cato major, hearing some commend one that was rash, and inconsideratelydaring in a battle, said, "there is a difference between a man's prizingvalour at a great rate, and valuing life at little； a very just remark.antigonus, we know, at least, had a soldier, a venturous fellow, butof wretched health and constitution； the reason of whose ill-lookhe took the trouble to inquire into； and, on understanding from himthat it was a disease, commanded his physicians to employ their utmostskill, and if possible recover him； which brave hero, when once cured,never afterwards sought danger or showed himself venturous in battle；and, when antigonus wondered and upbraided him with his change, madeno secret of the reason, and said, "sir, you are the cause of my cowardice,by freeing me from those miseries which made me care little for life."with the same feeling, the sybarite seems to have said of the spartans,that it was no commendable thing in them to be so ready to die inthe wars, since by that they were freed from such hard labour andmiserable living. in truth, the sybarites, a soft and dissolute people,might well imagine they hated life, because in their eager pursuitof virtue and glory they were not afraid to die； but, in fact, thelacedaemonians found their virtue secured them happiness alike inliving or in dying； as we see in the epitaph that says-
"they died, but not as lavish of their blood, or thinking death itself was simply good； their wishes neither were to live nor die, but to do both alike commendably."
an endeavour to avoid death is not blamable, if we do not basely desireto live； nor a willingness to die good and virtuous, if it proceedsfrom a contempt of life. and therefore homer always takes care tobring his bravest and most daring heroes well armed into battle； andthe greek law-givers punished those that threw away their shields,but not him that lost his sword or spear； intimating that self-defenceis more a man's business than offence. this is especially true ofa governor of a city, or a general； for it, as iphicrates dividesit out, the light-armed are the hands； the horse the feet； the infantrythe breast； and the general the head； and, when he puts himself upondanger, not only ventures his own person, but all those whose safetydepends on his； and so on the contrary. callicratidas, therefore,though otherwise a great man, was wrong in his answer to the augurwho advised him, the sacrifice being unlucky, to be careful of hislife； "sparta," said he, "will not miss one man." it is true, callicratidas,when simply serving in any engagement either at sea or land, was buta single person, but as a general, he united in his life the livesof all, and could hardly be called one when his death involved theruin of so many. the saying of old antigonus was better, who, whenhe was to fight at andros, and one told him, "the enemy's ships aremore than ours；" replied, "for how many then wilt thou reckon me？"intimating that a brave and experienced commander is to be highlyvalued, one of the first duties of whose office indeed it is to savehim on whose safety depends that of others. and therefore i applaudtimotheus, who, when chares showed the wounds he had received, andhis shield pierced by a dart, told him, "yet how ashamed i was, atthe siege of samos, when a dart fell near me, for exposing myself,more like a boy than like a general in command of a large army." indeed,where the general's hazarding himself will go far to decide the result,there he must fight and venture his person, and not mind their maxims,who would have a general die, if not of, at least in old age； butwhen the advantage will be but small if he gets the better, and theloss considerable if he falls, who then would desire, at the riskof the commander's life, a piece of success which a common soldiermight obtain？ this i thought fit to premise before the lives of pelopidasand marcellus, who were both great men, but who both fell by theirown rashness. for, being gallant men, and having gained their respectivecountries great glory and reputation by their conduct in war againstterrible enemies, the one, as history relates, overthrowing hannibal,who was till then invincible； the other, in a set battle beating thelacedaemonians, then supreme both at sea and land； they ventured atlast too far, and were heedlessly prodigal of their lives, when therewas the greatest need of men and commanders such as they. and thisagreement in their characters and their deaths is the reason why icompare their lives.
pelopidas, the son of hippoclus, was descended, as likewise epaminondaswas, from an honourable family in thebes； and, being brought up toopulence, and having a fair estate left him whilst he was young, hemade it his business to relieve the good and deserving amongst thepoor, that he might show himself lord and not slave of his estate.for amongst men, as aristotle observes, some are too narrow-mindedto use their wealth, and some are loose and abuse it； and these liveperpetual slaves to their pleasures, as the others to their gain.others permitted themselves to be obliged by pelopidas, and thankfullymade use of his liberality and kindness； but amongst all his friendshe could never persuade epaminondas to be a sharer in his wealth.he, however, stepped down into his poverty, and took pleasure in thesame poor attire, spare diet, unwearied endurance of hardships, andunshrinking boldness in war； like capaneus in euripides, who had-
"abundant wealth and in that wealth no pride," he was ashamed anyone should think that he spent more upon his person than the meanesttheban. epaminondas made his familiar and hereditary poverty morelight and easy by his philosophy and single life； but pelopidas marrieda woman of good family, and had children； yet still thinking littleof his private interests, and devoting all his time to the public,he ruined his estate： and, when his friends admonished and told himhow necessary that money which he neglected was： "yes," he replied,"necessary to nicodemus," pointing to a blind cripple.
both seemed equally fitted by nature for all sorts of excellence；but bodily exercises chiefly delighted pelopidas, learning epaminondas；and the one spent his spare hours in hunting and the palaestra, theother in hearing lectures or philosophizing. and, amongst a thousandpoints for praise in both, the judicious esteem nothing equal to thatconstant benevolence and friendship, which they inviolably preservedin all their expeditions, public actions, and administration of thecommonwealth. for if any one looks on the administrations of aristidesand themistocles, of cimon and pericles, of nicias and alcibiades,what confusion, what envy, what mutual jealousy appears？ and if hethen casts his eye on the kindness and reverence that pelopidas showedepaminondas, he must needs confess that these are more truly and morejustly styled colleagues in government and command than the others,who strove rather to overcome one another than their enemies. thetrue cause of this was their virtue； whence it came that they didnot make their actions aim at wealth and glory, an endeavour sureto lead to bitter and contentious jealousy； but both from the beginningbeing inflamed with a divine desire of seeing their country gloriousby their exertions, they used to that end one another's excellencesas their own. many, indeed, think this strict and entire affectionis to be dated from the battle at mantinea, where they both fought,being part of the succours that were sent from thebes to the lacedaemonians,their then friends and allies. for, being placed together amongstthe infantry, and engaging the arcadians, when the lacedaemonian wing,in which they fought, gave ground, and many fled, they closed theirshields together and resisted the assailants. pelopidas, having receivedseven wounds in the forepart of his body, fell upon an heap of slainfriends and enemies； but epaminondas, though he thought him past recovery,advanced to defend his arms and body, and singly fought a multitude,resolving rather to die than forsake his helpless pelopidas. and now,he being much distressed, being wounded in the breast by a spear,and in the arm by a sword, agesipolis, the king of the spartans, cameto his succour from the other wing, and beyond hope delivered both.
