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Pelopidas
By Plutarch

(legendary, died 364 B.C.E.)


Translated by John Dryden

CATO major, hearing some commend one that was rash, and inconsiderately
daring in a battle, said, "There is a difference between a man's prizing
valour at a great rate, and valuing life at little; a very just remark.
Antigonus, we know, at least, had a soldier, a venturous fellow, but
of wretched health and constitution; the reason of whose ill-look
he took the trouble to inquire into; and, on understanding from him
that it was a disease, commanded his physicians to employ their utmost
skill, and if possible recover him; which brave hero, when once cured,
never afterwards sought danger or showed himself venturous in battle;
and, when Antigonus wondered and upbraided him with his change, made
no secret of the reason, and said, "Sir, you are the cause of my cowardice,
by freeing me from those miseries which made me care little for life."
With the same feeling, the Sybarite seems to have said of the Spartans,
that it was no commendable thing in them to be so ready to die in
the wars, since by that they were freed from such hard labour and
miserable living. In truth, the Sybarites, a soft and dissolute people,
might well imagine they hated life, because in their eager pursuit
of virtue and glory they were not afraid to die; but, in fact, the
Lacedaemonians found their virtue secured them happiness alike in
living or in dying; as we see in the epitaph that says- 

"They died, but not as lavish of their blood, 
Or thinking death itself was simply good; 
Their wishes neither were to live nor die, 
But to do both alike commendably." 

An endeavour to avoid death is not blamable, if we do not basely desire
to live; nor a willingness to die good and virtuous, if it proceeds
from a contempt of life. And therefore Homer always takes care to
bring his bravest and most daring heroes well armed into battle; and
the Greek law-givers punished those that threw away their shields,
but not him that lost his sword or spear; intimating that self-defence
is more a man's business than offence. This is especially true of
a governor of a city, or a general; for it, as Iphicrates divides
it out, the light-armed are the hands; the horse the feet; the infantry
the breast; and the general the head; and, when he puts himself upon
danger, not only ventures his own person, but all those whose safety
depends on his; and so on the contrary. Callicratidas, therefore,
though otherwise a great man, was wrong in his answer to the augur
who advised him, the sacrifice being unlucky, to be careful of his
life; "Sparta," said he, "will not miss one man." It is true, Callicratidas,
when simply serving in any engagement either at sea or land, was but
a single person, but as a general, he united in his life the lives
of all, and could hardly be called one when his death involved the
ruin of so many. The saying of old Antigonus was better, who, when
he was to fight at Andros, and one told him, "The enemy's ships are
more than ours;" replied, "For how many then wilt thou reckon me?"
intimating that a brave and experienced commander is to be highly
valued, one of the first duties of whose office indeed it is to save
him on whose safety depends that of others. And therefore I applaud
Timotheus, who, when Chares showed the wounds he had received, and
his shield pierced by a dart, told him, "Yet how ashamed I was, at
the siege of Samos, when a dart fell near me, for exposing myself,
more like a boy than like a general in command of a large army." Indeed,
where the general's hazarding himself will go far to decide the result,
there he must fight and venture his person, and not mind their maxims,
who would have a general die, if not of, at least in old age; but
when the advantage will be but small if he gets the better, and the
loss considerable if he falls, who then would desire, at the risk
of the commander's life, a piece of success which a common soldier
might obtain? This I thought fit to premise before the lives of Pelopidas
and Marcellus, who were both great men, but who both fell by their
own rashness. For, being gallant men, and having gained their respective
countries great glory and reputation by their conduct in war against
terrible enemies, the one, as history relates, overthrowing Hannibal,
who was till then invincible; the other, in a set battle beating the
Lacedaemonians, then supreme both at sea and land; they ventured at
last too far, and were heedlessly prodigal of their lives, when there
was the greatest need of men and commanders such as they. And this
agreement in their characters and their deaths is the reason why I
compare their lives. 

