungest，beingadoptedintothemorewealthyfamilyofAfricanus，gaveitalltohisbrother。SucharesaidtohavebeenthelifeandmannersofAemilius。
THEEND
75AD
AGESILAUS
485—401B。C。
byPlutarchtranslatedbyJohnDrydenAGESILAUS
ARCHIDAMUS，thesonofZeuxidamus，havingreignedgloriouslyovertheLacedaemonians，leftbehindhimtwosons，Agistheelder，begottenofLampido，anoblelady，Agesilaus，muchtheyounger，bornofEupolia，thedaughterofMelesippidas。NowthesuccessionbelongingtoAgisbylaw，Agesilaus，whoinallprobabilitywastobebutaprivateman，waseducatedaccordingtotheusualdisciplineofthecountry，hardandsevere，andmeanttoteachyoungmentoobeytheirsuperiors。
Whenceitwasthat，mensay，SimonidescalledSparta"thetamerofmen，"becausebyearlystrictnessofeducationthey，morethananynation，trainedthecitizenstoobediencetothelaws，andmadethemtractableandpatientofsubjection，ashorsesthatarebrokeninwhilecolts。Thelawdidnotimposethisharshruleontheheirsapparentofthekingdom。ButAgesilaus，whosegoodfortuneitwastobebornayoungerbrother，wasconsequentlybredtoalltheartsofobedience，andsothebetterfittedforthegovernment，whenitfelltohisshare；henceitwasthatheprovedthemostpopular—temperedoftheSpartankings，hisearlylifehavingaddedtohisnaturalkinglyandcommandingqualitiesthegentleandhumanefeelingsofacitizen。
Whilehewasyetaboy，bredupinoneofwhatarecalledtheflocks，orclasses，heattractedtheattachmentofLysander，whowasparticularlystruckwiththeorderlytemperthathemanifested。Forthoughhewasoneofthehighestspirits，emulousaboveanyofhiscompanions，ambitiousofpre—eminenceineverything，andshowedanimpetuosityandfervourofmindwhichirresistiblycarriedhimthroughalloppositionordifficultyhecouldmeetwith；yet，ontheotherside，hewassoeasyandgentleinhisnature，andsoapttoyieldtoauthority，thatthoughhewoulddonothingoncompulsion，uponingenuousmotiveshewouldobeyanycommands，andwasmorehurtbytheleastrebukeordisgracethanhewasdistressedbyanytoilorhardship。
Hehadonelegshorterthantheother，butthisdeformitywaslittleobservedinthegeneralbeautyofhispersoninyouth。Andtheeasywayinwhichhebore（hebeingthefirstalwaystopassajestuponhimself）wentfartomakeitdisregarded。Andindeedhishighspiritandeagernesstodistinguishhimselfwereallthemoreconspicuousbyit，sinceheneverlethislamenesswithholdhimfromanytoiloranybraveaction。Neitherhisstatuenorpictureareextant，heneverallowingtheminhislife，andutterlyforbiddingthemtobemadeafterhisdeath。Heissaidtohavebeenalittleman，ofacontemptiblepresence；butthegoodnessofhishumour，andhisconstantcheerfulnessandplayfulnessoftemper，alwaysfreefromanythingofmorosenessorhaughtiness，madehimmoreattractive，eventohisoldage，thanthemostbeautifulandyouthfulmenofthenation。TheophrastuswritesthattheEphorslaidafineuponArchidamusformarryingalittlewife，"For，"saidthey，"shewillbringusaraceofkinglets，insteadofkings。"
WhilstAgis，theelderbrother，reigned，Alcibiades，beingthenanexilefromAthens，camefromSicilytoSparta；norhadhestayedlongtherebeforehisfamiliaritywithTimaea，theking’swife，grewsuspected，insomuchthatAgisrefusedtoownachildofhers，which，hesaid，wasAlcibiades’s，nothis。Nor，ifwemaybelieveDuris，thehistorian，wasTimaeamuchconcernedatit，beingherselfforwardenoughtowhisperamongherhelotmaid—servantsthattheinfant’struenamewasAlcibiades，notLeotychides。Meanwhileitwasbelievedthattheamourhehadwithherwasnottheeffectofhislovebutofhisambition，thathemighthaveSpartankingsofhisposterity。Thisaffairbeinggrownpublic，itbecameneedfulforAlcibiadestowithdrawfromSparta。ButthechildLeotychideshadnotthehonoursduetoalegitimatesonpaidhim，norwasheeverownedbyAgis，tillbyhisprayersandtearsheprevailedwithhimtodeclarehimhissonbeforeseveralwitnessesuponhisdeathbed。ButthisdidnotavailtofixhiminthethroneofAgis，afterwhosedeathLysander，whohadlatelyachievedhisconquestofAthensbysea，andwasofthegreatestpowerinSparta，promotedAgesilaus，urgingLeotychides’sbastardyasabartohispretensions。Manyoftheothercitizens，also，werefavourabletoAgesilaus，andzealouslyjoinedhisparty，inducedbytheopiniontheyhadofhismerits，ofwhichtheythemselveshadbeenspectators，inthetimethathehadbeenbredupamongthem。Buttherewasaman，namedDiopithes，atSparta，whohadagreatknowledgeofancientoracles，andwasthoughtparticularlyskilfulandcleverinallpointsofreligionanddivination。Healleged，thatitwasunlawfultomakealamemankingofLacedaemon，citinginthedebatethefollowingoracle:—
"Beware，greatSparta，lesttherecomeofthee，Thoughsoundthyself，anhaltingsovereignty:
Troubles，bothlongandunexpectedtoo，Andstormsofdeadlywarfareshallensue。"
ButLysanderwasnotwantingwithanevasion，allegingthatiftheSpartanswerereallyapprehensiveoftheoracle，theymusthaveacareofLeotychides；foritwasnotthelimpingfootofakingthatthegodscaredabout，butthepurityoftheHerculeanfamily，intowhoserights，ifaspuriousissuewereadmitted，itwouldmakethekingdomtohaltindeed，AgesilauslikewiseallegedthatthebastardyofLeotychideswaswitnessedtobyNeptune，whothrewAgisoutofbedbyaviolentearthquake，afterwhichtimeheceasedtovisithiswife，yetLeotychideswasbornabovetenmonthsafterthis。
Agesilauswasupontheseallegationsdeclaredking，andsoonpossessedhimselfoftheprivateestateofAgis，aswellashisthrone，Leotychidesbeingwhollyrejectedasabastard。Henowturnedhisattentiontohiskindredbythemother’sside，personsofworthandvirtue，butmiserablypoor。Tothemhegavehalfhisbrother’sestate，andbythispopularactgainedgeneralgood—willandreputation，intheplaceoftheenvyandill—feelingwhichtheinheritancemightotherwisehaveprocuredhim。WhatXenophontellsusofhim，thatbycomplyingwith，and，asitwere，beingruledbyhiscountry，hegrewintosuchgreatpowerwiththem，thathecoulddowhathepleased，ismeanttoapplytothepowerhegainedinthefollowingmannerwiththeEphorsandElders。Thesewereatthattimeofthegreatestauthorityinthestate；theformer，officersannuallychosen；theElders，holdingtheirplacesduringlife；bothinstituted，asalreadytoldinthelifeofLycurgus，torestrainthepowerofthekings。Henceitwasthattherewasalwaysfromgenerationtogenerationafeudandcontentionbetweenthemandthekings。ButAgesilaustookanothercourse。Insteadofcontendingwiththem，hecourtedtheminallproceedingshecommencedbytakingtheiradvice，wasalwaysreadytogo，nayalmostrun，whentheycalledhim；ifhewereuponhisroyalseat，hearingcauses，andtheEphorscamein，herosetothem；wheneveranymanwaselectedintotheCouncilofEldershepresentedhimwithagownandanox。Thus，whilsthemadeashowofdeferencetothem，andofadesiretoextendtheirauthority，hesecretlyadvancedhisown，andenlargedtheprerogativesofthekingsbyseverallibertieswhichtheirfriendshiptohispersonconceded。
Toothercitizenshesobehavedhimselfastobelessblamableinhisenmitiesthaninhisfriendships；foragainsthisenemyheforboretotakeanyunjustadvantage，buthisfriendshewouldassist，eveninwhatwasunjust。Ifanenemyhaddoneanythingpraiseworthy，hefeltitshamefultodetractfromhisdue，buthisfriendsheknewnothowtoreprovewhentheydidill，nay，hewouldeagerlyjoinwiththem，andassistthemintheirmisdeed，andthoughtallofficesoffriendshipcommendable，letthematterinwhichtheywereemployedbewhatitwould。Again，whenanyofhisadversarieswasovertakeninafault，hewouldbethefirsttopityhim；andhesoonentreatedtoprocurehispardon，bywhichhewontheheartsofallmen。InsomuchthathispopularitygrewatlastsuspectedbytheEphors，wholaidafineonhim，professingthathewasappropriatingthecitizenstohimselfwhooughttobethecommonpropertyofthestate。Forasitistheopinionofphilosophers，thatcouldyoutakeawaystrifeandoppositionoutoftheuniverse，alltheheavenlybodieswouldstandstill，generationandmotionwouldceaseinthemutualconcordandagreementofallthings，sotheSpartanlegislatorseemstohaveadmittedambitionandemulationamongtheingredientsofhiscommonwealth，astheincentivesofvirtue，distinctlywishingthatthereshouldbesomedisputeandcompetitionamonghismenofworth，andpronouncingthemereidle，uncontested，mutualcompliancetounproveddesertstobebutafalsesortofconcord。AndsomethinkHomerhadaneyetothiswhenheintroducesAgamemnonwellpleasedwiththequarrelarisingbetweenUlyssesandAchilles，andwiththe"terriblewords"thatpassedbetweenthem，whichhewouldneverhavedone，unlesshehadthoughtemulationanddissensionsbetweenthenoblestmentobeofgreatpublicbenefit。Yetthismaximisnotsimplytobegranted，withoutrestriction，forifanimositiesgotoofartheyareverydangeroustocitiesandofmostperniciousconsequence。
