Euphron straightway, in
the market-place, in the presence of the two powers concerned,
(47) proceeded to convene the Demos, as if there were to be a new
constitution, based on the principle of equality. (48) When the
convention met, he bade them appoint generals: they might choose
whom they liked. Whereupon they elected Euphron himself, Hippodamus,
Cleander, Acrisius, and Lysander. When these matters were arranged he
appointed Adeas, his own son, over the foreign brigade, in place of the
former commander, Lysimenes, whom he removed. His next step was promptly
to secure the fidelity of the foreign mercenaries by various acts of
kindness, and to attach others; and he spared neither the public nor the
sacred moneys for this object. He had, to aid him, further, the property
of all the citizens whom he exiled on the ground of Laconism, and
of this without scruple he in every case availed himself. As for his
colleagues in office, some he treacherously put to death, others he
exiled, by which means he got everything under his own power, and was
now a tyrant without disguise. The method by which he got the allies to
connive at his doings was twofold. Partly he worked on them by pecuniary
aid, partly by the readiness with which he lent the support of his
foreign troops on any campaign to which they might invite him.

(47) Lit. "the Argives and the Arcadians."

(48) Lit. "on fair and equal terms." See Thuc. v. 79.

II

B.C. 366. Matters had so far progressed that the Argives had already
fortified the Trikaranon above the Heraion as an outpost to threaten
Phlius, while the Sicyonians were engaged in fortifying Thyamia (1)
on their frontier; and between the two the Phliasians were severely
pinched. They began to suffer from dearth of necessaries; but, in
spite of all, remained unshaken in their alliance. It is the habit of
historians, I know, to record with admiration each noble achievement of
the larger powers, but to me it seems a still more worthy task to bring
to light the great exploits of even a little state found faithful in the
performance of fair deeds.

(1) "Thyamia is placed by Ross on the lofty hill of Spiria, the
northern prolongation of Tricaranum, between the villages Stimanga
and Skrapani."--"Dict. Anct. Geog." "Phlius."

B.C. 370-369. Now these Phliasians were friends of Lacedaemon while at
the zenith of her power. After her disaster on the field of Leuctra,
when many of the Perioeci, and the