jectures that this fortress
was in the maritime plain.

Up to this time the Thebans and all the states which had revolted from
Lacedaemon had acted together in perfect harmony, and were content to
campaign under the leadership of Thebes; but now a certain Lycomedes,
(20) a Mantinean, broke the spell. Inferior in birth and position
to none, while in wealth superior, he was for the rest a man of high
ambition. This man was able to inspire the Arcadians with high thoughts
by reminding them that to Arcadians alone the Peloponnese was in
a literal sense a fatherland; since they and they alone were the
indigenous inhabitants of its sacred soil, and the Arcadian stock
the largest among the Hellenic tribes--a good stock, moreover, and of
incomparable physique. And then he set himself to panegyrise them as the
bravest of the brave, adducing as evidence, if evidence were needed,
the patent fact, that every one in need of help invariably turned to
the Arcadians. (21) Never in old days had the Lacedaemonians yet invaded
Athens without the Arcadians. "If then," he added, "you are wise, you
will be somewhat chary of following at the beck and call of anybody,
or it will be the old story again. As when you marched in the train
of Sparta you only enhanced her power, so to-day, if you follow Theban
guidance without thought or purpose instead of claiming a division of
the headship, you will speedily find, perhaps, in her only a second
edition of Lacedaemon." (22)

(20) For the plan of an Arcadian Federation and the part played by
Lycomedes, its true author, "who certainly merits thereby a high
place among the statesmen of Greece," see Freeman, "Hist. Fed.
Gov." ch. iv. p. 199 foll.

(21) For this claim on the part of the Arcadians, see "Anab." VI. ii.
10 foll.

(22) Or, "Lacedaemonians under another name."

These words uttered in the ears of the Arcadians were sufficient to puff
them up with pride. They were lavish in their love of Lycomedes, and
thought there was no one his equal. He became their hero; he had only
to give his orders, and they appointed their magistrates (23) at his
bidding. But, indeed, a series of brilliant exploits entitled the
Arcadians to magnify themselves. The first of these arose out of an
invasion of Epidaurus by the Argives, which seemed likely to end in
their finding their escape barred by Chabrias and his foreign brigade
with the Athenians and Corinthians. Only, at the critical mom