Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/162

140 HISTORY OF GREECE. Sparta, then (rejoined Jason), and give notice there, that 1 intend to attack Pharsalus, and that it is for them to afford you protec- tion. If they cannot comply wit! the demand, you will be un faithful to the interests of your city if you do not embrace my offers." It was on this mission that Polydamas was now come to Sparta, to announce that unless aid could be sent to him, he should be compelled unwillingly to sever himself from her. " Recollect (he concluded) that the enemy against whom you will have to contend is formidable in every way, both from personal qualities and from power ; so that nothing short of a first-rate force and commander will suffice. Consider, and tell me what you can do." The Spartans, having deliberated on the point, returned a reply in the negative. Already a large force had been sent under Kleombrotus as essential to the defence of Phokis ; moreover, the Athenians were now the stronger power at sea. Lastly, Jason had hitherto lent no active assistance to Thebes and Athens which he would assuredly be provoked to do, if a Spartan army interfered against him in Thessaly. Accordingly the ephors told Polydamas plainly, that they were unable to satisfy his demands, recommending him to make the best terms that he could, both for Pharsalus and for himself. Returning to Thessaly, he resumed his negotiation with Jason, and promised substantial compliance with what was required. But he entreated to be spared the dis- honor of admitting a foreign garrison into the citadel which had been confidentially entrusted to his care ; engaging at the same time to bring his fellow-citizens into voluntary union with Jason, and ten- dering his two sons as hostages for faithful performance. All this was actually brought to pass. The politics of the Pharsalians were gently brought round, so that Jason, by their votes as well as the rest, was unanimously elected Tagus of Thessaly. 1 The dismissal of Polydamas implied a mortifying confession of weakness on the part of Sparta. It marks, too, an important stage in the real decline of her power. Eight years before, at the in- stance of the Akanthian envoys, backed by the Macedonian Amyntas, she had sent three powerful armies in succession t<? 1 See the interesting account of this mission, and the speech of Polyda Has, which I have been compelled greatly to abridge (in Xen. HeiJen. vi. I 4-18).