after this the lacedaemonians pretended to be friends to thebes, butin truth looked with jealous suspicions on the designs and power ofthe city, and chiefly hated the party of ismenias and androclides,in which pelopidas also was an associate, as tending to liberty andthe advancement of the commonalty. therefore archias, leontidas, andphilip, all rich men, and of oligarchical principles, and immoderatelyambitious, urged phoebidas the spartan, as he was on his way pastthe city with a considerable force, to surprise the cadmea, and, banishingthe contrary faction, to establish an oligarchy, and by that meanssubject the city to the supremacy of the spartans. he, accepting theproposal, at the festival of ceres unexpectedly fell on the thebans,and made himself master of the citadel. ismenias was taken, carriedto sparta, and in a short time murdered； but pelopidas, pherenicus,androclides, and many more that fled were publicly proclaimed outlaws.epaminondas stayed at home, being not much looked after, as one whomphilosophy had made inactive and poverty incapable.
the lacedaemonians cashiered phoebidas, and fined him one hundredthousand drachmas, yet still kept a garrison in the cadmea； whichmade all greece wonder at their inconsistency, since they punishedthe doer, but approved the deed. and though the thebans, having losttheir polity, and being enslaved by archias and leontidas, had nohopes to get free from this tyranny, which they saw guarded by thewhole military power of the spartans, and had no means to break theyoke, unless these could be deposed from their command of sea andland； yet leontidas and his associates, understanding the exiles livedat athens in favour with the people, and with honour from all thegood and virtuous, formed secret designs against their lives, and,suborning some unknown fellows, despatched androclides, but were notsuccessful on the rest. letters, besides, were sent from sparta tothe athenians, warning them neither to receive nor countenance theexiles, but expel them as declared common enemies of the confederacy.but the athenians, from their natural hereditary inclination to bekind, and also to make a grateful return to the thebans, who had verymuch assisted them in restoring their democracy, and had publiclyenacted, that if any athenian would march armed through boeotia againstthe tyrants, that no boeotian should either see or hear it, did thethebans no harm.
pelopidas, though one of the youngest, was active in privately excitingeach single exile； and often told them at their meetings that it wasboth dishonourable and impious to neglect their enslaved and engarrisonedcountry, and, lazily contented with their own lives and safety, dependon the decree of the athenians, and through fear fawn on every smooth-tonguedorator that was able to work upon the people： no, they must venturefor this great prize, taking thrasybulus's bold courage for example,and as he advanced from thebes and broke the power of the atheniantyrants, so they should march from athens and free thebes. when bythis method he had persuaded them, they privately despatched somepersons to those friends they had left at thebes, and acquainted themwith their designs. their plans being approved, charon, a man of thegreatest distinction, offered his house for their reception； phillidascontrived to get himself made secretary to archias and philip, whothen held the office of polemarch or chief captain； and epaminondashad already inflamed the youth. for, in their exercises, he had encouragedthem to challenge and wrestle with the spartans, and again, when hesaw them puffed up with victory and success, sharply told them, thatit was the greatest shame to be such cowards as to serve those whomin strength they so much excelled.
the day of action being fixed, it was agreed upon by the exiles thatpherenicus with the rest should stay at the thriasian plain, whilesome few of the younger men tried the first danger, by endeavouringto get into the city； and, if they were surprised by their enemies,the others should take care to provide for their children and parents.pelopidas first offered to undertake the business； then melon, damoclides,and theopompus, men of noble families, who, in other things lovingand faithful to one another, were rivals constant only in glory andcourageous exploits. they were twelve in all, and having taken leaveof those that stayed behind sent a messenger to charon, they wentforward, clad in short coats, and carrying hounds and hunting-poleswith them, that they might be taken for hunters beating over the fields,and prevent all suspicion in those that met them on the way. whenthe messenger came to charon, and told him they were approaching,he did not change his resolution at the sight of danger, but, beinga man of his word, offered them his house. but one hipposthenidas,a man of no ill principles, a lover of his country, and a friend tothe exiles, but not of as much resolution as the shortness of timeand the character of the action required, being as it were dizziedat the greatness of the approaching enterprise； and beginning nowfor the first time to comprehend that, relying on that weak assistancewhich could be expected from the exiles, they were undertaking noless a task than to shake the government, and overthrow the wholepower of sparta； went privately to his house and sent a friend tomelon and pelopidas, desiring them to forbear for the present, toreturn to athens and expect a better opportunity. the messenger'sname was chlidon, who, going home in haste and bringing out his horse,asked for the bridle； but, his wife not knowing where it was, and,when it could not be found, telling him she had lent it to a friend,first they began to chide, then to curse one another, and his wifewished the journey might prove ill to him and those that sent him；insomuch that chlidon's passion made him waste a great part of theday in this quarrelling, and then, looking on this chance as an omen,he laid aside all thoughts of his journey, and went away to some otherbusiness. so nearly had these great and glorious designs, even intheir very birth, lost their opportunity.
but pelopidas and his companions, dressing themselves like countrymen,divided, and, whilst it was yet day, entered at different quartersof the city. it was, besides, a windy day, and now it just began tosnow, which contributed much to their concealment, because most peoplewere gone indoors to avoid the weather. those, however, that wereconcerned in the design received them as they came, and conductedthem to charon's house, where the exiles and others made up forty-eightin number. the tyrant's affairs stood thus： the secretary, phillidas,as i have already observed, was an accomplice in and privy to allthe contrivance of the exiles, and he a while before had invited archias,with others, to an entertainment on that day, to drink freely, andmeet some women of the town, on purpose that when they were drunk,and given up to their pleasures, he might deliver them over to theconspirators. but before archias was thoroughly heated notice wasgiven him that the exiles were privately in the town； a true reportindeed, but obscure, and not well confirmed： nevertheless, thoughphillidas endeavoured to divert the discourse, archias sent one ofhis guards to charon, and commanded him to attend immediately. itwas evening, and pelopidas and his friends with him in the house wereputting themselves into a fit posture for action, having their breastplateson already, and their swords girt： but at the sudden knocking at thedoor, one stepping forth to inquire the matter, and learning fromthe officer that charon was sent for by the polemarch, returned ingreat confusion and acquainted those within； and immediately conjecturedthat the whole plot was discovered, and they should be cut in pieces,before so much as achieving any action to do credit to their bravery：yet all agreed that charon should obey and attend the polemarch toprevent suspicion. charon was, indeed, a man of courage and resolutionin all dangers, yet in this case he was extremely concerned, lestany should suspect that he was the traitor and the death of so manybrave citizens he laid on him. and, therefore, when he was ready todepart, he brought his son out of the women's apartment, a littleboy as yet, but one of the best looking and strongest of all thoseof his age, and delivered him to pelopidas with these words： "if youfind me a traitor, treat the boy as an enemy without any mercy." theconcern which charon showed drew tears from many； but all protestedvehemently against his supposing any one of them so mean-spiritedand base, at the appearance of approaching danger, as to suspect orblame him； and therefore desired him not to involve his son, but toset him out of harm's way： that so he, perhaps escaping the tyrant'spower, might live to revenge the city and his friends. charon, however,refused to remove him, and asked, "what life, what safety could bemore honourable, than to die bravely with his father and such generouscompanions？" thus, imploring the protection of the gods, and salutingand encouraging them all, he departed, considering with himself, andcomposing his voice and countenance, that he might look as littlelike as possible to what in fact he really was.