WhenAgesilauswasnewlyentereduponthegovernment，therecamenewsfromAsiathatthePersiankingwasmakinggreatnavalpreparations，resolvingwithahighhandtodispossesstheSpartansoftheirmaritimesupremacy。LysanderwaseagerfortheopportunityofgoingoverandsuccouringhisfriendsinAsia，whomhehadthereleftgovernorsandmastersofthecities，whosemaladministrationandtyrannicalbehaviourwascausingthemtobedrivenout，andinsomecasesputtodeath。HethereforepersuadedAgesilaustoclaimthecommandoftheexpedition，andbycarryingthewarfromGreeceintoPersia，toanticipatethedesignsofthebarbarian。HealsowrotetohisfriendsinAsia，thatbyembassytheyshoulddemandAgesilausfortheircaptain。Agesilaus，therefore，comingintothepublicassembly，offeredhisservice，uponconditionthathemighthavethirtySpartansforcaptainsandcounsellors；twothousandchosenmenofthenewlyenfranchisedhelots，andalliestothenumberofsixthousand。Lysander’sauthorityandassistancesoonobtainedhisrequest，sothathewassentawaywiththethirtySpartans，ofwhomLysanderwasatoncethechief，notonlybecauseofhispowerandreputation，butalsoonaccountofhisfriendshipwithAgesilaus，whoesteemedhisprocuringhimthischargeagreaterobligationthanthatofpreferringhimtothekingdom。
WhilstthearmywascollectingtotherendezvousatGeraestus，AgesilauswentwithsomeofhisfriendstoAulis，whereinadreamhesawamanapproachhim，andspeaktohimafterthismanner:"OkingoftheLacedaemonians，youcannotbutknowthat，beforeyourself，therehathbeenbutonegeneralcaptainofthewholeoftheGreeks，namely，Agamemnon；now，sinceyousucceedhiminthesameofficeandcommandthesamemen，sinceyouwaragainstthesameenemies，andbeginyourexpeditionfromthesameplace，yououghtalsotooffersuchasacrificeasheofferedbeforeheweighedanchor。"AgesilausatthesamemomentrememberedthatthesacrificewhichAgamemnonofferedwashisowndaughter，hebeingsodirectedbytheoracle。
Yetwashenotatalldisturbedbyit，butassoonashearose，hetoldhisdreamtohisfriends，addingthathewouldpropitiatethegoddesswiththesacrificesagoddessmustdelightin，andwouldnotfollowtheignorantexampleofhispredecessor。Hethereforeorderedanhindtobecrownedwithchaplets，andbadehisownsoothsayerperformtherite，nottheusualpersonwhomtheBoeotians，inordinarycourse，appointedtothatoffice。WhentheBoeotianmagistratesunderstoodit，theyweremuchoffended，andsentofficerstoAgesilaustoforbidhissacrificingcontrarytothelawsofthecountry。
These，havingdeliveredtheirmessagetohim，immediatelywenttothealtarandthrewdownthequartersofthehindthatlayuponit。
Agesilaustookthisveryill，andwithoutfurthersacrificeimmediatelysailedaway，highlydispleasedwiththeBoeotians，andmuchdiscouragedinhismindattheomen，bodingtohimselfanunsuccessfulvoyageandanimperfectissueofthewholeexpedition。
WhenhecametoEphesus，hefoundthepowerandinterestofLysander，andthehonourspaidtohim，insufferablygreat；allapplicationsweremadetohim，crowdsofsuitorsattendedathisdoor，andfolloweduponhissteps，asifnothingbutthemerenameofcommanderbelonged，tosatisfytheusage，toAgesilaus，thewholepowerofitbeingdevolveduponLysander。NoneofallthecommandersthathadbeensentintoAsiawaseithersopowerfulorsoformidableashe；noonehadrewardedhisfriendsbetter，orhadbeenmoresevereagainsthisenemies；whichthingshavingbeenlatelydone，madethegreaterimpressiononmen’sminds，especiallywhentheycomparedthesimpleandpopularbehaviourofAgesilauswiththeharshandviolentandbrief—spokendemeanourwhichLysanderstillretained。Universalpreferencewasyieldedtothis，andlittleregardshowntoAgesilaus。ThisfirstoccasionedoffencetotheotherSpartancaptains，whoresentedthattheyshouldratherseemtheattendantsofLysander，thanthecouncillorsofAgesilaus。AndatlengthAgesilaushimself，thoughnotperhapsanenviousmaninhisnature，norapttobetroubledatthehonoursredoundinguponothermen，yeteagerforhonourandjealousofhisglory，begantoapprehendthatLysander’sgreatnesswouldcarryawayfromhimthereputationofwhatevergreatactionshouldhappen。Hethereforewentthiswaytowork。Hefirstopposedhiminallhiscounsels；whateverLysanderspeciallyadvisedwasrejected，andotherproposalsfollowed。Thenwhoevermadeanyaddresstohim，ifhefoundhimattachedtoLysander，certainlylosthissuit。Soalsoinjudicialcases，anyonewhomhespokestronglyagainstwassuretocomeoffwithsuccess，andanymanwhomhewasparticularlysolicitoustoprocuresomebenefitformightthinkitwellifhegotawaywithoutanactualloss。
Thesethingsbeingclearlynotdonebychance，butconstantlyandofasetpurpose，Lysanderwassoonsensibleofthem，andhesitatednottotellhisfriends，thattheysufferedforhissake，biddingthemapplythemselvestotheking，andsuchasweremorepowerfulwithhimthanhewas。Suchsayingsofhisseemingtobedesignedpurposelytoexciteill—feeling，Agesilauswentontoofferhimselfamoreopenaffront，appointinghimhismeat—carver，andwouldinpubliccompanies，scornfullysay，"Letthemgonowandpaytheircourttomycarver。"Lysander，nolongerabletobrooktheseindignities，complainedatlasttoAgesilaushimself，tellinghimthatheknewverywellhowtohumblehisfriends。Agesilausanswered，"Iknowcertainlyhowtohumblethosewhopretendtomorepowerthanmyself。""That，"repliedLysander，"isperhapsrathersaidbyyou，thandonebyme:IdesireonlythatyouwillassignmesomeofficeandplaceinwhichImayserveyouwithoutincurringyourdispleasure。"
UponthisAgesilaussenthimtotheHellespont，whenceheprocuredSpithridates，aPersianoftheprovinceofPharnabazus，tocometotheassistanceoftheGreekswithtwohundredhorseandagreatsupplyofmoney。Yethisangerdidnotsocomedown，buthethenceforwardpursuedthedesignofwrestingthekingdomoutofthehandsofthetwofamilieswhichthenenjoyedit，andmakingitwhollyelective；anditisthoughtthathewouldonaccountofhisquarrelhaveexcitedagreatcommotioninSparta，ifhehadnotdiedintheBoeotianwar。
Thusambitiousspiritsinacommonwealth，whentheytransgresstheirbounds，areapttodomoreharmthangood。ForthoughLysander’sprideandassumptionwasmostill—timedandinsufferableinitsdisplay，yetAgesilaussurelycouldhavefoundsomeotherwayofsettinghimright，lessoffensivetoamanofhisreputationandambitioustemper。Indeedtheywerebothblindedwiththesamepassion，soasonenottorecognizetheauthorityofhissuperior，theothernottobearwiththeimperfectionsofhisfriend。
Tisaphernes，beingatfirstafraidofAgesilaus，treatedwithhimaboutsettingtheGreciancitiesatliberty，whichwasagreedon。
Butsoonafterfindingasufficientforcedrawntogether，heresolveduponwar，forwhichAgesilauswasnotsorry。Fortheexpectationofthisexpeditionwasgreat，andhedidnotthinkitforhishonourthatXenophonwithtenthousandmenshouldmarchthroughtheheartofAsiatothesea，beatingthePersianforceswhenandhowhepleased，andthatheattheheadoftheSpartans，thensovereignsbothatseaandland，shouldnotachievesomememorableactionforGreece。AndsotobeevenwithTisaphernes，herequiteshisperjurybyafairstratagem。HepretendstomarchintoCaria，whither，whenhehasdrawnTisaphernesandhisarmy，hesuddenlyturnsback，andfallsuponPhrygia，takesmanyoftheircities，andcarriesawaygreatbooty，showinghisalliesthattobreakasolemnleaguewasadownrightcontemptofthegods，butthecircumventionofanenemyinwarwasnotonlyjustbutglorious，agratificationatonceandanadvantage。