Pelopidas, the son of Hippoclus, was descended, as likewise Epaminondas
was, from an honourable family in Thebes; and, being brought up to
opulence, and having a fair estate left him whilst he was young, he
made it his business to relieve the good and deserving amongst the
poor, that he might show himself lord and not slave of his estate.
For amongst men, as Aristotle observes, some are too narrow-minded
to use their wealth, and some are loose and abuse it; and these live
perpetual slaves to their pleasures, as the others to their gain.
Others permitted themselves to be obliged by Pelopidas, and thankfully
made use of his liberality and kindness; but amongst all his friends
he could never persuade Epaminondas to be a sharer in his wealth.
He, however, stepped down into his poverty, and took pleasure in the
same poor attire, spare diet, unwearied endurance of hardships, and
unshrinking boldness in war; like Capaneus in Euripides, who had-

"Abundant wealth and in that wealth no pride," he was ashamed any
one should think that he spent more upon his person than the meanest
Theban. Epaminondas made his familiar and hereditary poverty more
light and easy by his philosophy and single life; but Pelopidas married
a woman of good family, and had children; yet still thinking little
of his private interests, and devoting all his time to the public,
he ruined his estate: and, when his friends admonished and told him
how necessary that money which he neglected was: "Yes," he replied,
"necessary to Nicodemus," pointing to a blind cripple. 

Both seemed equally fitted by nature for all sorts of excellence;
but bodily exercises chiefly delighted Pelopidas, learning Epaminondas;
and the one spent his spare hours in hunting and the Palaestra, the
other in hearing lectures or philosophizing. And, amongst a thousand
points for praise in both, the judicious esteem nothing equal to that
constant benevolence and friendship, which they inviolably preserved
in all their expeditions, public actions, and administration of the
commonwealth. For if any one looks on the administrations of Aristides
and Themistocles, of Cimon and Pericles, of Nicias and Alcibiades,
what confusion, what envy, what mutual jealousy appears? And if he
then casts his eye on the kindness and reverence that Pelopidas showed
Epaminondas, he must needs confess that these are more truly and more
justly styled colleagues in government and command than the others,
who strove rather to overcome one another than their enemies. The
true cause of this was their virtue; whence it came that they did
not make their actions aim at wealth and glory, an endeavour sure
to lead to bitter and contentious jealousy; but both from the beginning
being inflamed with a divine desire of seeing their country glorious
by their exertions, they used to that end one another's excellences
as their own. Many, indeed, think this strict and entire affection
is to be dated from the battle at Mantinea, where they both fought,
being part of the succours that were sent from Thebes to the Lacedaemonians,
their then friends and allies. For, being placed together amongst
the infantry, and engaging the Arcadians, when the Lacedaemonian wing,
in which they fought, gave ground, and many fled, they closed their
shields together and resisted the assailants. Pelopidas, having received
seven wounds in the forepart of his body, fell upon an heap of slain
friends and enemies; but Epaminondas, though he thought him past recovery,
advanced to defend his arms and body, and singly fought a multitude,
resolving rather to die than forsake his helpless Pelopidas. And now,
he being much distressed, being wounded in the breast by a spear,
and in the arm by a sword, Agesipolis, the King of the Spartans, came
to his succour from the other wing, and beyond hope delivered both.

After this the Lacedaemonians pretended to be friends to Thebes, but
in truth looked with jealous suspicions on the designs and power of
the city, and chiefly hated the party of Ismenias and Androclides,
in which Pelopidas also was an associate, as tending to liberty and
the advancement of the commonalty. Therefore Archias, Leontidas, and
Philip, all rich men, and of oligarchical principles, and immoderately
ambitious, urged Phoebidas the Spartan, as he was on his way past
the city with a considerable force, to surprise the Cadmea, and, banishing
the contrary faction, to establish an oligarchy, and by that means
subject the city to the supremacy of the Spartans. He, accepting the
proposal, at the festival of Ceres unexpectedly fell on the Thebans,
and made himself master of the citadel. Ismenias was taken, carried
to Sparta, and in a short time murdered; but Pelopidas, Pherenicus,
Androclides, and many more that fled were publicly proclaimed outlaws.
Epaminondas stayed at home, being not much looked after, as one whom
philosophy had made inactive and poverty incapable. 

The Lacedaemonians cashiered Phoebidas, and fined him one hundred
thousand drachmas, yet still kept a garrison in the Cadmea; which
made all Greece wonder at their inconsistency, since they punished
the doer, but approved the deed. And though the Thebans, having lost
their polity, and being enslaved by Archias and Leontidas, had no
hopes to get free from this tyranny, which they saw guarded by the
whole military power of the Spartans, and had no means to break the
yoke, unless these could be deposed from their command of sea and
land; yet Leontidas and his associates, understanding the exiles lived
at Athens in favour with the people, and with honour from all the
good and virtuous, formed secret designs against their lives, and,
suborning some unknown fellows, despatched Androclides, but were not
successful on the rest. Letters, besides, were sent from Sparta to
the Athenians, warning them neither to receive nor countenance the
exiles, but expel them as declared common enemies of the confederacy.
But the Athenians, from their natural hereditary inclination to be
kind, and also to make a grateful return to the Thebans, who had very
much assisted them in restoring their democracy, and had publicly
enacted, that if any Athenian would march armed through Boeotia against
the tyrants, that no Boeotian should either see or hear it, did the
Thebans no harm. 