when he was come to the door, archias with phillidas came out to him,and said, "i have heard, charon, that there are some men just come,and lurking in the town, and that some of the citizens are resortingto them." charon was at first disturbed, but asking, "who are they？and who conceals them？" and finding archias did not thoroughly understandthe matter, he concluded that none of those privy to the design hadgiven this information, and replied, "do not disturb yourselves foran empty rumour： i will look into it, however, for no report in sucha case is to be neglected." phillidas, who stood by, commended him,and leading back archias, got him deep in drink, still prolongingthe entertainment with the hopes of the women's company at last. butwhen charon returned, and found the men prepared, not as if they hopedfor safety and success, but to die bravely and with the slaughterof their enemies, he told pelopidas and his friends the truth, butpretended to others in the house that archias talked to him aboutsomething else, inventing a story for the occasion. this storm wasjust blowing over, when fortune brought another； for a messenger camewith a letter from one archias, the hierophant at athens, to his namesakearchias, who was his friend and guest. this did not merely containa vague conjectural suspicion, but, as it appeared afterwards, disclosedevery particular of the design. the messenger being brought in toarchias, who was now pretty well drunk, and delivering the letter,said to him, "the writer of this desired it might be read at once；it is on urgent business." archias, with a smile, replied, "urgentbusiness tomorrow," and so receiving the letter, he put it under hispillow, and returned to what he had been speaking of with phillidas,and these words of his are a proverb to this day amongst the greeks.
now when the opportunity seemed convenient for action, they set outin two companies； pelopidas and damoclides with their party went againstleontidas and hypates, that lived near together； charon and melonagainst archias and philip, having put on women's apparel over theirbreastplates, and thick garlands of fir and pine to shade their faces；and so, as soon as they came to the door, the guests clapped and gavean huzza, supposing them to be the women they expected. but when theconspirators had looked about the room, and carefully marked all thatwere at the entertainment, they drew their swords, and making at archiasand philip amongst the tables, disclosed who they were. phillidaspersuaded some few of his guests to sit still, and those that gotup and endeavoured to assist the polemarch, being drunk, were easilydespatched. but pelopidas and his party met with a harder task； asthey attempted leontidas, a sober and formidable man, and when theycame to his house found his door shut, he being already gone to bed.they knocked a long time before any one would answer, but at last,a servant that heard them, coming out and unbarring the door, as soonas the gate gave way, they rushed in, and, overturning the man, madeall haste to leontidas's chamber. but leontidas, guessing at the matterby the noise and running, leaped from his bed and drew his dagger,but forgot to put out the lights, and by that means make them fallfoul of one another in the dark. as it was, being easily seen by reasonof the light, he received them at his chamber door and stabbed cephisodorus,the first man that entered： on his falling, the next that he engagedwas pelopidas； and the passage being narrow and cephisodorus's bodylying in the way, there was a fierce and dangerous conflict. at lastpelopidas prevailed, and having killed leontidas, he and his companionswent in pursuit of hypates, and after the same manner broke into hishouse. he perceived the design and fled to his neighbours； but theyclosely followed, and caught and killed him.
this done they joined melon and sent to hasten the exiles they hadleft in attica： and called upon the citizens to maintain their liberty,and taking down the spoils from the porches, and breaking open allthe armourers' shops that were near, equipped those that came to theirassistance. epaminondas and gorgidas came in already armed, with agallant train of young men and the best of the old. now the city wasin a great excitement and confusion, a great noise and hurry, lightsset up in every house, men running here and there； however, the peopledid not as yet gather into a body, but, amazed at the proceedings,and not clearly understanding the matter, waited for the day. and,therefore, the spartan officers were thought to have been in faultfor not falling on at once, since their garrison consisted of aboutfifteen hundred men, and many of the citizens ran to them； but, alarmedwith the noise, the fires, and the confused running of the people,they kept quietly within the cadmea. as soon as day appeared, theexiles from attica came in armed, and there was a general assemblyof the people. epaminondas and gorgidas brought forth pelopidas andhis party, encompassed by the priests, who held out garlands, andexhorted the people to fight for their country and their gods. theassembly, at their appearance, rose up in a body and with shouts andacclamations received the men as their deliverers and benefactors.
then pelopidas, being chosen chief captain of boeotia, together withmelon and charon, proceeded at once to blockade the citadel and stormedit on all sides, being extremely desirous to expel the lacedaemonians,and free the cadmea, before an army could come from sparta to theirrelief. and he just so narrowly succeeded, that they, having surrenderedon terms and departed, on their way home met cleombrotus at megaramarching towards thebes with a considerable force. the spartans condemnedand executed herippidas and arcissus, two of their governors, at thebes,and lysanoridas the third, being severely fined, fled to peloponnesus.this action so closely resembling that of thrasybulus, in the courageof the actors, the danger, the encounters, and equally crowned withsuccess, was called the sister of it by the greeks. for we can scarcelyfind any other examples where so small and weak a party of men bybold courage overcame such numerous and powerful enemies, or broughtgreater blessings to their country by so doing. but the subsequentchange of affairs made this action the more famous； for the war whichforever ruined the pretensions of sparta to command, and put an endto the supremacy she then exercised alike by sea and by land, proceededfrom that night, in which pelopidas not surprising any fort, or castle,or citadel, but coming, the twelfth man, to a private house, loosedand broke, if we may speak truth in metaphor, the chains of the spartansway, which before seemed of adamant and indissoluble.
but now the lacedaemonians invading boeotia with a great army, theathenians, affrighted at the danger, declared themselves no alliesto thebes, and prosecuting those that stood for the boeotian interest,executed some, and banished and fined others： and the cause of thebes,destitute of allies, seemed in a desperate condition. but pelopidasand gorgidas, holding the office of captains of boeotia, designingto breed a quarrel between the lacedaemonians and athenians, madethis contrivance. one sphodrias, a spartan, a man famous indeed forcourage in battle, but of no sound judgment, full of ungrounded hopesand foolish ambition, was left with an army at thespiae, to receiveand succour the theban renegades. to him pelopidas and his colleaguesprivately sent a merchant, one of their friends, with money, and,what proved more efficient, advice- that it more became a man of hisworth to set upon some great enterprise, and that he should, makinga sudden incursion on the unprotected athenians, surprise the piraeus；since nothing could be so grateful to sparta as to take athens； andthe thebans, of course, would not stir to the assistance of men whomthey now hated and looked upon as traitors. sphodrias, being at lastwrought upon, marched into attica by night with his army, and advancedas far as eleusis； but there his soldiers' hearts failing, after exposinghis project and involving the spartans in a dangerous war, he retreatedto thespiae. after this the athenians zealously sent supplies to thebes,and putting to sea, sailed to many places, and offered support andprotection to all those of the greeks who were willing to revolt.