Beingweakinhorse，anddiscouragedbyill—omensinthesacrifices，heretiredtoEphesus，andthereraisedcavalry。Heobligedtherichmen，thatwerenotinclinedtoserveinperson，tofindeachofthemahorsemanarmedandmounted，andtherebeingmanywhopreferreddoingthis，thearmywasquicklyreinforcedbyabody，notofunwillingrecruitsfortheinfantry，butofbraveandnumeroushorsemen。Forthosethatwerenotgoodatfightingthemselveshiredsuchasweremoremilitaryintheirinclinations，andsuchaslovednothorse—servicesubstitutedintheirplacessuchasdid。Agamemnon’sexamplehadbeenagoodone，whenhetookthepresentofanexcellentmaretodismissarichcowardfromthearmy。
WhenbyAgesilaus’sordertheprisonershehadtakeninPhrygiawereexposedtosale，theywerefirststrippedoftheirgarmentsandthensoldnaked。Theclothesfoundmanycustomerstobuythem，butthebodiesbeing，fromthewantofallexposureandexercise，whiteandtender—skinned，werederidedandscornedasunserviceable，Agesilaus，whostoodbyattheauction，toldhisGreeks，"Thesearethemenagainstwhomyefight，andthesethethingsyouwillgainbyit。"
Theseasonoftheyearbeingcome，heboldlygaveoutthathewouldinvadeLydia；andthisplaindealingofhiswasnowmistakenforastratagembyTisaphernes，whobynotbelievingAgesilaus，havingbeenalreadydeceivedbyhim，overreachedhimself。HeexpectedthatheshouldhavemadechoiceofCaria，asaroughcountry，notfitforhorse，inwhichhedeemedAgesilaustobeweak，anddirectedhisownmarchesaccordingly。Butwhenhefoundhimtobeasgoodashisword，andtohaveenteredintothecountryofSardis，hemadegreathasteafterhim，andbygreatmarchesofhishorse，overtakingtheloosestragglerswhowerepillagingthecountry，hecutthemoff。
Agesilausmeanwhile，consideringthatthehorsehadoutriddenthefoot，butthathehimselfhadthewholebodyofhisownarmyentire，madehastetoengagethem。Hemingledhislight—armedfoot，carryingtargets，withthehorse，commandingthemtoadvanceatfullspeedandbeginthebattle，whilsthebroughtuptheheavier—armedmenintherear。Thesuccesswasanswerabletothedesign；thebarbarianswereputtotherout，theGrecianspursuedhard，tooktheircamp，andputmanyofthemtothesword。Theconsequenceofthisvictorywasverygreat；fortheyhadnotonlythelibertyofforagingthePersiancountry，andplunderingatpleasure，butalsosawTisaphernespaydearlyforallthecrueltyhehadshowedtheGreeks，towhomhewasaprofessedenemy。FortheKingofPersiasentTithraustes，whotookoffhishead，andpresentlydealtwithAgesilausabouthisreturnintoGreece，sendingtohimambassadorstothatpurposewithcommissiontoofferhimgreatsumsofmoney。
Agesilaus’sanswerwasthatthemakingofpeacebelongedtotheLacedaemonians，nottohim；asforwealth，hehadratherseeitinhissoldiers’handsthanhisown；thattheGreciansthoughtitnothonourabletoenrichthemselveswiththebribesoftheirenemies，butwiththeirspoilsonly。Yet，thathemightgratifyTithraustesforthejusticehehaddoneuponTisaphernes，thecommonenemyoftheGreeks，heremovedhisquartersintoPhrygia，acceptingthirtytalentsforhisexpenses。Whilsthewasuponhismarch，hereceivedastafffromthegovernmentatSparta，appointinghimadmiralaswellasgeneral。ThiswasanhonourwhichwasneverdonetoanybutAgesilaus，whobeingnowundoubtedlythegreatestandmostillustriousmanofhistime，still，asTheopompushadsaid，gavehimselfmoreoccasionofgloryinhisownvirtueandmeritthanwasgivenhiminthisauthorityandpower。YethecommittedafaultinpreferringPisandertothecommandofthenavy，whentherewereothersathandbotholderandmoreexperienced；inthisnotsomuchconsultingthepublicgoodasthegratificationofhiskindred，andespeciallyhiswife，whosebrotherPisanderwas。
HavingremovedhiscampintoPharnabazus’sprovince，henotonlymetwithgreatplentyofprovisions，butalsoraisedgreatsumsofmoney，andmarchingontotheboundsofPaphlagonia，hesoondrewCotys，thekingofit，intoaleague，towhichheofhisownaccordinclined，outoftheopinionhehadofAgesilaus’shonourandvirtue。Spithridates，fromthetimeofhisabandoningPharnabazus，constantlyattendedAgesilausinthecampwhithersoeverhewent。
ThisSpithridateshadason，averyhandsomeboy，calledMegabates，ofwhomAgesilauswasextremelyfond，andalsoaverybeautifuldaughterthatwasmarriageable。HerAgesilausmatchedtoCotys，andtakingofhimathousandhorse，withtwothousandlight—armedfoot，hereturnedintoPhrygia，andtherepillagedthecountryofPharnabazus，whodurstnotmeethiminthefield，noryettrusttohisgarrisons，butgettinghisvaluablestogether，gotoutofthewayandmovedaboutupanddownwithaflyingarmy，tillSpithridates，joiningwithHerippidastheSpartan，tookhiscampandallhisproperty。Herippidasbeingtoosevereaninquirerintotheplunderwithwhichthebarbariansoldiershadenrichedthemselves，andforcingthemtodeliveritupwithtoomuchstrictness，sodisobligedSpithridateswithhisquestioningandexaminingthathechangedsidesagain，andwentoffwiththePaphlagonianstoSardis。ThiswasaverygreatvexationtoAgesilaus，notonlythathehadlostthefriendshipofagallantcommander，andwithhimaconsiderablepartofhisarmy，butstillmorethatithadbeendonewiththedisreputeofasordidandpettycovetousness，ofwhichhealwayshadmadeitapointofhonourtokeepbothhimselfandhiscountryclear。Besidesthesepubliccauses，hehadaprivateone，hisexcessivefondnessfortheson，whichtouchedhimtothequick，thoughheendeavouredtomasterit，and，especiallyinpresenceoftheboy，tosuppressallappearanceofit；somuchsothatwhenMegabates，forthatwashisname，cameoncetoreceiveakissfromhim，hedeclinedit。Atwhich，whentheyoungboyblushedanddrewback，andafterwardsalutedhimatamorereserveddistance，Agesilaussoonrepentinghiscoldness，andchanginghismind，pretendedtowonderwhyhedidnotsalutehimwiththesamefamiliarityasformerly。Hisfriendsabouthimanswered，"Youareinthefault，whowouldnotacceptthekissoftheboy，butturnedawayinalarm；hewouldcometoyouagainifyouwouldhavethecouragetolethimdoso。"UponthisAgesilauspausedawhile，andatlengthanswered，"Youneednotencouragehimtoit；IthinkIhadratherbemasterofmyselfinthatrefusal，thanseeallthingsthatarenowbeforemyeyesturnedintogold。"ThushedemeanedhimselftoMegabateswhenpresent，buthehadsogreatapassionforhiminhisabsence，thatitmaybequestionedwhether，iftheboyhadreturnedagain，allthecouragehehadwouldhavesustainedhiminsuchanotherrefusal。
AfterthisPharnabazussoughtanopportunityofconferringwithAgesilaus，whichApollophanesofCyzicus，thecommonhostofthemboth，procuredforhim。Agesilauscomingfirsttotheappointedplace，threwhimselfdownuponthegrassunderatree，lyingthereinexpectationofPharnabazus，who，bringingwithhimsoftskinsandwroughtcarpetstoliedownupon，whenhesawAgesilaus’sposture，grewashamedofhisluxuries，andmadenouseofthem，butlaidhimselfdownuponthegrassalso，withoutregardforhisdelicateandrichlydyedclothing。PharnabazushadmatterenoughofcomplaintagainstAgesilaus，andtherefore，afterthemutualcivilitieswereover，heputhiminmindofthegreatserviceshehaddonetheLacedaemoniansintheAtticwar，ofwhichhethoughtitanillrecompensetohavehiscountrythusharassedandspoiledbythosemenwhoowedsomuchtohim。TheSpartansthatwerepresenthungdowntheirheads，asconsciousofthewrongtheyhaddonetotheirally。ButAgesilaussaid，"We，OPharnabazus，whenwewereinamitywithyourmastertheking，behavedourselveslikefriends，andnowthatweareatwarwithhim，webehaveourselvesasenemies。Asforyou，wemustlookuponyouasapartofhisproperty，andmustdotheseoutragesuponyou，notintendingtheharmtoyou，buttohimwhomwewoundthroughyou。ButwheneveryouwillchooserathertobeafriendtotheGreciansthanaslaveoftheKingofPersia，youmaythenreckonthisarmyandnavytobeallatyourcommand，todefendbothyou，yourcountry，andyourliberties，withoutwhichthereisnothinghonourableorindeeddesirableamongmen。"UponthisPharnabazusdiscoveredhismind，andanswered，"Ifthekingsendsanothergovernorinmyroom，Iwillcertainlycomeovertoyou，butaslongashetrustsmewiththegovernmentIshallbejusttohim，andnotfailtodomyutmostendeavoursinopposingyou。"Agesilauswastakenwiththeanswerandshookhandswithhim；andrising，said，"HowmuchratherhadIhavesobraveamanmyfriendthanmyenemy。"
