cedaemonians in alliance with you: it is plain they
will send you admirals and captains, and possibly marines, of Laconian
breed; but who will the sailors be? Helots obviously, or mercenaries
of some sort. These are the folk over whom you will exercise your
leadership. Reverse the case. The Lacedaemonians have issued a general
order summoning you to join them in the field; it is plain again, you
will be sending your heavy infantry and your cavalry. You see what
follows. You have invented a pretty machine, by which they become leaders
of your very selves, and you become the leaders either of their slaves
or of the dregs of their state. I should like to put a question to the
Lacedaemonian Timocrates seated yonder. Did you not say just now, Sir,
that you came to make an alliance on terms of absolute equality, 'share
and share alike'? Answer me." "I did say so." "Well, then, here is a
plan by which you get the perfection of equality. I cannot conceive of
anything more fair and impartial than that 'turn and turn about' each
of us should command the navy, each the army; whereby whatever advantage
there may be in maritime or military command we may each of us share."

(9) See above, "Hell." VI. iii. 2; Hicks, 87.

These arguments were successful. The Athenians were converted, and
passed a decree vesting the command in either state (10) for periods of
five days alternately.

(10) See "Revenues," v. 7.

B.C. 369. (11) The campaign was commenced by both Athenians and
Lacedaemonians with their allies, marching upon Corinth, where it was
resolved to keep watch and ward over Oneion jointly. On the advance of
the Thebans and their allies the troops were drawn out to defend the
pass. They were posted in detachments at different points, the most
assailable of which was assigned to the Lacedaemonians and the men of
Pellene. (12)

(11) See Grote, "H. G." x. 349 foll.; al. B.C. 368.

(12) "During the wars of Epameinondas Pellene adhered firmly to her
Spartan policy, at a time when other cities were, to say the
least, less strenuous in the Spartan cause."--Freeman, "Hist. Fed.
Gov." p. 241. Afterwards Pellene is found temporarily on the
Theban side ("Hell." VII. ii. 11).

The Thebans and their allies, finding themselves within three or four
miles (13) of the troops guarding the pass, encamped in the flat ground
below; but presently, after a careful calculation of the time it would
take to start and reach the goa