the
allies on either side, and, though it was indecisive, the valour of
Aristomenes struck fear into the hearts of the Spartans. To frighten
the enemy still more, the hero crossed the frontier, entered Sparta by
night, and affixed a shield to the temple of Athena (Minerva), with the
inscription, "Dedicated by Aristomenes to the goddess from the Spartan
spoils." The Spartans in alarm sent to Delphi for advice. The god
bade them apply to Athens for a leader. Fearing to disobey the oracle,
but with the view of rendering no real assistance, the Athenians sent
Tyrtaeus, a lame man and a schoolmaster. The Spartans received their
new leader with due honour; and he was not long in justifying the
credit of the oracle. His martial songs roused their fainting courage;
and so efficacious were his poems that to them is mainly ascribed the
final success of the Spartan arms.

Encouraged by the strains of Tyrtaeus, the Spartans again marched
against the Messenians. But they were not at first successful. A great
battle was fought at the Boar's Grave in the plain of Stenyclerus, in
which they were defeated with great loss. In the third year of the war
another great battle was fought, in which the Messenians suffered a
signal defeat. So greet was their loss, that Aristomenes no longer
ventured to meet the Spartans in the open field. Following the example
of the Messenian leaders in the former war, he retired to the mountain
fortress of Ira. The Spartans encamped at the foot of the mountain; but
Aristomenes frequently sallied from the fortress, and ravaged the lands
of Laconia with fire and sword. It is unnecessary to relate all the
wonderful exploits of this hero in his various incursions. Thrice was
he taken prisoner; on two occasions he burst his bonds, but on the
third he was carried to Sparta, and thrown with his fifty companions
into a deep pit, called Ceadas. His comrades were all killed by the
fall; but Aristomenes reached the bottom unhurt. He saw, however, no
means of escape, and had resigned himself to death; but on the third
day perceiving a fox creeping among the bodies, he grasped its tail,
and, following the animal as it struggled to escape, discovered an
opening in the rock, and on the next day was at Ira to the surprise
alike of friends and foes. But his single prowess was not sufficient
to avert the ruin of his country. One night the Spartans surprised
Ira, while Aristomenes was disabled by a wound; but he c