Pharnabazusbeinggoneoff，hissonstayingbehind，ranuptoAgesilaus，andsmilinglysaid，"Agesilaus，Imakeyoumyguest；"andthereuponpresentedhimwithajavelinwhichhehadinhishand。
Agesilausreceivedit，andbeingmuchtakenwiththegoodmienandcourtesyoftheyouth，lookedabouttoseeiftherewereanythinginhistrainfittoofferhiminreturn；andobservingthehorseofIdaeus，thesecretary，tohaveveryfinetrappingson，hetookthemoff，andbestowedthemupontheyounggentleman。Nordidhiskindnessrestthere，buthecontinuedeveraftertobemindfulofhim，sothatwhenhewasdrivenoutofhiscountrybyhisbrothers，andlivedinexileinPeloponnesus，hetookgreatcareofhimandcondescendedeventoassisthiminsomelovematters。HehadanattachmentforayouthofAthenianbirth，whowasbredupasanathlete；andwhenattheOlympicgamesthisboy，onaccountofhisgreatsizeandgeneralstrongandfull—grownappearance，wasinsomedangerofnotbeingadmittedintothelist，thePersianbetookhimselftoAgesilaus，andmadeuseofhisfriendship。Agesilausreadilyassistedhim，andnotwithoutagreatdealofdifficultyeffectedhisdesires。Hewasinallotherthingsamanofgreatandexactjustice，butwhenthecaseconcernedafriend，tobestrait—lacedinpointofjustice，hesaid，wasonlyacolourablepretenceofdenyinghim。ThereisanepistlewrittentoIdrieus，PrinceofCaria，thatisascribedtoAgesilaus；itisthis:"IfNiciasbeinnocent，absolvehim；ifhebeguilty，absolvehimuponmyaccount；however，besuretoabsolvehim。"Thiswashisusualcharacterinhisdeportmenttowardshisfriends。Yethisrulewasnotwithoutexception；forsometimesheconsideredthenecessityofhisaffairsmorethanhisfriend，ofwhichheoncegaveanexample，whenuponasuddenanddisorderlyremovalofhiscamp，heleftasickfriendbehindhim，andwhenhecalledloudlyafterhim，andimploredhishelp，turnedhisback，andsaiditwashardtobecompassionateandwisetoo。ThisstoryisrelatedbyHieronymus，thephilosopher。
Anotheryearofthewarbeingspent，Agesilaus’sfamestillincreased，insomuchthatthePersiankingreceiveddailyinformationconcerninghismanyvirtues，andthegreatesteemtheworldhadofhistemperance，hisplainliving，andhismoderation。Whenhemadeanyjourney，hewouldusuallytakeuphislodginginatemple，andtheremakethegodswitnessesofhismostprivateactions，whichotherswouldscarcepermitmentobeacquaintedwith。InsogreatanarmyyoushouldscarcefindacommonsoldierlieonacoarsermattressthanAgesilaus:hewassoindifferenttothevarietiesofheatandcoldthatalltheseasons，asthegodssentthem，seemednaturaltohim。
TheGreeksthatinhabitedAsiaweremuchpleasedtoseethegreatlordsandgovernorsofPersia，withallthepride，cruelty，andluxuryinwhichtheylived，tremblingandbowingbeforeamaninapoorthreadbarecloak，and，atonelaconicwordoutofhismouth，obsequiouslydeferringandchangingtheirwishesandpurposes。SothatitbroughttothemindsofmanytheversesofTimotheus—
"Marsisthetyrant，goldGreecedoesnotfear。"
ManypartsofAsianowrevoltingfromthePersians，Agesilausrestoredorderinthecities，andwithoutbloodshedorbanishmentofanyoftheirmembersre—establishedtheproperconstitutioninthegovernments，andnowresolvedtocarryawaythewarfromtheseaside，andtomarchfurtherupintothecountry，andtoattacktheKingofPersiahimselfinhisownhomeinSusaandEcbatana；notwillingtoletthemonarchsitidleinhischair，playingumpireintheconflictsoftheGreeks，andbribingtheirpopularleaders。ButthesegreatthoughtswereinterruptedbyunhappynewsfromSparta；
Epicydidasisfromthencesenttoremandhimhome，toassisthisowncountry，whichwastheninvolvedinagreatwar:—
"Greecetoherselfdothabarbariangrow，Otherscouldnot，shedothherselfo’erthrow。"
Whatbettercanwesayofthosejealousies，andthatleagueandconspiracyoftheGreeksfortheirownmischief，whicharrestedfortuneinfullcareer，andturnedbackarmsthatwerealreadyupliftedagainstthebarbarians，tobeuseduponthemselves，andrecalledintoGreecethewarwhichhadbeenbanishedoutofher？I
bynomeansassenttoDemaratusofCorinth，whosaidthatthoseGreekslostagreatsatisfactionthatdidnotlivetoseeAlexandersitinthethroneofDarius。Thatsightshouldratherhavedrawntearsfromthem，whentheyconsideredthattheyhadleftthatglorytoAlexanderandtheMacedonians，whilsttheyspentalltheirowngreatcommandersinplayingthemagainsteachotherinthefieldsofLeuctra，Coronea，Corinth，andArcadia。
NothingwasgreaterornoblerthanthebehaviourofAgesilausonthisoccasion，norcananoblerinstancebefoundinstoryofareadyobedienceandjustdeferencetoorders。Hannibal，thoughinabadconditionhimselfand，almostdrivenoutofItaly，couldscarcelybeinducedtoobeywhenhewascalledhometoservehiscountry。AlexandermadeajestofthebattlebetweenAgisandAntipater，laughingandsaying，"So，whilstwewereconqueringDariusinAsia，itseemstherewasabattleofmiceinArcadia。"HappySparta，meanwhile，inthejusticeandmodestyofAgesilaus，andinthedeferencehepaidtothelawsofhiscountry；who，immediatelyuponreceiptofhisorders，thoughinthemidstofhishighfortuneandpower，andinfullhopeofgreatandglorioussuccess，gaveallupandinstantlydeparted，"hisobjectunachieved，"leavingmanyregretsbehindhimamonghisalliesinAsia，andprovingbyhisexamplethefalsenessofthatsayingofDemostratus。thesonofPhaeax，"ThattheLacedaemonianswerebetterinpublic，buttheAtheniansinprivate。"Forwhileapprovinghimselfanexcellentkingandgeneral，helikewiseshowedhimselfinprivateanexcellentfriendandamostagreeablecompanion。
ThecoinofPersiawasstampedwiththefigureofanarcher；
Agesilaussaid，ThatathousandPersianarchershaddrivenhimoutofAsiameaning，themoneythathadbeenlaidoutinbribingthedemagoguesandtheoratorsinThebesandAthens，andthusincitingthosetwostatestohostilityagainstSparta。
HavingpassedtheHellespont，hemarchedbylandthroughThrace，notbeggingorentreatingapassageanywhere，onlyhesenthismessengerstothemtodemandwhethertheywouldhavehimpassasafriendorasanenemy。Alltherestreceivedhimasafriend，andassistedhimonhisjourney。ButtheTrallians，towhomXerxesisalsosaidtohavegivenmoney，demandedapriceofhim，namely，onehundredtalentsofsilverandonehundredwomen。Agesilausinscornasked，Whytheywerenotreadytoreceivethem？Hemarchedon，andfindingtheTralliansinarmstoopposehim，foughtthem，andslewgreatnumbersofthem。HesentthelikeembassytotheKingofMacedonia，whoreplied，Hewouldtaketimetodeliberate。"Lethimdeliberate，"
saidAgesilaus，"wewillgoforwardinthemeantime。"TheMacedonian，beingsurprisedanddauntedtheresolutionoftheSpartan，gaveorderstolethimpassasafriend。
WhenhecameintoThessalyhewastedthecountry，becausetheywereinleaguewiththeenemy。ToLarissa，thechiefcityofThessaly，hesentXenoclesandScythestotreatofapeace，whomwhentheLarissaeanshadlaidholdof，andputintocustody，otherswereenraged，andadvisedsiegeofthetown；butheanswered，ThathevaluedeitherofthosemenatmorethanthewholecountryofThessaly。
Hethereforemadetermswiththem，andreceivedhismenagainuponcomposition。NorneedwonderatthissayingofAgesilaus，sincewhenhehadnewsbroughthimfromSparta，ofseveralgreatcaptainsinabattlenearCorinth，inwhichtheslaughterfelluponotherGreeks，andtheLacedaemoniansobtainedagreatvictorywithsmallloss，hedidnotappearatallsatisfied；butwithagreatsighcriedout，"O