the thebans, meantime, singly, having many skirmishes with the spartansin boeotia, and fighting some battles, not great indeed, but importantas training and instructing them, thus had their minds raised, andtheir bodies inured to labour, and gained both experience and courageby these frequent encounters, insomuch that we have it related thatantalcidas, the spartan, said to agesilaus, returning wounded fromboeotia, "indeed, the thebans have paid you handsomely for instructingthem in the art of war, against their wills." in real truth, however,agesilaus was not their master in this, but those that prudently andopportunely, as men do young dogs, set them on their enemies, andbrought them safely off after they had tasted the sweets of victoryand resolution. of all those leaders, pelopidas deserves the mosthonour： as after they had once chosen him general, he was every yearin command as long as he lived； either captain of the sacred band,or, what was most frequent, chief captain of boeotia. about plataeaand thespiae the spartans were routed and put to flight, and phoebidas,that surprised the cadmea, slain； and at tanagra a considerable forcewas worsted, and the leader panthoides killed. but these encounters,though they raised the victors' spirits, did not thoroughly disheartenthe unsuccessful； for there was no set battle, or regular fighting,but mere incursions on advantage, in which, according to occasion,they charged, retired again, or pursued. but the battle at tegyrae,which seemed a prelude to leuctra, won pelopidas great reputation；for none of the other commanders could claim any hand in the design,nor the enemies any show of victory. the city of the orchomenianssiding with the spartans, and having received two companies for itsguard, he kept a constant eye upon it, and watched his opportunity.hearing that the garrison had moved into locris, and hoping to findorchomenus defenceless, he marched with his sacred band and some fewhorsemen. but when he approached the city, and found that a reinforcementof the garrison was on its, march from sparta, he made a circuit roundthe foot of the mountains, and retreated with his little army throughtegyrae, that being the only way he could pass. for the river melas,almost as soon as it rises, spreads itself into marshes and navigablepools, and makes all the plain between impassable. a little belowthe marshes stands the temple and oracle of apollo tegyraeus, forsakennot long before that time, having flourished till the median wars,echecrates then being priest. here they profess that the god was born；the neighbouring mountain is called delos, and there the river melascomes again into a channel； beyond the temples rises two springs,admirable for the sweetness, abundance, and coolness of the streams；one they called phoenix, the other elaea, even to the present time,as if lucina had not been delivered between two trees, but fountains.a place hard by, called ptoum, is shown, where they say she was affrightedby the appearance of a boar； and the stories of the python and tityusare in like manner appropriated by these localities. i omit many ofthe points that are used as arguments. for our tradition does notrank this god amongst those that were born, and then made immortal,as hercules and bacchus, whom their virtue raised above a mortal andpassable condition； but apollo is one of the eternal unbegotten deities,if we may collect any certainty concerning these things, from thestatements of the oldest and wisest in such subjects.
as the thebans were retreating from orchomenus towards tegyrae, thespartans, at the same time marching from locris, met them. as soonas they came in view, advancing through the straits, one told pelopidas,"we are fallen into our enemy's hands；" he replied, "and why not theyinto ours？" and immediately commanded his horse to come up from therear and charge, while he himself drew his infantry, being three hundredin number, into a close body, hoping by that means, at whatsoeverpoint he made the attack, to break his way through his more numerousenemies. the spartans had two companies （the company consisting, asephorus states, of five hundred； callisthenes says seven hundred；others, as polybius, nine hundred）； and their leaders, gorgoleon andtheopompus, confident of success, advanced upon the thebans. the chargebeing made with much fury, chiefly where the commanders were posted,the spartan captains that engaged pelopidas were first killed； andthose immediately around them suffering severely, the whole army wasthus disheartened, and opened a lane for the thebans as if they desiredto pass through and escape. but when pelopidas entered, and turningagainst those that stood their ground, still went with a bloody slaughter,an open flight ensued amongst the spartans. the pursuit was carriedbut a little way, because they feared the neighbouring orchomeniansand the reinforcements from lacedaemon； they had succeeded, however,in fighting a way through their enemies, and overpowering their wholeforce； and, therefore, erecting a trophy, and spoiling the slain,they returned home extremely encouraged with their achievements. forin all the great wars there had ever been against greeks or barbarians,the spartans were never before beaten by a smaller company than theirown； nor, indeed, in a set battle, when their number was equal. hencetheir courage was thought irresistible, and their high repute beforethe battle made a conquest already of enemies, who thought themselvesno match for the men of sparta even on equal terms. but this battlefirst taught the other greeks, that not only eurotas, or the countrybetween babyce and cnacion, breeds men of courage and resolution,but that where the youth are ashamed of baseness, and ready to venturein a good cause, where they fly disgrace more than danger, there,wherever it be, are found the bravest and most formidable opponents.
gorgidas, according to some, first formed the sacred band of threehundred chosen men, to whom, as being a guard for the citadel, thestate allowed provision, and all things necessary for exercise： andhence they were called the city band, as citadels of old were usuallycalled cities. others say that it was composed of young men attachedto each other by personal affection, and a pleasant saying of pammenesis current, that homer's nestor was not well skilled in ordering anarmy, when he advised the greeks to rank tribe and tribe, and familyand family together, that-
"so tribe might tribe, and kinsmen kinsmen aid." but that he shouldhave joined lovers and their beloved. for men of the same tribe orfamily little value one another when dangers press； but a band cementedby friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible；since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, andthe beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for therelief of one another. nor can that be wondered at since they havemore regard for their absent lovers than for others present； as inthe instance of the man who, when his enemy was going to kill him,earnestly requested him to run him through the breast, that his lovermight not blush to see him wounded in the back. it is a traditionlikewise that iolaus, who assisted hercules in his labours and foughtat his side, was beloved of him； and aristotle observes that, evenin his time, lovers plighted their faith at iolaus's tomb. it is likely,therefore, that this band was called sacred on this account； as platocalls a lover a divine friend. it is stated that it was never beatentill the battle at chaeronea： and when philip, after the fight, tooka view of the slain, and came to the place where the three hundredthat fought his phalanx lay dead together, he wondered, and understandingthat it was the band of lovers, he shed tears and said, "perish anyman who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything thatwas base."
