Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/13

CONTENTS. CHAPTER LXXVII. FROM THE SUBJUGATION OP OLYNTHUS BY THE LACEDEMONIANS DOWN TO THE CONGEESS AT SPARTA, AND PARTIAL PEACE, IN 371 B. C. Great ascendency of Sparta on land in 379 B. c. Sparta is now feared as the great despot of Greece. Strong complaint of the rhetor Lysias, expressed at the Olympic festival of 384 B.C. Panegyrical oration of Isokrates. Censure upon Sparta pronounced by the philo-Laconian Xenophon. His manner of marking the point of transition in his his tory from Spartan glory to Spartan disgrace. Thebes under Leonti ades and the philo-Spartan oligarchy, with the Spartan garrison in the Kadmeia oppressive and tyrannical government. Discontent at Thebes, though under compression. Theban exiles at Athens. The Theban exiles at Athens, after waiting some time in hopes of a rising at Thebes, resolve to begin a movement themselves. Pelopidas takes the lead he, with Mellon and five other exiles, undertakes the task of de- stroying the rulers of Thebes. Cooperation of Phyllidas the secretary, and Charon at Thebes. Plans of Phyllidas for admitting the conspira- tors into Thebes and the government-house he invites the polemarchs to a banquet. The scheme very nearly frustrated accident which pre- vented Chlidon from delivering his message. Pelopidas and Mellon get secretly into Thebes, and conceal themselves in the house of Charon. Leontiades and Hypates are slain in their houses. Phyllidas opens the prison, and sets free the prisoners. Epaminondas and many other citi- zens appear in arms. Universal joy among the citizens on the ensuing morning, when the event was known. General assembly in the market- place Pelopidas, Mellon, and Charon are named the first Bceotarchs. Aid to the conspirators from private sympathizers in Attica. Pelopidas and the Thebans prepare to storm the Kadmeia the Lacedaemonian garrison capitulate and are dismissed several of the oligarchical The- bans are put to death in trying to go away along with them. The har- most who surrendered the Kadmeia is put to death by the Spartans. Powerful sensation produced by this incident throughout the Grecian world. Indignation in Sparta at the revolution of Thebes a Spartan army sent forth at once under king Kleombrotus. He retires from Bo3O- tia without achieving anything. Kleombrotus passes by the Athenian frontier alarm at Athens condemnation of the two Athenian gene- rals who had favored the enterprise of Pelopidas. Attempt of Sphodrias from Thespias to surprise the Peiroeus by a night-march. He fails. Different constructions put upon this attempt and upon the character of Sphodrias. The Lacedaemonian envoys at Athens seized, but dismissed. Trial of Sphodrias at Sparta ; acquitted through the private favor and sympathies of Agesilaus. Comparison of Spartan with Athenian pro- cedure. The Athenians declare war against Sparta, and contract alli- ance with Thebes. Exertions of Athens to form a new maritime con- federacy, like the Confederacy of Delos. Thebes enrolls herself as a member. Athens sends round envoys to the islands in the ^Egean. Liberal principles on which the new confederacy is formed. Envoys sent round by Athens Chabrias, Timotheus, Kallistratus. Service of Iphi- krates in Thrace after the peace of Antalkidas. He marries the daugh- ter of the Thracian prince Kotys, and acquires possession of a Thracian sea-port, Drys. Timotheus and Kallistratas. Synod of the new confederates assembled at Athens votes fc r war on a large scale. Members of the confederacy were at first willing and harmonious a fleet is equipped. New property-tax impose d at Athens. The Solonian