Pelopidas, though one of the youngest, was active in privately exciting
each single exile; and often told them at their meetings that it was
both dishonourable and impious to neglect their enslaved and engarrisoned
country, and, lazily contented with their own lives and safety, depend
on the decree of the Athenians, and through fear fawn on every smooth-tongued
orator that was able to work upon the people: no, they must venture
for this great prize, taking Thrasybulus's bold courage for example,
and as he advanced from Thebes and broke the power of the Athenian
tyrants, so they should march from Athens and free Thebes. When by
this method he had persuaded them, they privately despatched some
persons to those friends they had left at Thebes, and acquainted them
with their designs. Their plans being approved, Charon, a man of the
greatest distinction, offered his house for their reception; Phillidas
contrived to get himself made secretary to Archias and Philip, who
then held the office of polemarch or chief captain; and Epaminondas
had already inflamed the youth. For, in their exercises, he had encouraged
them to challenge and wrestle with the Spartans, and again, when he
saw them puffed up with victory and success, sharply told them, that
it was the greatest shame to be such cowards as to serve those whom
in strength they so much excelled. 

The day of action being fixed, it was agreed upon by the exiles that
Pherenicus with the rest should stay at the Thriasian plain, while
some few of the younger men tried the first danger, by endeavouring
to get into the city; and, if they were surprised by their enemies,
the others should take care to provide for their children and parents.
Pelopidas first offered to undertake the business; then Melon, Damoclides,
and Theopompus, men of noble families, who, in other things loving
and faithful to one another, were rivals constant only in glory and
courageous exploits. They were twelve in all, and having taken leave
of those that stayed behind sent a messenger to Charon, they went
forward, clad in short coats, and carrying hounds and hunting-poles
with them, that they might be taken for hunters beating over the fields,
and prevent all suspicion in those that met them on the way. When
the messenger came to Charon, and told him they were approaching,
he did not change his resolution at the sight of danger, but, being
a man of his word, offered them his house. But one Hipposthenidas,
a man of no ill principles, a lover of his country, and a friend to
the exiles, but not of as much resolution as the shortness of time
and the character of the action required, being as it were dizzied
at the greatness of the approaching enterprise; and beginning now
for the first time to comprehend that, relying on that weak assistance
which could be expected from the exiles, they were undertaking no
less a task than to shake the government, and overthrow the whole
power of Sparta; went privately to his house and sent a friend to
Melon and Pelopidas, desiring them to forbear for the present, to
return to Athens and expect a better opportunity. The messenger's
name was Chlidon, who, going home in haste and bringing out his horse,
asked for the bridle; but, his wife not knowing where it was, and,
when it could not be found, telling him she had lent it to a friend,
first they began to chide, then to curse one another, and his wife
wished the journey might prove ill to him and those that sent him;
insomuch that Chlidon's passion made him waste a great part of the
day in this quarrelling, and then, looking on this chance as an omen,
he laid aside all thoughts of his journey, and went away to some other
business. So nearly had these great and glorious designs, even in
their very birth, lost their opportunity. 