Greece，howmanybravemenhastthoudestroyed；who，iftheyhadbeenpreservedtosogoodanuse，hadsufficedtohaveconqueredallPersia！"YetwhenthePharsaliansgrewtroublesometohim，bypressinguponhisarmyandincommodinghispassage，heledoutfivehundredhorse，andinpersonfoughtandroutedthem，settingupatrophyunderthemountNarthacius。Hevaluedhimselfverymuchuponthatvictory，thatwithsosmallanumberofhisowntraining，hehadvanquishedabodyofmenthatthoughtthemselvesthebesthorsemenofGreece。
HereDiphridas，theEphor，methim，anddeliveredhismessagefromSparta，whichorderedhimimmediatelytomakeaninroadintoBoeotia；andthoughhethoughtthisfittertohavebeendoneatanothertime，andwithgreaterforce，heyetobeyedthemagistrates。
HethereupontoldhissoldiersthatthedayhadcomeonwhichtheyweretoenteruponthatemploymentfortheperformanceofwhichtheywerebroughtoutofAsia。HesentfortwodivisionsofthearmynearCorinthtohisassistance。TheLacedaemoniansathome，inhonourtohim，madeproclamationsforvolunteersthatwouldserveunderthekingtocomeinandbeenlisted。Findingalltheyoungmeninthecityreadytoofferthemselves，theychosefiftyofthestrongest，andsentthem。
AgesilaushavinggainedThermopylae，andpassedquietlythroughPhocis，assoonashehadenteredBoeotia，andpitchedhiscampnearChaeronea，atoncemetwithaneclipseofthesun，andwithillnewsfromthenavy，Pisander，theSpartanadmiral，beingbeatenandslainatCnidosbyPharnabazusandConon。Hewasmuchmovedatit，bothuponhisownandthepublicaccount。Yetlesthisarmy，beingnownearengaging，shouldmeetwithanydiscouragement，heorderedthemessengerstogiveoutthattheSpartansweretheconquerors，andhehimselfputtingongarland，solemnlysacrificedforthegoodnews，andsentportionsofthesacrificestohisfriends。
WhenhecameneartoCoronea，andwaswithinviewoftheenemy，hedrewuphisarmy，andgivingtheleftwingtotheOrchomenians，hehimselfledtheright。TheThebanstooktherightwingoftheirarmy，leavingthelefttotheArgives。Xenophon，whowaspresent，andfoughtonAgesilaus’sside，reportsittobethehardest—foughtbattlethathehadseen。Thebeginningofitwasnotso，fortheThebanssoonputtheOrchomenianstorout，asalsodidAgesilaustheArgives。Butbothpartieshavingnewsofthemisfortuneoftheirleftwings，theybetookthemselvestotheirrelief。HereAgesilausmighthavebeensureofhisvictoryhadhecontentedhimselfnottochargetheminthefront，butintheflankorrear；butbeingangryandheatedinthefighthewouldnotwaittheopportunity，butfellonatonce，thinkingtobearthemdownbeforehim。TheThebanswerenotbehindhimincourage，sothatthebattlewasfiercelycarriedononbothsides，especiallynearAgesilaus’sperson，whosenewguardoffiftyvolunteersstoodhimingreatsteadthatday，andsavedhislife。Theyfoughtwithgreatvalour，andinterposedtheirbodiesfrequentlybetweenhimanddanger，yetcouldtheynotsopreservehim，butthathereceivedmanywoundsthroughhisarmourwithlancesandswords，andwaswithmuchdifficultygottenoffalivebytheirmakingaringabouthim，andsoguardinghim，withtheslaughterofmanyoftheenemy，andthelossofmanyoftheirownnumber。Atlength，findingittoohardatasktobreakthefrontoftheThebantroops，theyopenedtheirownfiles，andlettheenemymarchthroughthem（anartificewhichinthebeginningtheyscorned），watchinginthemeantimethepostureoftheenemy，who，havingpassedthrough，grewcareless，asesteemingthemselvespastdanger，inwhichpositiontheywereimmediatelysetuponbytheSpartans。Yetweretheynotthenputtorout，butmarchedontoHelicon，proudofwhattheyhaddone，beingabletosaythattheythemselves，astotheirpartofthearmy，werenotworsted。
Agesilaus，sorewoundedashewas，wouldnotbebornetohistenttillhehadbeenfirstcarriedaboutthefield，andhadseenthedeadconveyedwithinhisencampment。Asmanyofhisenemiesashadtakensanctuaryinthetemplehedismissed。FortherestoodnearthebattlefieldthetempleofMinervatheItonian，andbeforeitatrophyerectedbytheBoeotians，fororvictorywhich，undertheconductofSparton，theirgeneral，theyobtainedovertheAtheniansunderTolmides，whohimselffellinthebattle。Nextmorningearly，tomaketrialoftheThebancourage，whethertheyhadanymindtoasecondencounter，hecommandedhissoldierstoputongarlandsontheirheads，andplaywiththeirflutes，andraiseatrophybeforetheirfaces；butwhenthey，insteadoffighting，sentforleavetoburytheirdead，hegaveitthem；andhavingsoassuredhimselfofthevictory，afterthishewenttoDelphi，tothePythiangames，whichwerethencelebrating，atwhichfeastheassisted，andtheresolemnlyofferedthetenthpartofthespoilshehadbroughtfromAsia，whichamountedtoahundredtalents。
Thencehereturnedtohisowncountry，wherehiswayandhabitsoflifequicklyexcitedtheaffectionandadmirationoftheSpartans；
for，unlikeothergenerals，hecamehomefromforeignlandsthesamemanthathewentout，havingnotsolearnedthefashionsofothercountries，astoforgethisown，muchlesstodislikeordespisethem。
HefollowedandrespectedalltheSpartancustoms，withoutanychangeeitherinthemannerofhissupping，orbathing，orhiswife’sapparel，asifhehadnevertravelledovertheriverEurotas。
Soalsowithhishouseholdfurnitureandhisownarmour，nay，theverygatesofhishouseweresooldthattheymightwellbethoughtofAristodemus’ssettingup。Hisdaughter’sCanathrum，saysXenophon，wasnoricherthanthatofanyoneelse。TheCanathrum，astheycallit，isachairorchariotmadeofwood，intheshapeofagriffin，ortragelaphus，onwhichthechildrenandyoungvirginsarecarriedinprocessions。XenophonhasnotleftusthenameofthisdaughterofAgesilaus；andDicaearchusexpressessomeindignation，becausewedonotknow，hesays，thenameofAgesilaus’sdaughter，norofEpaminondas’smother。ButintherecordsofLaconia，weourselvesfoundhiswife’snametohavebeenCleora，andhistwodaughterstohavebeencalledEupoliaandProlyta。AndyoumayalsotothisdayseeAgesilaus’sspearkeptinSparta，nothingdifferingfromthatofothermen。
therewasavanityheobservedamongtheSpartans，aboutkeepingrunninghorsesfortheOlympicgames，uponwhichhefoundtheymuchvaluedthemselves。Agesilausregardeditasadisplaynotofanyrealvirtue，butofwealthandexpense；andtomakethisevidenttotheGreeks，inducedhissister，Cynisca，tosendachariotintothecourse。HekeptwithhimXenophon，thephilosopher，andmademuchofhim，andproposedtohimtosendforhischildren，andeducatethematSparta，wheretheywouldbetaughtthebestofalllearning；howtoobey，andhowtocommand。FindingonLysander’sdeathalargefactionformed，whichheonhisreturnfromAsiahadestablishedagainstAgesilaus，hethoughtitadvisabletoexposebothhimandit，byshowingwhatmannerofacitizenhehadbeenwhilsthelived。
Tothatend，findingamonghiswritingsanoration，composedbyCleontheHalicarnassean，buttohavebeenspokenbyLysanderinapublicassembly，toexcitethepeopletoinnovationsandchangesinthegovernment，heresolvedtopublishitasanevidenceofLysander’spractices。ButoneoftheEldershavingtheperusalofit，andfindingitpowerfullywritten，advisedhimtohaveacareofdiggingupLysanderagain，andratherburythatorationinthegravewithhim；
andthisadvicehewiselyhearkenedto，andhushedthewholethingupandeverafterforborepubliclytoaffrontanyofhisadversaries，buttookoccasionsofpickingouttheringleaders，andsendingthemawayuponforeignservices。Hethushadmeansforexposingtheavariceandtheinjusticeofmanyofthemintheiremployments；andagainwhentheywerebyothersbroughtintoquestion，hemadeithisbusinesstobringthemoff，obligingthem，bythatmeans，ofenemiestobecomehisfriends，andsobydegreesleftnoneremaining。
Agesipolis，hisfellow—king，wasunderthedisadvantageofbeingbornofanexiledfather，andhimselfyoung，modest，andinactive，meddlednotmuchinaffairs。Agesilaustookacourseofgaininghimoverandmakinghimentirelytractable。AccordingtothecustomofSparta，thekings，iftheywereintown，alwaysdinedtogether。ThiswasAgesilaus’sopportunityofdealingwithAgesipolis，whomhefoundquick，ashehimselfwas，informingattachmentsforyoungmen，andaccordinglytalkedwithhimalwaysonsuchsubjects，joiningandaidinghim，andactingashisconfidant，suchattachmentsinSpartabeingentirelyhonourable，andattendedalwayswithlivelyfeelingsofmodesty，loveofvirtue，andanobleemulation；ofwhichmoreissaidinLycurgus’slife。
