ave the city; many were found at their
posts before him. Presently, however, he put himself at the head of his
troops, and the men followed cheerily, in firm persuasion that he was
about to lead them to some noble exploit. On arrival at Corinth
he frittered away some days, and there was a momentary outburst of
discontent at so much waste of precious time; but as soon as he led the
troops out of Corinth there was an obvious rebound. The men responded to
all orders with enthusiasm, heartily following their general's lead, and
attacking whatever fortified place he might confront them with.

(47) As to the anti-Laconian or Boeotian party at Athens, see Curtius,
"H. G." vol. v. ch. ii. (Eng. tr.)

(48) See Baedeker, "Greece," p. 103.

And now reverting to the hostile forces on Laconian territory, we find
that the Arcadians, Argives, and Eleians had retired in large numbers.
They had every inducement so to do since their homes bordered on
Laconia; and off they went, driving or carrying whatever they had
looted. The Thebans and the rest were no less anxious to get out of the
country, though for other reasons, partly because the army was melting
away under their eyes day by day, partly because the necessities of life
were growing daily scantier, so much had been either fairly eaten up
and pillaged or else recklessly squandered and reduced to ashes. Besides
this, it was winter; so that on every ground there was a general desire
by this time to get away home.

As son as the enemy began his retreat from Laconian soil, Iphicrates
imitated his movement, and began leading back his troops out of Arcadia
into Corinthia. Iphicrates exhibited much good generalship, no doubt,
with which I have no sort of fault to find. But it is not so with that
final feature of the campaign to which we are now come. Here I find his
strategy either meaningless in intent or inadequate in execution.
He made an attempt to keep guard at Oneion, in order to prevent the
Boeotians making their way out homewards; but left meanwhile far the
best passage through Cenchreae unguarded. Again, when he wished to
discover whether or not the Thebans had passed Oneion, he sent out on
a reconnaissance the whole of the Athenian and Corinthian cavalry;
whereas, for the object in view, the eyes of a small detachment would
have been as useful as a whole regiment; (49) and when it came to
falling back, clearly the smaller number had a better chance of hitting
on a trav