But Pelopidas and his companions, dressing themselves like countrymen,
divided, and, whilst it was yet day, entered at different quarters
of the city. It was, besides, a windy day, and now it just began to
snow, which contributed much to their concealment, because most people
were gone indoors to avoid the weather. Those, however, that were
concerned in the design received them as they came, and conducted
them to Charon's house, where the exiles and others made up forty-eight
in number. The tyrant's affairs stood thus: the secretary, Phillidas,
as I have already observed, was an accomplice in and privy to all
the contrivance of the exiles, and he a while before had invited Archias,
with others, to an entertainment on that day, to drink freely, and
meet some women of the town, on purpose that when they were drunk,
and given up to their pleasures, he might deliver them over to the
conspirators. But before Archias was thoroughly heated notice was
given him that the exiles were privately in the town; a true report
indeed, but obscure, and not well confirmed: nevertheless, though
Phillidas endeavoured to divert the discourse, Archias sent one of
his guards to Charon, and commanded him to attend immediately. It
was evening, and Pelopidas and his friends with him in the house were
putting themselves into a fit posture for action, having their breastplates
on already, and their swords girt: but at the sudden knocking at the
door, one stepping forth to inquire the matter, and learning from
the officer that Charon was sent for by the polemarch, returned in
great confusion and acquainted those within; and immediately conjectured
that the whole plot was discovered, and they should be cut in pieces,
before so much as achieving any action to do credit to their bravery:
yet all agreed that Charon should obey and attend the polemarch to
prevent suspicion. Charon was, indeed, a man of courage and resolution
in all dangers, yet in this case he was extremely concerned, lest
any should suspect that he was the traitor and the death of so many
brave citizens he laid on him. And, therefore, when he was ready to
depart, he brought his son out of the women's apartment, a little
boy as yet, but one of the best looking and strongest of all those
of his age, and delivered him to Pelopidas with these words: "If you
find me a traitor, treat the boy as an enemy without any mercy." The
concern which Charon showed drew tears from many; but all protested
vehemently against his supposing any one of them so mean-spirited
and base, at the appearance of approaching danger, as to suspect or
blame him; and therefore desired him not to involve his son, but to
set him out of harm's way: that so he, perhaps escaping the tyrant's
power, might live to revenge the city and his friends. Charon, however,
refused to remove him, and asked, "What life, what safety could be
more honourable, than to die bravely with his father and such generous
companions?" Thus, imploring the protection of the gods, and saluting
and encouraging them all, he departed, considering with himself, and
composing his voice and countenance, that he might look as little
like as possible to what in fact he really was. 

When he was come to the door, Archias with Phillidas came out to him,
and said, "I have heard, Charon, that there are some men just come,
and lurking in the town, and that some of the citizens are resorting
to them." Charon was at first disturbed, but asking, "Who are they?
and who conceals them?" and finding Archias did not thoroughly understand
the matter, he concluded that none of those privy to the design had
given this information, and replied, "Do not disturb yourselves for
an empty rumour: I will look into it, however, for no report in such
a case is to be neglected." Phillidas, who stood by, commended him,
and leading back Archias, got him deep in drink, still prolonging
the entertainment with the hopes of the women's company at last. But
when Charon returned, and found the men prepared, not as if they hoped
for safety and success, but to die bravely and with the slaughter
of their enemies, he told Pelopidas and his friends the truth, but
pretended to others in the house that Archias talked to him about
something else, inventing a story for the occasion. This storm was
just blowing over, when fortune brought another; for a messenger came
with a letter from one Archias, the Hierophant at Athens, to his namesake
Archias, who was his friend and guest. This did not merely contain
a vague conjectural suspicion, but, as it appeared afterwards, disclosed
every particular of the design. The messenger being brought in to
Archias, who was now pretty well drunk, and delivering the letter,
said to him, "The writer of this desired it might be read at once;
it is on urgent business." Archias, with a smile, replied, "Urgent
business tomorrow," and so receiving the letter, he put it under his
pillow, and returned to what he had been speaking of with Phillidas,
and these words of his are a proverb to this day amongst the Greeks.

Now when the opportunity seemed convenient for action, they set out
in two companies; Pelopidas and Damoclides with their party went against
Leontidas and Hypates, that lived near together; Charon and Melon
against Archias and Philip, having put on women's apparel over their
breastplates, and thick garlands of fir and pine to shade their faces;
and so, as soon as they came to the door, the guests clapped and gave
an huzza, supposing them to be the women they expected. But when the
conspirators had looked about the room, and carefully marked all that
were at the entertainment, they drew their swords, and making at Archias
and Philip amongst the tables, disclosed who they were. Phillidas
persuaded some few of his guests to sit still, and those that got
up and endeavoured to assist the polemarch, being drunk, were easily
despatched. But Pelopidas and his party met with a harder task; as
they attempted Leontidas, a sober and formidable man, and when they
came to his house found his door shut, he being already gone to bed.
They knocked a long time before any one would answer, but at last,
a servant that heard them, coming out and unbarring the door, as soon
as the gate gave way, they rushed in, and, overturning the man, made
all haste to Leontidas's chamber. But Leontidas, guessing at the matter
by the noise and running, leaped from his bed and drew his dagger,
but forgot to put out the lights, and by that means make them fall
foul of one another in the dark. As it was, being easily seen by reason
of the light, he received them at his chamber door and stabbed Cephisodorus,
the first man that entered: on his falling, the next that he engaged
was Pelopidas; and the passage being narrow and Cephisodorus's body
lying in the way, there was a fierce and dangerous conflict. At last
Pelopidas prevailed, and having killed Leontidas, he and his companions
went in pursuit of Hypates, and after the same manner broke into his
house. He perceived the design and fled to his neighbours; but they
closely followed, and caught and killed him. 

