Eutaea. But as none of the Arcadians
appeared, he marched with all speed and reached Eutaea itself, although
very late, that day; being anxious to lead off his troops without
catching a glimpse of the enemy's watch-fires, so as to silence the
tongues of any one pretending that he withdrew in flight. His main
object was in fact achieved. To some extent he had recovered the state
from its late despondency, since he had invaded Arcadia and ravaged the
country without any one caring to offer him battle. But, once arrived
on Laconian soil, he dismissed the Spartan troops to their homes and
disbanded the provincials (21) to their several cities.

(19) See "Anab." IV. iii. 29; "Pol. Lac." xi. 10.

(20) 2,437 pounds: 10 shillings. See Busult, op. cit. p. 199.

(21) Lit. "perioeci"; and below, SS. 25, 32.

B.C. 370-369. The Arcadians, now that Agesilaus had retired, realising
that he had disbanded his troops, while they themselves were fully
mustered, marched upon Heraea, the citizens of which town had not only
refused to join the Arcadian league, but had joined the Lacedaemonians
in their invasion of Arcadia. For this reason they entered the country,
burning the homesteads and cutting down the fruit-trees.

Meanwhile news came of the arrival of the Theban reinforcements at
Mantinea, on the strength of which they left Heraea and hastened to
fraternise (22) with their Theban friends. When they were met together,
the Thebans, on their side, were well content with the posture of
affairs: they had duly brought their succour, and no enemy was any
longer to be discovered in the country; so they made preparations to
return home. But the Arcadians, Argives and Eleians were eager in
urging them to lead the united forces forthwith into Laconia: they dwelt
proudly on their own numbers, extolling above measure the armament of
Thebes. And, indeed, the Boeotians one and all were resolute in their
military manouvres and devotion to arms, (23) exulting in the victory of
Leuctra. In the wake of Thebes followed the Phocians, who were now their
subjects, Euboeans from all the townships of the island, both sections
of the Locrians, the Acarnanians, (24) and the men of Heraclea and of
Melis; while their force was further swelled by Thessalian cavalry and
light infantry. With the full consciousness of facts like these, and
further justifying their appeal by dwelling on the desolate condition of
Lacedaemon, deserted by her troops, they entreat