it was not the disaster of laius, as the poets imagine, that firstgave rise to this form of attachment amongst the thebans, but theirlawgivers, designing to soften whilst they were young their naturalfierceness, brought, for example, the pipe into great esteem, bothin serious and sportive occasions, and gave great encouragement tothese friendships in the palaestra, to temper the manners and charactersof the youth. with a view to this they did well, again, to make harmony,the daughter of mars and venus, their tutelar deity； since, whereforce and courage is joined with gracefulness and winning behaviour,a harmony ensues that combines all the elements of society in perfectconsonance and order. gorgidas distributed this sacred band all throughthe front ranks of the infantry, and thus made their gallantry lessconspicuous； not being united in one body, but mingled with so manyothers of inferior resolution, they had no fair opportunity of showingwhat they could do. but pelopidas, having sufficiently tried theirbravery at tegyrae, where they had fought alone and around his ownperson, never afterward divided them, but, keeping them entire, andas one man, gave them the first duty in the greatest battles. foras horses ran brisker in a chariot than singly, not that their jointforce divides the air with greater ease, but because being matchedone against the other emulation kindles and inflames their courage；thus he thought brave men, provoking one another to noble actions,would prove most serviceable, and most resolute, where all were unitedtogether.
now when the lacedaemonians had made peace with the other greeks,and united all their strength against the thebans only, and theirking, cleombrotus, had passed the frontier with ten thousand footand one thousand horse, and not only subjection, as heretofore, buttotal dispersion and annihilation threatened, and boeotia was in agreater fear than ever- pelopidas, leaving his house, when his wifefollowed him on his way, and with tears begged him to be careful ofhis life, made answer, "private men, my wife, should be advised tolook to themselves, generals to save others." and when he came tothe camp, and found the chief captains disagreeing, he, first, joinedthe side of epaminondas, who advised to fight the enemy； though pelopidashimself was not then in office as chief captain of boeotia, but incommand of the sacred band, and trusted as it was fit a man shouldbe, who had given his country such proofs of his zeal for its freedom.and so when a battle was agreed on, and they encamped in front ofthe spartans at leuctra, pelopidas saw a vision, which much discomposedhim. in that plain lie the bodies of the daughters of one scedasus,called from the place leuctridae, having been buried there after havingbeen ravished by some spartan strangers. when this base and lawlessdeed was done, and their father could get no satisfaction at lacedaemon,with bitter imprecations on the spartans, he killed himself at hisdaughters' tombs： and from that time the prophecies and oracles stillwarned them to have a great care of the divine vengeance at leuctra.many, however, did not understand the meaning, being uncertain aboutthe place, because there was a little maritime town of laconia calledleuctron, and near megalopolis in arcadia a place of the same name；and the villainy was committed long before this battle.
now pelopidas, being asleep in the camp, thought he saw the maidensweeping about their tombs, and cursing the spartans, and scedasuscommanding, if they desired the victory, to sacrifice a virgin withchestnut hair to his daughters. pelopidas looked on this as an harshand impious injunction, but rose and told it to the prophets and commandersof the army, some of whom contended that it was fit to obey, and adducedas examples from the ancients, menoeceus, son of creon； macaria, daughterof hercules； and from later times, pherecydes the philosopher, slainby the lacedaemonians, and his skin, as the oracles advised, stillkept by their kings. leonidas, again, warned by the oracle, did asit were sacrifice himself for the good of greece； themistocles offeredhuman victims to bacchus omestes, before the engagement at salamis；and success showed their actions to be good. on the contrary, agesilaus,going from the same place, and against the same enemies that agamemnondid, and being commanded in a dream at aulis to sacrifice his daughter,was so weak as to disobey； the consequence of which was, that hisexpedition was unsuccessful and inglorious. but some on the otherside urged that such a barbarous and impious obligation could notbe pleasing to any superior beings； that typhons and giants did notpreside over the world, but the general father of gods and men； thatit was absurd to imagine any divinities or powers delighted in slaughterand sacrifices of men； or, if there were such, they were to be neglectedas weak and unable to assist； such unreasonable and cruel desirescould only proceed from, and live in, weak and depraved minds.
the commanders thus disputing, and pelopidas being in a great perplexity,a mare colt breaking from the herd, ran through the camp, and whenshe came to the place where they were stood still； and whilst someadmired her bright chestnut colour, others her mettle, or the strengthand fury of her neighing, theocritus, the augur, took thought, andcried out to pelopidas, "o good friend！ look, the sacrifice is come；expect no other virgin, but use that which the gods have sent thee."with that they took the colt, and, leading her to the maidens' sepulchres,with the usual solemnity and prayers, offered her with joy, and spreadthrough the whole army the account of pelopidas's dream, and how theyhad given the required sacrifice.
in the battle, epaminondas, bending his phalanx to the left, that,as much as possible, he might divide the right wing, composed of spartans,from the other greeks, and distress cleombrotus by a fierce chargein column on that wing, the enemies perceived the design, and beganto change their order, to open and extend their right wing, and, asthey far exceeded him in number, to encompass epaminondas. but pelopidaswith the three hundred came rapidly up, before cleombrotus could extendhis line, and close up his divisions, and so fell upon the spartanswhile in disorder； though the lacedaemonians, the expertest and mostpractised soldiers of all mankind, used to train and accustom themselvesto nothing so much as to keep themselves from confusion upon any changeof position, and to follow any leader, or right-hand man, and formin order, and fight on what part soever dangers press. in this battle,however, epaminondas with his phalanx, neglecting the other greeks,and charging them alone, and pelopidas coming up with such incrediblespeed and fury, so broke their courage and baffled their art thatthere began such a flight and slaughter amongst the spartans as wasnever before known. and so pelopidas, though in no high office, butonly captain of a small band, got as much reputation by the victoryas epaminondas, who was general and chief captain of boeotia.
into peloponnesus, however, they both advanced together as colleaguesin supreme command, and gained the greater part of the nations therefrom the spartan confederacy； elis, argos, all arcadia, and much oflaconia itself. it was the dead of winter, and but few of the lastdays of the month remained, and, in the beginning of the next, fewofficers were to succeed, and whoever failed to deliver up his chargeforfeited his head. therefore, the other chief captains fearing thelaw, and to avoid the sharpness of the winter, advised a retreat.but pelopidas joined with epaminondas, and, encouraging his countrymen,led them against sparta, and, passing the eurotas, took many of thetowns, and wasted the country as far as the sea. this army consistedof seventy thousand greeks, of which number the thebans could notmake the twelfth part； but the reputation of the men made all theirallies contented to follow them as leaders, though no articles tothat effect had been made. for, indeed, it seems the first and paramountlaw, that he that wants a defender is naturally a subject to him thatis able to defend： as mariners, though in a calm or in the port theygrow insolent, and brave the pilot, yet when a storm comes, and dangeris at hand, they all attend, and put their hopes in him. so the argives,eleans, and arcadians, in their congresses, would contend with thethebans for superiority in command, yet in a battle, or any hazardousundertaking, of their own will followed their theban captains. inthis expedition they united all arcadia into one body, and expellingthe spartans that inhabited messenia, they called back the old messenians,and established them in ithome in one body；- and, returning throughcenchreae, they dispersed the athenians, who designed to set uponthem in the straits, and hinder their march.