This done they joined Melon and sent to hasten the exiles they had
left in Attica: and called upon the citizens to maintain their liberty,
and taking down the spoils from the porches, and breaking open all
the armourers' shops that were near, equipped those that came to their
assistance. Epaminondas and Gorgidas came in already armed, with a
gallant train of young men and the best of the old. Now the city was
in a great excitement and confusion, a great noise and hurry, lights
set up in every house, men running here and there; however, the people
did not as yet gather into a body, but, amazed at the proceedings,
and not clearly understanding the matter, waited for the day. And,
therefore, the Spartan officers were thought to have been in fault
for not falling on at once, since their garrison consisted of about
fifteen hundred men, and many of the citizens ran to them; but, alarmed
with the noise, the fires, and the confused running of the people,
they kept quietly within the Cadmea. As soon as day appeared, the
exiles from Attica came in armed, and there was a general assembly
of the people. Epaminondas and Gorgidas brought forth Pelopidas and
his party, encompassed by the priests, who held out garlands, and
exhorted the people to fight for their country and their gods. The
assembly, at their appearance, rose up in a body and with shouts and
acclamations received the men as their deliverers and benefactors.

Then Pelopidas, being chosen chief captain of Boeotia, together with
Melon and Charon, proceeded at once to blockade the citadel and stormed
it on all sides, being extremely desirous to expel the Lacedaemonians,
and free the Cadmea, before an army could come from Sparta to their
relief. And he just so narrowly succeeded, that they, having surrendered
on terms and departed, on their way home met Cleombrotus at Megara
marching towards Thebes with a considerable force. The Spartans condemned
and executed Herippidas and Arcissus, two of their governors, at Thebes,
and Lysanoridas the third, being severely fined, fled to Peloponnesus.
This action so closely resembling that of Thrasybulus, in the courage
of the actors, the danger, the encounters, and equally crowned with
success, was called the sister of it by the Greeks. For we can scarcely
find any other examples where so small and weak a party of men by
bold courage overcame such numerous and powerful enemies, or brought
greater blessings to their country by so doing. But the subsequent
change of affairs made this action the more famous; for the war which
forever ruined the pretensions of Sparta to command, and put an end
to the supremacy she then exercised alike by sea and by land, proceeded
from that night, in which Pelopidas not surprising any fort, or castle,
or citadel, but coming, the twelfth man, to a private house, loosed
and broke, if we may speak truth in metaphor, the chains of the Spartan
sway, which before seemed of adamant and indissoluble. 

But now the Lacedaemonians invading Boeotia with a great army, the
Athenians, affrighted at the danger, declared themselves no allies
to Thebes, and prosecuting those that stood for the Boeotian interest,
executed some, and banished and fined others: and the cause of Thebes,
destitute of allies, seemed in a desperate condition. But Pelopidas
and Gorgidas, holding the office of captains of Boeotia, designing
to breed a quarrel between the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, made
this contrivance. One Sphodrias, a Spartan, a man famous indeed for
courage in battle, but of no sound judgment, full of ungrounded hopes
and foolish ambition, was left with an army at Thespiae, to receive
and succour the Theban renegades. To him Pelopidas and his colleagues
privately sent a merchant, one of their friends, with money, and,
what proved more efficient, advice- that it more became a man of his
worth to set upon some great enterprise, and that he should, making
a sudden incursion on the unprotected Athenians, surprise the Piraeus;
since nothing could be so grateful to Sparta as to take Athens; and
the Thebans, of course, would not stir to the assistance of men whom
they now hated and looked upon as traitors. Sphodrias, being at last
wrought upon, marched into Attica by night with his army, and advanced
as far as Eleusis; but there his soldiers' hearts failing, after exposing
his project and involving the Spartans in a dangerous war, he retreated
to Thespiae. After this the Athenians zealously sent supplies to Thebes,
and putting to sea, sailed to many places, and offered support and
protection to all those of the Greeks who were willing to revolt.

