ELEIANS AND ARCADIANS. 26j resumption of th eir lost supremacy. But the formation of the new " commune Arcsvclum " at Megalopolis, interposed an obstacle never before thought of. The Tryphilian towns, affirming them- selves to be of Arcadian origin, and setting forth as their epony- mous Hero Triphylus son of Arkas, 1 solicited to be admitted as fully qualified members of the incipient Pan- Arcadian communion. They were cordially welcomed by the general Arcadian body (with a degree of sympathy similar to that recently shown by the Germans towards Sleswick-Holstein), received as political breth- ren, and guaranteed as independent against Elis. 2 The Eleians, thus finding themselves disappointed of the benefits which they had anticipated from the humiliation of Sparta, became greatly alienated from the Arcadians. Ariobarzanes, the satrap of Phrygia, with whom the Athenians had just established a correspondence, now endeavored (perhaps at their instance) to mediate for peace in Greece, sending over a citizen of Abydus named Philiskus, furnished with a large sum of money. Choosing Delphi as a centre, Philiskus convoked thither, in the name of the Persian king, deputies from all the belligerent parties, Theban, Lacedaemonian, Athenian, etc., to meet him. These envoys never consulted the god as to the best means of at- taining peace (says Xenophon), but merely took counsel among themselves ; hence, he observes, little progress was made towards peace; since the Spartans 3 peremptorily insisted that Messene should again be restored to them, while the Thebans were not less firm in resisting the proposition. It rather seems that the allies of Sparta were willing to concede the point, and even tried, though in vain, to overcome her reluctance. The congress accordingly broke up ; while Philiskus, declaring himself in favor of Sparta and Athens, employed his money in levying mercenaries for the professed purpose of aiding them in the war. 4 We do not find, 1 Polyb. iv, 77. 2 Xen. Hellen. vii, 1, 26; vii, 4, 12. 3 Xen. Hellen. vii, 1, 27. 'E/cet rfe e/li96vref, T& fiev $e> ovdev EKOIVUGOV- 10, 67rf av 7f eipqvTi yt'votro, avrol Se ,3ot>Aeiovro.
- Xen. Hellen. vii, 1, 27 ; Diodor. xv, 70.
Diodorus states that Philiskus was sent by Artaxerxes ; which seems not exact ; he was sent by Ariobarzanes in the name of Artaxerxes. Diodorus also says that Philiskus left two thousand mercenaries with pay provided, for the service of the Lacedaemonians ; which troops are never afterwards mentioned.
