bscure position.

The new Boeotarchs were unfortunately very poor generals. They met the
Thessalian army, but were defeated and driven back. Indeed, the Thebans
were soon in such danger, that the soldiers revolted against their
generals, and begged Epaminondas again to take the lead.

As they were in great distress, Epaminondas could not refuse to help
them: so he assumed the command, and beat such a skillful retreat that
he brought them out of the country in safety.

The following year, when again chosen Boeotarch, Epaminondas made
plans for a second campaign, and marched into Thessaly to deliver his
friend, who was still a prisoner.

When Alexander the tyrant heard that Epaminondas was at the head of the
army, he was frightened, and tried to disarm the wrath of the Thebans by
setting Pelopidas free, and sending him to meet the advancing army.

Of course, Epaminondas was very glad to see his friend; but when he
heard how cruelly Alexander treated all his subjects, he nevertheless
continued his march northward, hoping to rid the country of such a bad
ruler.

Just then the Spartans, in spite of their solemn promise, suddenly rose
up in arms against the Thebans; and Epaminondas, leaving part of the
army in Thessaly with Pelopidas, hurried southward with the rest to put
down the revolt.

Pelopidas marched boldly northward, met the Thessalians, and fought a
fierce battle. When it was over, the Thebans, although victorious, were
very sad; for their leader, Pelopidas, had been slain in the midst of
the fray.

Still, undaunted by his death, the army pursued the Thessalians, and
killed Alexander. Then, to show their scorn for such a vile wretch, they
dragged his body through the mud, and finally flung it out of a palace
window into the courtyard, where it was torn to pieces by his own
bloodhounds.

LXXX. THE BATTLE OF MANTINEA.

When Epaminondas heard that his friend Pelopidas was dead, he grieved
sorely; but nevertheless, knowing that his country had need of him, he
vigorously continued his preparations to meet and conquer the Spartan
army.

The battle promised to be hard fought; for while Epaminondas, the victor
of Leuctra, led the Thebans, Agesilaus, the hero of countless battles,
was again at the head of the Spartan army. The Thebans pressed forward
so eagerly, however, that the two armies met at Man-ti-ne'a, in the
central part of the Peloponnesus.

In spite of Agesilaus' courage and experience, and