The Thebans, meantime, singly, having many skirmishes with the Spartans
in Boeotia, and fighting some battles, not great indeed, but important
as training and instructing them, thus had their minds raised, and
their bodies inured to labour, and gained both experience and courage
by these frequent encounters, insomuch that we have it related that
Antalcidas, the Spartan, said to Agesilaus, returning wounded from
Boeotia, "Indeed, the Thebans have paid you handsomely for instructing
them in the art of war, against their wills." In real truth, however,
Agesilaus was not their master in this, but those that prudently and
opportunely, as men do young dogs, set them on their enemies, and
brought them safely off after they had tasted the sweets of victory
and resolution. Of all those leaders, Pelopidas deserves the most
honour: as after they had once chosen him general, he was every year
in command as long as he lived; either captain of the sacred band,
or, what was most frequent, chief captain of Boeotia. About Plataea
and Thespiae the Spartans were routed and put to flight, and Phoebidas,
that surprised the Cadmea, slain; and at Tanagra a considerable force
was worsted, and the leader Panthoides killed. But these encounters,
though they raised the victors' spirits, did not thoroughly dishearten
the unsuccessful; for there was no set battle, or regular fighting,
but mere incursions on advantage, in which, according to occasion,
they charged, retired again, or pursued. But the battle at Tegyrae,
which seemed a prelude to Leuctra, won Pelopidas great reputation;
for none of the other commanders could claim any hand in the design,
nor the enemies any show of victory. The city of the Orchomenians
siding with the Spartans, and having received two companies for its
guard, he kept a constant eye upon it, and watched his opportunity.
Hearing that the garrison had moved into Locris, and hoping to find
Orchomenus defenceless, he marched with his sacred band and some few
horsemen. But when he approached the city, and found that a reinforcement
of the garrison was on its, march from Sparta, he made a circuit round
the foot of the mountains, and retreated with his little army through
Tegyrae, that being the only way he could pass. For the river Melas,
almost as soon as it rises, spreads itself into marshes and navigable
pools, and makes all the plain between impassable. A little below
the marshes stands the temple and oracle of Apollo Tegyraeus, forsaken
not long before that time, having flourished till the Median wars,
Echecrates then being priest. Here they profess that the god was born;
the neighbouring mountain is called Delos, and there the river Melas
comes again into a channel; beyond the temples rises two springs,
admirable for the sweetness, abundance, and coolness of the streams;
one they called Phoenix, the other Elaea, even to the present time,
as if Lucina had not been delivered between two trees, but fountains.
A place hard by, called Ptoum, is shown, where they say she was affrighted
by the appearance of a boar; and the stories of the Python and Tityus
are in like manner appropriated by these localities. I omit many of
the points that are used as arguments. For our tradition does not
rank this god amongst those that were born, and then made immortal,
as Hercules and Bacchus, whom their virtue raised above a mortal and
passable condition; but Apollo is one of the eternal unbegotten deities,
if we may collect any certainty concerning these things, from the
statements of the oldest and wisest in such subjects. 

As the Thebans were retreating from Orchomenus towards Tegyrae, the
Spartans, at the same time marching from Locris, met them. As soon
as they came in view, advancing through the straits, one told Pelopidas,
"We are fallen into our enemy's hands;" he replied, "And why not they
into ours?" and immediately commanded his horse to come up from the
rear and charge, while he himself drew his infantry, being three hundred
in number, into a close body, hoping by that means, at whatsoever
point he made the attack, to break his way through his more numerous
enemies. The Spartans had two companies (the company consisting, as
Ephorus states, of five hundred; Callisthenes says seven hundred;
others, as Polybius, nine hundred); and their leaders, Gorgoleon and
Theopompus, confident of success, advanced upon the Thebans. The charge
being made with much fury, chiefly where the commanders were posted,
the Spartan captains that engaged Pelopidas were first killed; and
those immediately around them suffering severely, the whole army was
thus disheartened, and opened a lane for the Thebans as if they desired
to pass through and escape. But when Pelopidas entered, and turning
against those that stood their ground, still went with a bloody slaughter,
an open flight ensued amongst the Spartans. The pursuit was carried
but a little way, because they feared the neighbouring Orchomenians
and the reinforcements from Lacedaemon; they had succeeded, however,
in fighting a way through their enemies, and overpowering their whole
force; and, therefore, erecting a trophy, and spoiling the slain,
they returned home extremely encouraged with their achievements. For
in all the great wars there had ever been against Greeks or barbarians,
the Spartans were never before beaten by a smaller company than their
own; nor, indeed, in a set battle, when their number was equal. Hence
their courage was thought irresistible, and their high repute before
the battle made a conquest already of enemies, who thought themselves
no match for the men of Sparta even on equal terms. But this battle
first taught the other Greeks, that not only Eurotas, or the country
between Babyce and Cnacion, breeds men of courage and resolution,
but that where the youth are ashamed of baseness, and ready to venture
in a good cause, where they fly disgrace more than danger, there,
wherever it be, are found the bravest and most formidable opponents.

