241: "We read of local
oligarchies (in the several cities of Achaia) which Epameinondas
found and left in possession, but which the home government of
Thebes thought good to expel, and to substitute democracies under
the protection of Theban harmosts. This policy did not answer, as
the large bodies of exiles thus formed contrived to recover the
cities, and to bring them to a far more decided Spartan
partisanship than before."

So he departed home. The Arcadians, however, and the partisans of the
opposite faction in Thebes were ready with an indictment against him:
"Epaminondas," they said, "had merely swept and garnished Achaea for the
Lacedaemonians, and then gone off." The Thebans accordingly resolved
to send governors (45) into the states of Achaea; and those officers on
arrival joined with the commonalty and drove out the better folk,
and set up democracies throughout Achaea. On their side, these exiles
coalesced, and, marching upon each separate state in turn, for they
were pretty numerous, speedily won their restoration and dominated the
states. As the party thus reinstated no longer steered a middle course,
but went heart and soul into an alliance with Lacedaemon, the Arcadians
found themselves between the upper and the nether millstone--that is to
say, the Lacedaemonians and the Achaeans.

(45) Lit. "harmosts."

At Sicyon, hitherto, (46) the constitution was based on the ancient
laws; but at this date Euphron (who during the Lacedaemonian days had
been the greatest man in Sicyon, and whose ambition it was to hold
a like pre-eminence under their opponents) addressed himself to the
Argives and Arcadians as follows: "If the wealthiest classes should ever
come into power in Sicyon, without a doubt the city would take the first
opportunity of readopting a Laconian policy; whereas, if a democracy be
set up," he added, "you may rest assured Sicyon will hold fast by you.
All I ask you is to stand by me; I will do the rest. It is I who will
call a meeting of the people; and by that selfsame act I shall give
you a pledge of my good faith and present you with a state firm in
its alliance. All this, be assured," he added, "I do because, like
yourselves, I have long ill brooked the pride of Lacedaemon, and shall
be glad to escape the yoke of bondage."

(46) See Grote, "H. G." x. 379.

These proposals found favour with the Arcadians and the Argives,
who gladly gave the assistance demanded.