for these exploits, all the other greeks loved their courage and admiredtheir success； but among their own citizens, envy, still increasingwith their glory, prepared them no pleasing nor agreeable reception.both were tried for their lives, because they did not deliver up theircommand in the first month, bucatius, as the law required, but keptit four months longer, in which time they did these memorable actionsin messenia, arcadia, and laconia. pelopidas was first tried, andtherefore in greatest danger, but both were acquitted. epaminondasbore the accusation and trial very patiently, esteeming it a greatand essential part of courage and generosity not to resent injuriesin political life. but pelopidas, being a man of a fiercer temper,and stirred on by his friends to revenge the affront, took the followingoccasion. meneclidas, the orator, was one of those that had met withmelon and pelopidas at charon's house； but not receiving equal honour,and being powerful in his speech, but loose in his manners, and ill-natured,he abused his natural endowments, even after this trial, to accuseand calumniate his betters. he excluded epaminondas from the chiefcaptaincy, and for a long time kept the upper hand of him, but hewas not powerful enough to bring pelopidas out of the people's favour,and therefore endeavoured to raise a quarrel between him and charon.and since it is some comfort to the envious to make those men, whomthemselves cannot excel, appear worse than others, he studiously enlargedupon charon's actions in his speeches to the people, and made panegyricson his expeditions and victories； and, of the victory which the horsemenwon at plataea, before the battle at leuctra, under charon's command,he endeavoured to make the following sacred memorial. androcydes,the cyzicenian, had undertaken to paint a previous battle for thecity, and was at work in thebes： and when the revolt began, and thewar came on, the thebans kept the picture that was then almost finished.this picture meneclidas persuaded them to dedicate, inscribed withcharon's name, designing by that means to obscure the glory of epaminondasand pelopidas. this was a ludicrous piece of pretension, to set asingle victory, where only one gerandas, an obscure spartan, and fortymore were slain, above such numerous and important battles. this motionpelopidas opposed, as contrary to law, alleging that it was not thecustom of the thebans to honour any single man, but to attribute thevictory to their country； yet in all the contest he extremely commendedcharon, and confined himself to showing meneclidas to be a troublesomeand envious fellow, asking the thebans, if they had done nothing thatwas excellent insomuch that meneclidas was severely fined； and he,being unable to pay, endeavoured afterwards to disturb the government.these things give us some light into pelopidas's life.
now when alexander, the tyrant of pherae, made open war against someof the thessalians, and had designs against all, the cities sent anembassy to thebes, to desire succours and a general； and pelopidas,knowing that epaminondas was detained by the peloponnesian affairs,offered himself to lead the thessalians, being unwilling to let hiscourage and skill lie idle, and thinking it unfit that epaminondasshould be withdrawn from his present duties. when he came into thessalywith his army, he presently took larissa, and endeavoured to reclaimalexander, who submitted, and bring him, from being a tyrant, to governgently, and according to law； but finding him untractable and brutish,and hearing great complaints of his lust and cruelty, pelopidas beganto be severe, and used him roughly, insomuch that the tyrant stoleaway privately with his guard. but pelopidas, leaving the thessaliansfearless of the tyrant, and friends amongst themselves, marched intomacedonia, where ptolemy was then at war with alexander the king ofmacedon； both parties having sent for him to hear and determine theirdifferences, and assist the one that appeared injured. when he came,he reconciled them, calling back the exiles； and receiving for hostagesphilip the king's brother, and thirty children of the nobles, he broughtthem to thebes； showing the other greeks how wide a reputation thethebans had gained for honesty and courage. this was that philip whoafterwards endeavoured to enslave the greeks； then he was a boy, livedwith pammenes in thebes； and hence some conjecture that he took epaminondas'sactions for the rule of his own； and perhaps, indeed, he did takeexample from his activity and skill in war, which, however, was buta small portion of his virtues； of his temperance, justice, generosity,and mildness, in which he was truly great, philip enjoyed no shareeither by nature or imitation.
after this, upon a second complaint of the thessalians against alexanderof pherae, as a disturber of the cities, pelopidas was joined withismenias, in an embassy to him； but led no forces from thebes notexpecting any war, and therefore was necessitated to make use of thethessalians upon the emergency. at the same time, also, macedon wasin confusion again, as ptolemy had murdered the king, and seized thegovernment： but the king's friends sent for pelopidas, and he beingwilling to interpose in the matter, but having no soldiers of hisown, enlisted some mercenaries in that country, and with them marchedagainst ptolemy. when they faced one another ptolemy corrupted thesemercenaries with a sum of money, and persuaded them to revolt to him；but yet fearing the very name and reputation of pelopidas, he cameto him as his superior, submitted, begged his pardon, and protestedthat he kept the government only for the brothers of the dead king,and would prove a friend to the friends, and an enemy to the enemiesof thebes； and, to confirm this, he gave his son, philoxenus, andfifty of his companions, for hostages. these pelopidas sent to thebes；but he himself, being vexed at the treachery of the mercenaries, andunderstanding that most of their goods, their wives, and childrenlay at pharsalus, so that if he could take them the injury would besufficiently revenged, got together some of the thessalians, and marchedto pharsalus. when he just entered the city, alexander, the tyrant,appeared before it with an army； but pelopidas and his friends, thinkingthat he came to clear himself from those crimes that were laid tohis charge, went to him； and though they knew very well that he wasprofligate and cruel, yet they imagined that the authority of thebes,and their own dignity and reputation, would secure them from violence.but the tyrant, seeing them come unarmed and alone, seized them, andmade himself master of pharsalus. upon this his subjects were muchintimidated, thinking that after so great and so bold an iniquityhe would spare none, but behave himself toward all, and in all matters,as one despairing of his life.
the thebans, when they heard of this, were very much enraged, anddespatched an army, epaminondas being then in disgrace, under thecommand of other leaders. when the tyrant brought pelopidas to pherae,at first he permitted those that desired it to speak with him, imaginingthat this disaster would break his spirit, and make him appear contemptible.but when pelopidas advised the complaining pheraeans to be comforted,as if the tyrant was now certain in a short time to smart for hisinjuries, and sent to tell him, "that it was absurd daily to tormentand murder his wretched innocent subjects, and yet spare him, who,he well knew, if ever he got his liberty, would be bitterly revenged；"the tyrant, wondering at his boldness and freedom of speech, replied,"and why is pelopidas in haste to die？" he, hearing of it, rejoined,"that you may be the sooner ruined, being then more hated by the godsthan now." from that time he forbade any to converse with him； butthebe, the daughter of jason and wife to alexander, hearing from thekeepers of the bravery and noble behaviour of pelopidas, had a greatdesire to see and speak with him. now when she came into the prison,and, as a woman, could not at once discern his greatness in his calamity,only judging by the meanness of his attire and general appearance,that he was used basely and not befitting a man of his reputation,she wept. pelopidas, at first not knowing who she was, stood amazed；but when he understood, saluted her by her father's name- jason andhe having been friends and familiars- and she saying, "i pity yourwife, sir," he replied, "and i you, that though not in chains, canendure alexander." this touched the woman, who already hated alexanderfor his cruelty and injustice, for his general debaucheries, and forhis abuse of her youngest brother. she, therefore, often went to pelopidas,and, speaking freely of the indignities she suffered, grew more enragedand more exasperated against alexander.