Gorgidas, according to some, first formed the Sacred Band of three
hundred chosen men, to whom, as being a guard for the citadel, the
State allowed provision, and all things necessary for exercise: and
hence they were called the city band, as citadels of old were usually
called cities. Others say that it was composed of young men attached
to each other by personal affection, and a pleasant saying of Pammenes
is current, that Homer's Nestor was not well skilled in ordering an
army, when he advised the Greeks to rank tribe and tribe, and family
and family together, that- 

"So tribe might tribe, and kinsmen kinsmen aid." but that he should
have joined lovers and their beloved. For men of the same tribe or
family little value one another when dangers press; but a band cemented
by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible;
since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, and
the beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for the
relief of one another. Nor can that be wondered at since they have
more regard for their absent lovers than for others present; as in
the instance of the man who, when his enemy was going to kill him,
earnestly requested him to run him through the breast, that his lover
might not blush to see him wounded in the back. It is a tradition
likewise that Iolaus, who assisted Hercules in his labours and fought
at his side, was beloved of him; and Aristotle observes that, even
in his time, lovers plighted their faith at Iolaus's tomb. It is likely,
therefore, that this band was called sacred on this account; as Plato
calls a lover a divine friend. It is stated that it was never beaten
till the battle at Chaeronea: and when Philip, after the fight, took
a view of the slain, and came to the place where the three hundred
that fought his phalanx lay dead together, he wondered, and understanding
that it was the band of lovers, he shed tears and said, "Perish any
man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything that
was base." 

It was not the disaster of Laius, as the poets imagine, that first
gave rise to this form of attachment amongst the Thebans, but their
lawgivers, designing to soften whilst they were young their natural
fierceness, brought, for example, the pipe into great esteem, both
in serious and sportive occasions, and gave great encouragement to
these friendships in the Palaestra, to temper the manners and characters
of the youth. With a view to this they did well, again, to make Harmony,
the daughter of Mars and Venus, their tutelar deity; since, where
force and courage is joined with gracefulness and winning behaviour,
a harmony ensues that combines all the elements of society in perfect
consonance and order. Gorgidas distributed this Sacred Band all through
the front ranks of the infantry, and thus made their gallantry less
conspicuous; not being united in one body, but mingled with so many
others of inferior resolution, they had no fair opportunity of showing
what they could do. But Pelopidas, having sufficiently tried their
bravery at Tegyrae, where they had fought alone and around his own
person, never afterward divided them, but, keeping them entire, and
as one man, gave them the first duty in the greatest battles. For
as horses ran brisker in a chariot than singly, not that their joint
force divides the air with greater ease, but because being matched
one against the other emulation kindles and inflames their courage;
thus he thought brave men, provoking one another to noble actions,
would prove most serviceable, and most resolute, where all were united
together. 

Now when the Lacedaemonians had made peace with the other Greeks,
and united all their strength against the Thebans only, and their
king, Cleombrotus, had passed the frontier with ten thousand foot
and one thousand horse, and not only subjection, as heretofore, but
total dispersion and annihilation threatened, and Boeotia was in a
greater fear than ever- Pelopidas, leaving his house, when his wife
followed him on his way, and with tears begged him to be careful of
his life, made answer, "Private men, my wife, should be advised to
look to themselves, generals to save others." And when he came to
the camp, and found the chief captains disagreeing, he, first, joined
the side of Epaminondas, who advised to fight the enemy; though Pelopidas
himself was not then in office as chief captain of Boeotia, but in
command of the Sacred Band, and trusted as it was fit a man should
be, who had given his country such proofs of his zeal for its freedom.
And so when a battle was agreed on, and they encamped in front of
the Spartans at Leuctra, Pelopidas saw a vision, which much discomposed
him. In that plain lie the bodies of the daughters of one Scedasus,
called from the place Leuctridae, having been buried there after having
been ravished by some Spartan strangers. When this base and lawless
deed was done, and their father could get no satisfaction at Lacedaemon,
with bitter imprecations on the Spartans, he killed himself at his
daughters' tombs: and from that time the prophecies and oracles still
warned them to have a great care of the divine vengeance at Leuctra.
Many, however, did not understand the meaning, being uncertain about
the place, because there was a little maritime town of Laconia called
Leuctron, and near Megalopolis in Arcadia a place of the same name;
and the villainy was committed long before this battle. 

