cted by Kraugis, the
father of Philopoemen, a man eminent in every respect, and an especial
private friend of Kleander. While Kraugis lived, Kleander wanted for
nothing, and after his death endeavoured to repay the debt which he
owed him by devoting himself to the education of his orphan son, just
as Homer tells us that Achilles was nurtured by the exile Phoenix. The
child, who always was of a noble and commanding spirit, grew under his
care into a youth of great promise. As he came near to manhood Ekdemus
and Megalophanes, two citizens of Megalopolis, took charge of his
education. These men had studied in the Academy with Arkesilaus, and
more than any others brought the lessons of philosophy to bear upon
politics and the daily affairs of life. They freed their own country
of the despot Aristodemus by secretly contriving his assassination,
drove out the despot Nikokles from Sikyon, with the help of Aratus,
and, at the request of the people of Kyrene, whose state was a prey to
revolution, they went to that country and restored order and respect
for the laws. They themselves, however, reckoned their most important
work to have been the education of Philopoemen, because by bringing him
up in the precepts of true philosophy they made him a benefactor to
all Greece. And truly Greece loved him exceedingly, as the last great
man born of her old age, after so many great and famous men of former
times. A Roman speaking in his praise called him the last of the
Greeks, as though he thought that Greece had never after him produced
any son worthy of herself.

II. His appearance was not repulsive, as some think; for we can see
the statue of him which exists at Delphi at this day. The mistake of
his Megarian hostess seems to have arisen from his good-nature and
simplicity. She, when she heard that the commander-in-chief of the
Achaeans was coming to her house, was in a great state of excitement
about the preparation of dinner, her husband happening to be away.
Meanwhile, Philopoemen entered, dressed in a coarse cloak, and she,
supposing him to be a servant sent on in advance, ordered him to help
her to get things ready. He at once threw off his cloak and began to
split up firewood. While he was thus engaged his friend the master of
the house came in, and seeing him, said, "What is this that you are
doing, Philopoemen?" "Why," answered he in the Doric dialect, "I am
suffering for my ugly face." Titus, also, when jesting upon his bodily