the theban generals that were sent into thessaly did nothing, but,being either unskillful or unfortunate, made a dishonourable retreat,for which the city fined each of them ten thousand drachmas, and sentepaminondas with their forces. the thessalians, inspirited by thefame of this general, at once began to stir, and the tyrant's affairswere at the verge of destruction； so great was the fear that possessedhis captains and his friends, and so eager the desire of his subjectsto revolt, in hope of his speedy punishment. but epaminondas, moresolicitous for the safety of pelopidas than his own glory, and fearingthat if things came to extremity alexander would grow desperate, and,like a wild beast, turn and worry him, did not prosecute the war tothe utmost； but, hovering still over him with his army, he so handledthe tyrant as not to leave him any confidence, and yet not to drivehim to despair and fury. he was aware of his savageness, and the littlevalue he had for right and justice, insomuch that sometimes he buriedmen alive, and sometimes dressed them in bears' and boars' skins,and then baited them with dog, or shot at them for his divertisement.at meliboea and scotussa, two cities, his allies, he called all theinhabitants to an assembly, and then surrounded them and cut themto pieces with his guards. he consecrated the spear with which hekilled his uncle polyphron, and, crowning it with garlands, sacrificedto it as a god, and called it tychon. and once seeing a tragedianact euripides's troades, he left the theatre； but sending for theactor, bade him not to be concerned at his departure, but act as hehad been used to do, as it was not in contempt of him that he departed,but because he was ashamed that his citizens should see him, who neverpitied any man that he murdered, weep at the sufferings of hecubaand andromache. this tyrant, however alarmed at the very name, report,and appearance of an expedition under the conduct of epaminondas,presently-
"dropped like a craven cock his conquered wing." and sent an embassyto entreat and offer satisfaction. epaminondas refused to admit sucha man as an ally to the thebans, but granted him a truce of thirtydays, and pelopidas and ismenias being delivered up, returned home.
now the thebans, understanding that the spartans and athenians hadsent an embassy to the persians for assistance, themselves, likewise,sent pelopidas； an excellent design to increase his glory, no manhaving ever before passed through the dominions of the king with greaterfame and reputation. for the glory that he won against the spartansdid not creep slowly or obscurely； but, after the fame of the firstbattle at leuctra was gone abroad, the report of new victories continuallyfollowing, exceedingly increased, and spread his celebrity far andnear. whatever satraps or generals or commanders he met, he was theobject of their wonder and discourse. "this is the man," they said,"who hath beaten the lacedaemonians from sea and land, and confinedthat sparta within taygetus and eurotas, which, but a little before,under the conduct of agesilaus, was entering upon a war with the greatking about susa and ecbatana." this pleased artaxerxes, and he wasthe more inclined to show pelopidas attention and honour, being desirousto seem reverenced, and attended by the greatest. but when he sawhim and heard his discourse, more solid than the athenians, and notso haughty as the spartans, his regard was heightened, and, trulyacting like a king, he openly showed the respect that he felt forhim； and this the other ambassadors perceived. of all other greekshe had been thought to have done antalcidas, the spartan, the greatesthonour, by sending him that garland dipped in an unguent, which hehimself had worn at an entertainment. indeed, he did not deal so delicatelywith pelopidas, but, according to the custom, gave him the most splendidand considerable presents, and granted him his desires- that the greciansshould be free, messenia inhabited, and the thebans accounted theking's hereditary friends. with these answers, but not accepting oneof the presents, except what was a pledge of kindness and good-will,he returned. this behaviour of pelopidas ruined the other ambassadors；the athenians condemned and executed their timagoras, and, indeed,if they did it for receiving so many presents from the king, theirsentence was just and good； as he not only took gold and silver, buta rich bed, and slaves to make it, as if the greeks were unskillfulin that art； besides eighty cows and herdsmen, professing he neededcows' milk for some distemper； and, lastly, he was carried in a litterto the seaside, with a present of four talents for his attendants.but the athenians, perhaps, were not so much irritated at his greedinessfor the presents. for epicrates the baggage-carrier not only confessedto the people that he had received gifts from the king, but made amotion, that instead of nine archons, they should yearly choose ninepoor citizens to be sent ambassadors to the king, and enriched byhis presents, and the people only laughed at the joke. but they werevexed that the thebans obtained their desires, never considering thatpelopidas's fame was more powerful than all their rhetorical discourse,with a man who still inclined to the victorious in arms. this embassy,having obtained the restitution of messenia, and the freedom of theother greeks, got pelopidas a great deal of good-will at his return.
at this time, alexander the pheraean falling back to his old nature,and having seized many of the thessalian cities, and put garrisonsupon the achaeans of phthiotis, and the magnesians, the cities, hearingthat pelopidas was returned, sent an embassy to thebes requestingsuccours, and him for their leader. the thebans willingly grantedtheir desire； and now when all things were prepared, and the generalbeginning to march, the sun was eclipsed, and darkness spread overthe city at noonday. now when pelopidas saw them startled at the prodigy,he did not think it fit to force on men who were afraid and out ofheart, nor to hazard seven thousand of his citizens； and thereforewith only three hundred horse volunteers, set forward himself to thessaly,much against the will of the augurs and his fellow-citizens in general,who all imagined this marked portent to have reference to this greatman. but he was heated against alexander for the injuries he had received,and hoped likewise, from the discourse which formerly he had withthebe, that his family by this time was divided and in disorder. butthe glory of the expedition chiefly excited him； for he was extremelydesirous at this time, when the lacedaemonians were sending out militaryofficers to assist dionysius the sicilian tyrant, and the athenianstook alexander's pay, and honoured him with a brazen statue as a benefactor,that the thebans should be seen, alone, of all the greeks, undertakingthe cause of those who were oppressed by tyrants, and destroying theviolent and illegal forms of government in greece.