Havingthusestablishedhispowerinthecity，heeasilyobtainedthathishalf—brotherTeleutiasmightbechosenadmiral，andthereuponmakinganexpeditionagainsttheCorinthians，hemadehimselfmasterofthelongwallsbyland，throughtheassistanceofhisbrotheratsea。ComingthusupontheArgives，whothenheldCorinth，inthemidstoftheirIsthmianfestival，hemadethemflyfromthesacrificetheyhadjustcommenced，andleavealltheirfestiveprovisionbehindthem。
TheexiledCorinthiansthatwereintheSpartanarmydesiredhimtokeepthefeast，andtopresideinthecelebrationofit。Thisherefused，butgavethemleavetocarryonthesolemnityiftheypleased，andheinthemeantimestayedandguardedthem。
WhenAgesilausmarchedoff，theArgivesreturnedandcelebratedthegamesoveragain，whensomewhowerevictorsbeforebecamevictorsasecondtime；otherslosttheprizeswhichbeforetheyhadgained。
AgesilausthusmadeitcleartoeverybodythattheArgivesmustintheirowneyeshavebeenguiltyofgreatcowardicesincetheysetsuchavalueonpresidingatthegames，andyethadnotdaredtofightforit。Hehimselfwasofopinionthattokeepameaninsuchthingswasbest；heassistedatthesportsanddancesusualinhisowncountry，andwasalwaysreadyandeagertobepresentattheexerciseseitheroftheyoungmenorofthegirls，butthingsthatmanymenusedtobehighlytakenwithheseemednotatallconcernedabout。
Callippides，thetragicactor，whohadagreatnameinallGreeceandwasmademuchofoncemetandsalutedhim；ofwhichwhenhefoundnonoticetaken，heconfidentlythrusthimselfintohistrain，expectingthatAgesilauswouldpayhimsomeattention。Whenallthatfailed，heboldlyaccostedhim，andaskedhimwhetherhedidnotrememberhim？Agesilausturned，andlookinghimintheface，"Areyounot，"saidhe，"Callippidestheshowman？"Beinginvitedoncetohearamanwhoadmirablyimitatedthenightingale，hedeclined，sayinghehadheardthenightingaleitself。Menecrates，thephysician，havinghadgreatsuccessinsomedesperatediseases，wasbywayofflatterycalledJupiter；hewassovainastotakethename，andhavingoccasiontowritealettertoAgesilaus，thusaddressedit:"JupiterMenecratestoKingAgesilaus，greeting。"Thekingreturnedanswer:
"AgesilaustoMenecrates，healthandasoundmind。"
WhilstAgesilauswasintheCorinthianterritories，havingjusttakentheHeraeum，hewaslookingonwhilehissoldierswerecarryingawaytheprisonersandtheplunder，whenambassadorsfromThebescametohimtotreatofpeace。Havingagreataversionforthatcity，andthinkingitthenadvantageoustohisaffairspubliclytoslightthem，hetooktheopportunity，andwouldnotseemeithertoseethemorhearthemspeak。Butasifonpurposetopunishhiminhispride，beforetheypartedfromhim，messengerscamewithnewsofthecompleteslaughterofoneoftheSpartandivisionsbyIphicrates，agreaterdisasterthanhadbefallenthemformanyyears，andthatthemoregrievousbecauseitwasachoiceregimentoffull—armedLacedaemoniansoverthrownbyaparcelofmeremercenarytargeteers。
Agesilausleaptfromhisseat，togoatoncetotheirrescue，butfoundittoolate，thebusinessbeingover。HethereforereturnedtotheHeraeumandsentfortheThebanambassadorstogivethemaudience。
Theynowresolvedtobeevenwithhimfortheaffronthegavethem，andwithoutspeakingonewordofthepeace，onlydesiredleavetogointoCorinth。Agesilaus，irritatedwiththisproposal，toldtheminscorn，thatiftheywereanxioustogoandseehowproudtheirfriendswereoftheirsuccesstheyshoulddoitto—morrowwithsafety。Nextmorning，takingtheambassadorswithhim，heravagedtheCorinthianterritories，uptotheverygatesofthecity，where，havingmadeastand，andlettheambassadorsseethattheCorinthiansdurstnotcomeouttodefendthemselves，hedismissedthem。Thengatheringupthesmallremaindersoftheshatteredregiment，hemarchedhomewards，alwaysremovinghiscampbeforeday，andalwayspitchinghistentsafternight，thathemightpreventtheirenemiesamongtheArcadiansfromtakinganyopportunityofinsultingovertheirloss。
Afterthis，attherequestoftheAchaeans，hemarchedwiththemintoAcarnania，andtherecollectedgreatspoils，anddefeatedtheAcarnaniansinbattle。TheAchaeanswouldhavepersuadedhimtokeephiswinterquartersthere，tohindertheAcarnaniansfromsowingtheircorn；buthewasofthecontraryopinion，allegingthattheywouldbemoreafraidofawarnextsummer，whentheirfieldsweresown，thantheywouldbeiftheylayfallow。Theeventjustifiedhisopinion；fornextsummer，whentheAchaeansbegantheirexpeditionagain，theAcarnaniansimmediatelymadepeacewiththem。
WhenCononandPharnabazuswiththePersiannavyweregrownmastersofthesea，andhadnotonlyinfestedthecoastofLaconia，butalsorebuiltthewallsofAthensatthecostofPharnabazus，theLacedaemoniansthoughtfittotreatofpeacewiththeKingofPersia。Tothatend，theysentAntalcidastoTiribazus，baselyandwickedlybetrayingtheAsiaticGreeks，onwhosebehalfAgesilaushadmadethewar。ButnopartofthisdishonourfelluponAgesilaus，thewholebeingtransactedbyAntalcidas，whowashisbitterenemy，andwasurgentforpeaceuponanyterms，becausewarwassuretoincreasehispowerandreputation。Nevertheless，oncebeingtoldbywayofreproachthattheLacedaemonianshadgoneovertotheMedes，hereplied，"No，theMedeshadcomeovertotheLacedaemonians。"AndwhentheGreekswerebackwardtosubmittotheagreement，hethreatenedthemwithwar，unlesstheyfulfilledtheKingofPersia’sconditions，hisparticularendinthisbeingtoweakentheThebans；
foritwasmadeoneofthearticlesofpeacethatthecountryofBoeotiashouldbeleftindependent。ThisfeelingofhistoThebesappearedfurtherafterwards，whenPhoebidas，infullpeace，mostunjustifiablyseizedupontheCadmea。ThethingwasmuchresentedbyallGreece，andnotwelllikedbytheLacedaemoniansthemselves；thoseespeciallywhowereenemiestoAgesilausrequiredanaccountoftheaction，andbywhoseauthorityitwasdone，layingthesuspicionofitathisdoor。Agesilausresolutelyanswered，onthebehalfofPhoebidas，thattheprofitablenessoftheactwaschieflytobeconsidered；ifitwerefortheadvantageofthecommonwealth，itwasnomatterwhetheritweredonewithorwithoutauthority。Thiswasthemoreremarkableinhim，becauseinhisordinarylanguagehewasalwaysobservedtobeagreatmaintainerofjustice，andwouldcommenditasthechiefofvirtues，saying，thatvalourwithoutjusticewasuseless，andifalltheworldwerejust，therewouldbenoneedofvalour。Whenanywouldsaytohim，theGreatKingwillhaveitso，hewouldreply，"HowishegreaterthanI，unlesshebejuster？"noblyandrightlytaking，asasortofroyalmeasureofgreatness，justiceandnotforce。Andthuswhen，ontheconclusionofthepeace，theKingofPersiawrotetoAgesilaus，desiringaprivatefriendshipandrelationsofhospitality，herefusedit，sayingthatthepublicfriendshipwasenough；whilstthatlastedtherewasnoneedofprivate。Yetinhisactshewasnotconstanttohisdoctrine，butsometimesoutofambition，andsometimesoutofprivatepique，helethimselfbecarriedaway；andparticularlyinthiscaseoftheThebans，henotonlysavedPhoebidas，butpersuadedtheLacedaemonianstotakethefaultuponthemselves，andtoretaintheCadmea，puttingagarrisonintoit，andtoputthegovernmentofThebesintothehandsofArchiasandLeontidas，whohadbeenbetrayersofthecastletothem。
ThisexcitedstrongsuspicionthatwhatPhoebidasdidwasbyAgesilaus’sorder，whichwascorroboratedbyafter—occurrences。ForwhentheThebanshadexpelledthegarrison，andassertedtheirliberty，he，accusingthemofthemurderofArchiasandLeontidas，whoindeedweretyrants，thoughinnameholdingtheofficeofPolemarchs，madewaruponthem。HesentCleombrotusonthaterrand，whowasnowhisfellow—king，intheplaceofAgesipolis，whowasdead，excusinghimselfbyreasonofhisageforitwasfortyyearssincehehadfirstbornearms，andhewasconsequentlyexemptbythelaw；
