to Athens
wearing a chaplet. Whilst insisting on the magnitude of the victory they
at the same time called upon the Athenians to send them aid, for now the
opportunity had come to wreak vengeance on the Lacedaemonians for all
the evil they had done to Athens. As it chanced, the senate of the
Athenians was holding a session on the Acropolis. As soon as the
news was reported, the annoyance caused by its announcement was
unmistakeable. They neither invited the herald to accept of hospitality
nor sent back one word in reply to the request for assistance. And so
the herald turned his back on Athens and departed.

But there was Jason still to look to, and he was their ally. To him then
the Thebans sent, and earnestly besought his aid, their thoughts running
on the possible turn which events might take. Jason on his side at
once proceeded to man a fleet, with the apparent intention of sending
assistance by sea, besides which he got together his foreign brigade
and his own cavalry; and although the Phocians and he were implacable
enemies, (20) he marched through their territory to Boeotia. Appearing
like a vision to many of the states before his approach was even
announced--at any rate before levies could be mustered from a dozen
different points--he had stolen a march upon them and was a long way
ahead, giving proof that expedition is sometimes a better tool to work
with than sheer force.

(20) Or, "though the Phocians maintained a war 'a outrance' with him."

When he arrived in Boeotia the Thebans urged upon him that now was the
right moment to attack the Lacedaemonians: he with his foreign brigade
from the upper ground, they face to face in front; but Jason dissuaded
them from their intention. He reminded them that after a noble
achievement won it was not worth their while to play for so high a
stake, involving a still greater achievement or else the loss of victory
already gained. "Do you not see," he urged, "that your success followed
close on the heels of necessity? You ought then to reflect that the
Lacedaemonians in their distress, with a choice between life and death,
will fight it out with reckless desperation. Providence, as it seems,
ofttimes delights to make the little ones great and the great ones
small." (21)

(21) Cf. "Anab." III. ii. 10.

By such arguments he diverted the Thebans from the desperate adventure.
But for the Lacedaemonians also he had words of advice, insisting on the
difference between an