when pelopidas was come to pharsalus, he formed an army, and presentlymarched against alexander； and alexander understanding that pelopidashad few thebans with him, and that his own infantry was double thenumber of the thessalians, faced him at thetidium. some one told pelopidas,"the tyrant meets us with a great army；" "so much the better," hereplied, "for then we shall overcome the more." between the two armieslay some steep high hills about cynoscephalae, which both partiesendeavoured to take by their foot. pelopidas commanded his horse,which were good and many, to charge that of the enemies； they routedand pursued them through the plain. but alexander meantime took thehills, and charging the thessalian foot that came up later, and stroveto climb the steep and craggy ascent, killed the foremost, and theothers, much distressed, could do the enemies no harm. pelopidas,observing this, sounded a retreat to his horse, and gave orders thatthey should charge the enemies that kept their ground； and he himself,taking his shield, quickly joined those that fought about the hills,and advancing to the front, filled his men with such courage and alacrity,that the enemies imagined they came with other spirits and other bodiesto the onset. they stood two or three charges, but finding these comeon stoutly, and the horse, also, returning from the pursuit, gaveground, and retreated in order. pelopidas now perceiving, from therising ground, that the enemy's army was, though not yet routed, fullof disorder and confusion, stood and looked about for alexander； andwhen he saw him in the right wing, encouraging and ordering his mercenaries,he could not moderate his anger, but inflamed at the sight, and blindlyfollowing his passion, regardless alike of his own life and his command,advanced far before his soldiers, crying out and challenging the tyrantwho did not dare to receive him, but retreating, hid himself amongsthis guard. the foremost of the mercenaries that came hand to handwere driven back by pelopidas, and some killed； but many at a distanceshot through his armour and wounded him, till the thessalians, inanxiety for the result, ran down the hill to his relief, but foundhim already slain. the horse came up also, and routed the phalanx,and following the pursuit a great way filled the whole country withthe slain, which were above three thousand.
no one can wonder that the thebans then present should show greatgrief at the death of pelopidas, calling him their father, deliverer,and instructor in all that was good and commendable. but the thessaliansand the allies, outdoing in their public edicts all the just honoursthat could be paid to human courage, gave, in their display of feeling,yet stronger demonstrations of the kindness they had for him. it isstated that none of the soldiers, when they heard of his death, wouldput off their armour, unbridle their horses, or dress their wounds,but still hot and with their arms on, ran to the corpse, and, as ifhe had been yet alive and could see what they did, heaped up spoilsabout his body. they cut off their horses' manes and their own hair,many kindled no fire in their tents, took no supper, and silence andsadness was spread over all the army； as if they had not gained thegreatest and most glorious victory, but were overcome by the tyrantand enslaved. as soon as it was known in the cities, the magistrates,youths, children, and priests came out to meet the body, and broughttrophies, crowns, and suits of golden armour； and, when he was tobe interred, the elders of the thessalians came and begged the thebansthat they might give the funeral； and one of them said, "friends,we ask a favour of you, that will prove both an honour and comfortto us in this our great misfortune. the thessalians shall never againwait on the living pelopidas, shall never give honours of which hecan be sensible, but if we may have his body, adorn his funeral, andinter him, we shall hope to show that we esteem his death a greaterloss to the thessalians than to the thebans. you have lost only agood general, we both a general and our liberty. for how shall wedare to desire from you another captain, since we cannot restore pelopidas？"
the thebans granted their request, and there was never a more splendidfuneral in the opinion of those who do not think the glory of suchsolemnities consists only in gold, ivory, and purple； as philistusdid, who extravagantly celebrates the funeral of dionysius, in whichhis tyranny concluded like the pompous exit of some great tragedy.alexander the great, at the death of hephaestion, not only cut offthe manes of his horses and his mules, but took down the battlementsfrom the city walls, that even the towns might seem mourners, andinstead of their former beauteous appearance, look bald at his funeral.but such honours, being commanded and forced from the mourners, attendedwith feelings of jealousy towards those who received them, and ofhatred towards those who exacted them, were no testimonies of loveand respect, but of the barbaric pride, luxury, and insolence of thosewho lavished their wealth in these vain and undesirable displays.but that a man of common rank, dying in a strange country, neitherhis wife, children, nor kinsmen present, none either asking or compellingit, should be attended, buried, and crowned by so many cities thatstrove to exceed one another in the demonstrations of their love,seems to be the sum and completion of happy fortune. for the deathof happy men is not, as aesop observes, most grievous, but most blessed,since it secures their felicity, and puts it out of fortune's power.and that spartan advised well, who, embracing diagoras, that had himselfbeen crowned in the olympic games, and saw his sons and grandchildrenvictors, said, "die, diagoras, for thou canst not be a god." and yetwho would compare all the victories in the pythian and olympian gamesput together with one of those enterprises of pelopidas, of whichhe successfully performed so many？ having spent his life in braveand glorious actions, he died at last in the chief command, for thethirteenth time, of the boeotians, fighting bravely and in the actof slaying a tyrant, in defence of the liberty of the thessalians.
his death, as it brought grief, so likewise it produced advantageto the allies； for the thebans, as soon as they heard of his fall,delayed not their revenge, but presently sent seven thousand footand seven hundred horse, under the command of malcitas and diogiton.and they, finding alexander weak and without forces, compelled himto restore the cities he had taken, to withdraw his garrisons fromthe magnesians and achaeans of phthiotis, and swear to assist thethebans against whatsoever enemies they should require. this contentedthe thebans, but punishment overtook the tyrant for his wickedness,and the death of pelopidas was revenged by heaven in the followingmanner. pelopidas, as i have already mentioned, had taught his wifethebe not to fear the outward splendour and show of the tyrant's defences,since she was admitted within them. she, of herself, too, dreadedhis inconstancy, and hated his cruelty； and therefore, conspiringwith her three brothers, tisiphonus, pytholaus, and lycophron, madethe following attempt upon him. all other apartments were full ofthe tyrant's night guards, but their bed-chamber was an upper room,and before the door lay a chained dog to guard it, which would flyat all but the tyrant and his wife and one servant that fed him. whenthebe, therefore, designed to kill her husband, she hid her brothersall day in a room hard by, and she, going in alone, according to herusual custom, to alexander, who was asleep already, in a little timecame out again, and commanded the servant to lead away the dog, foralexander wished to rest quietly. she covered the stairs with wool,that the young men might make no noise as they came up； and then,bringing up her brothers with their weapons, and leaving them at thechamber door, she went in, and brought away the tyrant's sword thathung over his head, and showed it them for confirmation that he wasfast asleep. the young men appearing fearful, and unwilling to dothe murder, she chid them, and angrily vowed she would wake alexanderand discover the conspiracy； and so, with a lamp in her hand, sheconducted them in, they being both ashamed and afraid, and broughtthem to the bed； when one of them caught him by the feet, the otherpulled him backwards by the hair, and the third ran him through. thedeath was more speedy, perhaps, than was fit； but, in that he wasthe first tyrant that was killed by the contrivance of his wife, andas his corpse was abused, thrown out, and trodden under foot by thepheraeans, he seems to have suffered what his villainies deserved.
the end