meanwhilethetruereasonwas，thathewasashamed，havingsolatelyfoughtagainsttyrannyinbehalfofthePhliasians，tofightnowindefenceofatyrannyagainsttheThebans。
OneSphodrias，ofLacedaemon，ofthecontraryfactiontoAgesilaus，wasgovernorinThespiae，aboldandenterprisingman，thoughhehadperhapsmoreofconfidencethanwisdom。ThisactionofPhoebidasfiredhim，andincitedhisambitiontoattemptsomegreatenterprise，whichmightrenderhimasfamousasheperceivedthetakingoftheCadmeahadmadePhoebidas。HethoughtthesuddencaptureofthePiraeus，andthecuttingofftherebytheAtheniansfromthesea，wouldbeamatteroffarmoreglory。Itissaid，too，thatPelopidasandMelon，thechiefcaptainsofBoeotia，puthimuponit；
thattheyprivatelysentmentohim，pretendingtobeoftheSpartanfaction，who，highlycommendingSphodrias，filledhimwithagreatopinionofhimself，protestinghimtobetheonlymanintheworldthatwasfitforsogreatanenterprise。Beingthusstimulated，hecouldholdnolonger，buthurriedintoanattemptasdishonourableandtreacherousasthatoftheCadmea，butexecutedwithlessvalourandlesssuccess；forthedaybrokewhilsthewasyetintheThriasianplain，whereashedesignedthewholeexploittohavebeendoneinthenight。AssoonasthesoldiersperceivedtheraysoflightreflectingfromthetemplesofEleusis，uponthefirstrisingofthesun，itissaidthattheirheartsfailedthem；nay，hehimself，whenhesawthathecouldnothavethebenefitofthenight，hadnotcourageenoughtogoonwithhisenterprise；buthavingpillagedthecountry，hereturnedwithshametoThespiae。AnembassywasuponthissentfromAthenstoSparta，tocomplainofthebreachofpeace；
buttheambassadorsfoundtheirjourneyneedless，SphodriasbeingthenunderprocessbythemagistratesofSparta。Sphodriasdurstnotstaytoexpectjudgment，whichhefoundwouldbecapital，thecitybeinghighlyincensedagainsthim，outoftheshametheyfeltatthebusiness，andtheirdesiretoappearintheeyesoftheAtheniansasfellow—sufferersinthewrong，ratherthanaccomplicesinitsbeingdone。
ThisSphodriashadasonofgreatbeautynamedCleonymus，towhomArchidamus，thesonofAgesilaus，wasextremelyattached。
Archidamus，asbecamehim，wasconcernedforthedangerofhisfriend’sfather，butyethedurstnotdoanythingopenlyforhisassistance，hebeingoneoftheprofessedenemiesofAgesilaus。ButCleonymushavingsolicitedhimwithtearsaboutit，asknowingAgesilaustobeofallhisfather’senemiesthemostformidable，theyoungmanfortwoorthreedaysfollowedafterhisfatherwithsuchfearandconfusionthathedurstnotspeaktohim。Atlast，thedayofsentencebeingathand，heventuredtotellhimthatCleonymushadentreatedhimtointercedeforhisfather。Agesilaus，thoughwellawareofthelovebetweenthetwoyoungmen，yetdidnotprohibitit，becauseCleonymusfromhisearliestyearshadbeenlookeduponasayouthofverygreatpromise；yethegavenothissonanykindorhopefulanswerinthecase，butcoldlytoldhimthathewouldconsiderwhathecouldhonestlyandhonourablydoinit，andsodismissedhim。Archidamusbeingashamedofhiswantofsuccess，forborethecompanyofCleonymus，whomheusuallysawseveraltimeseveryday。ThismadethefriendsofSphodriastothinkhiscasedesperate，tillEtymocles，oneofAgesilaus’sfriends，discoveredtothemtheking’smind；namely，thatheabhorredthefact，butyethethoughtSphodriasagallantmansuchasthecommonwealthmuchwantedatthattime。ForAgesilaususedtotalkthusconcerningthecause，outofadesiretogratifyhisson。AndnowCleonymusquicklyunderstoodthatArchidamushadbeentruetohim，inusingallhisinterestswithhisfather；andSphodrias’sfriendventuredtobeforwardinhisdefence。Thetruthis，thatAgesilauswasexcessivelyfondofhischildren；anditistohimthestorybelongs，thatwhentheywerelittleones，heusedtomakeahorseofastick，andridewiththem；andbeingcaughtatthissportbyafriend，hedesiredhimnottomentionittillhehimselfwerethefatherofchildren。
Meanwhile，Sphodriasbeingacquitted，theAtheniansbetookthemselvestoarms，andAgesilausfellintodisgracewiththepeople；sincetogratifythewhimsofaboyhehadbeenwillingtopervertjustice，andmakethecityaccessorytothecrimesofprivatemen，whosemostunjustifiableactionshadbrokenthepeaceofGreece。Healsofoundhiscolleague，Cleombrotus，littleinclinedtotheThebanwar；sothatitbecamenecessaryforhimtowaivetheprivilegeofhisage，whichhebeforehadclaimed，andtoleadthearmyhimselfintoBoeotia；whichhedidwithvarietyofsuccess，sometimesconquering，andsometimesconquered；insomuchthatreceivingawoundinabattle，hewasreproachedbyAntalcidas，thattheThebanshadpaidhimwellforthelessonshehadgiventheminfighting。
And，indeed，theywerenowgrownfarbettersoldiersthanevertheyhadbeen，beingsocontinuallykeptintrainingbythefrequencyoftheLacedaemonianexpeditionsagainstthem。OutoftheforesightofwhichitwasthatancientlyLycurgus，inthreeseverallaws，forbadethemtomakeanywarswiththesamenation，asthiswouldbetoinstructtheirenemiesintheartofit。Meanwhile，thealliesofSpartawerenotalittlediscontentedatAgesilaus，becausethiswarwascommencednotuponanyfairpublicgroundofquarrel，butmerelyoutofhisprivatehatredtotheThebans；andtheycomplainedwithindignationthatthey，beingthemajorityofthearmy，shouldfromyeartoyearbethusexposedtodangerandhardshiphereandthere，atthewillofafewpersons。Itwasatthistime，wearetold，thatAgesilaus，toobviatetheobjection，devisedthisexpedient，toshowtheallieswerenotthegreaternumber。Hegaveordersthatalltheallies，ofwhatevercountry，shouldsitdownpromiscuouslyononeside，andalltheLacedaemoniansontheother:whichbeingdone，hecommandedaheraldtoproclaim，thatallthepottersofbothdivisionsshouldstandout；thenalltheblacksmiths；thenallthemasons；
nextthecarpenters；andsohewentthroughallthehandicrafts。Bythistimealmostalltheallieswererisen，butoftheLacedaemoniansnotaman，theybeingbylawforbiddentolearnanymechanicalbusiness；andnowAgesilauslaughedandsaid，"Youseemyfriends，howmanymoresoldierswesendoutthanyoudo。"
WhenhebroughtbackhisarmyfromBoeotiathroughMegara，ashewasgoinguptothemagistrate’sofficeintheAcropolis，hewassuddenlyseizedwithpainandcrampinhissoundleg，andgreatswellingandinflammationensued。HewastreatedbyaSyracusanphysician，wholethimbloodbelowtheankle；thissooneasedhispain，butthenthebloodcouldnotbestopped，tillthelossofitbroughtonfaintingandswooning；atlength，withmuchtrouble，hestoppedit。AgesilauswascarriedhometoSpartainaveryweakcondition，anddidnotrecoverstrengthenoughtoappearinthefieldforalongtimeafter。
Meanwhile，theSpartanfortunewasbutill；theyreceivedmanylossesbothbyseaandland；butthegreatestwasthatatTegyrae，whenforthefirsttimetheywerebeatenbytheThebansinasetbattle。
AlltheGreekswere，accordingly，disposedtoageneralpeace，andtothatendambassadorscametoSparta。AmongthesewasEpaminondas，theTheban，famousatthattimeforhisphilosophyandlearning，buthehadnotyetgivenproofofhiscapacityasageneral。He，seeingalltheotherscrouchtoAgesilaus，andcourtfavourwithhim，alonemaintainedthedignityofanambassador，andwiththatfreedomthatbecamehischaractermadeaspeechinbehalfnotofThebesonly，fromwhencehecame，butofallGreece，remonstratingthatSpartaalonegrewgreatbywar，tothedistressandsufferingofallherneighbours。Heurgedthatapeaceshouldbemadeuponjustandequalterms，suchasalonewouldbealastingone，whichcouldnototherwisebedonethanbyreducingalltoequality。Agesilaus，perceivingalltheotherGreekstogivemuchattentiontothisdiscourse，andtobepleasedwithit，presentlyaskedhimwhetherhethoughtitapartofthisjusticeandequalitythattheBoeotiantownsshouldenjoytheirindependence。Epaminondasinstantlyandwithoutwaveringaskedhiminreturn，whetherhethoughtitjustandequalthattheLaconiantownsshouldenjoytheirs。AgesilausstartedfromhisseatandbadehimonceforallspeakoutandsaywhetherornotBoeotiashouldbeindependent。AndwhenEpaminondasrepliedonceagainwiththesameinquiry，whetherLaconiashouldbeso，Agesilauswassoenragedthat，availinghimselfofthepretext，heimmediatelystruckthenameoftheThebansoutoftheleague，anddeclaredwaragainstthem。WiththerestoftheGreekshemadeapeace，anddismissedthemwiththissaying，thatwhatcouldbepeaceablyadjusted，should；whatwasotherwiseincurable，mustbecommittedtothesuccessofwar，itbeingathingoftoogreatdifficultytoprovideforallthingsbytreaty。
TheEphorsuponthisdespatchedtheirorderstoCleombrotus，whowasatthattimeinPhocis，tomarchdirectlyintoBoeotia，andatthesametimesenttotheiralliesforaid。Theconfederateswereverytardyintheirbusinessandunwillingtoengage，butasyettheyfearedtheSpartanstoomuchtodaretorefuse。Andalthoughmanyportentsandprodigiesofill—presage，whichIhavementionedinthelifeofEpaminondas，hadappeared，andthoughProthous，theLaconian，didallhecouldtohinderit，yetAgesilauswouldneedsgoforward，andprevailedso，thatthewarwasdecreed。Hethoughtthepresentjunctureofaffairsveryadvantageousfortheirrevenge，therestofGreecebeingwhollyfree，andtheThebansexcludedfromthepeace。Butthatthiswarwasundertakenmoreuponpassionthanjudgmenttheeventmayprove；forthetreatywasfinishedbutthefourteenthofScirophorion，andtheLacedaemoniansreceivedtheirgreatoverthrowatLeuctraonthefifthofHecatombaeon，withintwentydays。TherefellatthattimeathousandSpartans，andCleombrotustheirking，andaroundhimthebravestmenofthenation；particularlythebeautifulyouth，Cleonymus，thesonofSphodrias，whowasthricestruckdownatthefeetoftheking，andasoftenrose，butwasslainatthelast。
Thisunexpectedblow，whichfellsoheavyupontheLacedaemonians，broughtgreaterglorytoThebesthaneverwasacquiredbyanyotheroftheGrecianrepublicsintheircivilwarsagainsteachother。Thebehaviour，notwithstanding，oftheSpartans，thoughbeaten，wasasgreat，andashighlytobeadmired，asthatoftheThebans。Andindeed，if，asXenophonsays，inconversationgoodmenevenintheirsportsandattheirwineletfallmanysayingsthatareworththepreserving，howmuchmoreworthytoberecordedisanexemplaryconstancyofmind，asshownbothinthewordsandintheactsofbravemenwhentheyarepressedbyadversefortune！IthappenedthattheSpartanswerecelebratingasolemnfeast，atwhichmanystrangerswerepresentfromothercountries，andthetownfullofthem，whenthisnewsoftheoverthrowcame。Itwasthegymnopaediae，andtheboysweredancinginthetheatre，whenthemessengersarrivedfromLeuctra。
TheEphors，thoughtheyweresufficientlyawarethatthisblowhadruinedtheSpartanpower，andthattheirprimacyovertherestofGreecewasgoneforever，yetgaveordersthatthedancesshouldnotbreakoff，noranyofthecelebrationofthefestivalabate；butprivatelysendingthenamesoftheslaintoeachfamily，outofwhichtheywerelost，theycontinuedthepublicspectacles。Thenextmorningwhentheyhadfullintelligenceconcerningit，andeverybodyknewwhowereslain，andwhosurvived，thefathers，relatives，andfriendsoftheslaincameoutrejoicinginthemarket—place，salutingeachotherwithakindofexultation；onthecontrary，thefathersofthesurvivorshidthemselvesathomeamongthewomen。Ifnecessitydroveanyofthemabroadtheywentverydejectedly，withdowncastlooksandsorrowfulcountenances。Thewomenoutdidthemeninit；thosewhosesonswereslainopenlyrejoicing，cheerfullymakingvisitstooneanother，andmeetingtriumphantlyinthetemples；theywhoexpectedtheirchildrenhomebeingverysilentandmuchtroubled。
Butthepeopleingeneral，whentheiralliesnowbegantodesertthem，andEpaminondas，inalltheconfidenceofvictory，wasexpectedwithaninvadingarmyinPeloponnesus，begantothinkagainofAgesilaus’slameness，andtoentertainfeelingsofreligiousfearanddespondency，asiftheirhavingrejectedthesound—footed，andhavingchosenthehaltingking，whichtheoraclehadspeciallywarnedthemagainst，wastheoccasionofalltheirdistresses。YettheregardtheyhadtothemeritandreputationofAgesilaussofarstilledthismurmuringofthepeoplethat，notwithstandingit，theyintrustedthemselvestohiminthisdistress，astheonlymanthatwasfittohealthepublicmalady，thearbiterofalltheirdifficulties，whetherrelatingtotheaffairsofwarorpeace。Onegreatonewasthenbeforethemconcerningtherunaways（astheirnameisforthem）thathadfledoutofthebattle，whobeingmanyandpowerful，itwasfearedthattheymightmakesomecommotionintherepublic，topreventtheexecutionofthelawuponthemfortheircowardice。Thelawinthatcasewasverysevere；fortheywerenotonlytobedebarredfromallhonours，butalsoitwasadisgracetointermarrywiththem；whoevermetanyoftheminthestreetsmightbeathimifhechose，norwasitlawfulforhimtoresist；they，inthemeanwhile，wereobligedtogoaboutunwashedandmeanlydressed，withtheirclothespatchedwithdiverscolours，andtoweartheirbeardshalfshaved，halfunshaven。Toexecutesorigidalawasthis，inacasewheretheoffendersweresomany，andmanyofthemofsuchdistinction，andthatinatimewhenthecommonwealthwantedsoldierssomuchasthenitdid，wasofdangerousconsequence。
ThereforetheychoseAgesilausasasortofnewlawgiverfortheoccasion。Buthe，withoutaddingtoordiminishingfromoranywaychangingthelaw，cameoutintothepublicassembly，andsaidthatthelawshouldsleepforto—day，butfromthisdayforthbevigorouslyexecuted。Bythismeansheatoncepreservedthelawfromabrogationandthecitizensfrominfamy；andthathemightalleviatethedespondencyandself—distrustoftheyoungmen，hemadeaninroadintoArcadia，where，carefullyavoidingallfighting，hecontendedhimselfwithspoilingtheterritory，andtakingasmalltownbelongingtotheMantineans，thusrevivingtheheartsofthepeople，lettingthemseethattheywerenoteverywhereunsuccessful。
EpaminondasnowinvadedLaconiawithanarmyoffortythousand，besideslight—armedmenandothersthatfollowedthecamponlyforplunder，sothatinalltheywereatleastseventythousand。ItwasnowsixhundredyearssincetheDorianshadpossessedLaconia，andinallthattimethefaceofanenemyhadnotbeenseenwithintheirterritories，nomandaringtoinvadethem；butnowtheymadetheirentrance，andburntandplunderedwithoutresistancethehithertountouchedandsacredterritoryuptoEurotasandtheverysuburbsofSparta；forAgesilauswouldnotpermitthemtoencountersoimpetuousatorrent，asTheopompuscallsit，ofwar。Hecontentedhimselfwithfortifyingthechiefpartsofthecity，andwithplacingguardsinconvenientplaces，enduringmeanwhilethetauntsoftheThebans，whoreproachedhimbynameasthekindlerofthewar，andtheauthorofallthatmischieftohiscountry，biddinghimdefendhimselfifhecould。Butthiswasnotall；hewasequallydisturbedathomewiththetumultsofthecity，theoutcriesandrunningaboutoftheoldmen，whowereenragedattheirpresentcondition，andthewomenyetworse，outoftheirsenseswiththeclamours，andthefiresoftheenemyinthefield。Hewasalsohimselfafflictedbythesenseofhislostglory；who，havingcometothethroneofSpartawhenitwasinitsmostflourishingandpowerfulcondition，nowlivedtoseeitlaidlowinesteem，andallitsgreatvauntscutdown，eventhatwhichhehimselfhadbeenaccustomedtouse，thatthewomenofSpartahadneverseenthesmokeoftheenemy’sfire。Asitissaid，also，thatwhenAntalcidas，oncebeingindisputewithanAthenianaboutthevalourofthetwonations，theAthenianboastedthattheyhadoftendriventheSpartansfromtheriverCephisus，"Yes，"saidAntalcidas，"butweneverhadoccasiontodriveyoufromEurotas。"AndacommonSpartanoflessnote，beingincompanywithanArgive，whowasbragginghowmanySpartanslayburiedinthefieldsofArgos，replied，"NoneofyouareburiedinthecountryofLaconia。"YetnowthecasewassoalteredthatAntalcidas，beingoneoftheEphors，outoffearsentawayhischildrenprivatelytotheislandofCythera。
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