Now Pelopidas, being asleep in the camp, thought he saw the maidens
weeping about their tombs, and cursing the Spartans, and Scedasus
commanding, if they desired the victory, to sacrifice a virgin with
chestnut hair to his daughters. Pelopidas looked on this as an harsh
and impious injunction, but rose and told it to the prophets and commanders
of the army, some of whom contended that it was fit to obey, and adduced
as examples from the ancients, Menoeceus, son of Creon; Macaria, daughter
of Hercules; and from later times, Pherecydes the philosopher, slain
by the Lacedaemonians, and his skin, as the oracles advised, still
kept by their kings. Leonidas, again, warned by the oracle, did as
it were sacrifice himself for the good of Greece; Themistocles offered
human victims to Bacchus Omestes, before the engagement at Salamis;
and success showed their actions to be good. On the contrary, Agesilaus,
going from the same place, and against the same enemies that Agamemnon
did, and being commanded in a dream at Aulis to sacrifice his daughter,
was so weak as to disobey; the consequence of which was, that his
expedition was unsuccessful and inglorious. But some on the other
side urged that such a barbarous and impious obligation could not
be pleasing to any Superior Beings; that typhons and giants did not
preside over the world, but the general father of gods and men; that
it was absurd to imagine any divinities or powers delighted in slaughter
and sacrifices of men; or, if there were such, they were to be neglected
as weak and unable to assist; such unreasonable and cruel desires
could only proceed from, and live in, weak and depraved minds.

The commanders thus disputing, and Pelopidas being in a great perplexity,
a mare colt breaking from the herd, ran through the camp, and when
she came to the place where they were stood still; and whilst some
admired her bright chestnut colour, others her mettle, or the strength
and fury of her neighing, Theocritus, the augur, took thought, and
cried out to Pelopidas, "O good friend! look, the sacrifice is come;
expect no other virgin, but use that which the gods have sent thee."
With that they took the colt, and, leading her to the maidens' sepulchres,
with the usual solemnity and prayers, offered her with joy, and spread
through the whole army the account of Pelopidas's dream, and how they
had given the required sacrifice. 

In the battle, Epaminondas, bending his phalanx to the left, that,
as much as possible, he might divide the right wing, composed of Spartans,
from the other Greeks, and distress Cleombrotus by a fierce charge
in column on that wing, the enemies perceived the design, and began
to change their order, to open and extend their right wing, and, as
they far exceeded him in number, to encompass Epaminondas. But Pelopidas
with the three hundred came rapidly up, before Cleombrotus could extend
his line, and close up his divisions, and so fell upon the Spartans
while in disorder; though the Lacedaemonians, the expertest and most
practised soldiers of all mankind, used to train and accustom themselves
to nothing so much as to keep themselves from confusion upon any change
of position, and to follow any leader, or right-hand man, and form
in order, and fight on what part soever dangers press. In this battle,
however, Epaminondas with his phalanx, neglecting the other Greeks,
and charging them alone, and Pelopidas coming up with such incredible
speed and fury, so broke their courage and baffled their art that
there began such a flight and slaughter amongst the Spartans as was
never before known. And so Pelopidas, though in no high office, but
only captain of a small band, got as much reputation by the victory
as Epaminondas, who was general and chief captain of Boeotia.

Into Peloponnesus, however, they both advanced together as colleagues
in supreme command, and gained the greater part of the nations there
from the Spartan confederacy; Elis, Argos, all Arcadia, and much of
Laconia itself. It was the dead of winter, and but few of the last
days of the month remained, and, in the beginning of the next, few
officers were to succeed, and whoever failed to deliver up his charge
forfeited his head. Therefore, the other chief captains fearing the
law, and to avoid the sharpness of the winter, advised a retreat.
But Pelopidas joined with Epaminondas, and, encouraging his countrymen,
led them against Sparta, and, passing the Eurotas, took many of the
towns, and wasted the country as far as the sea. This army consisted
of seventy thousand Greeks, of which number the Thebans could not
make the twelfth part; but the reputation of the men made all their
allies contented to follow them as leaders, though no articles to
that effect had been made. For, indeed, it seems the first and paramount
law, that he that wants a defender is naturally a subject to him that
is able to defend: as mariners, though in a calm or in the port they
grow insolent, and brave the pilot, yet when a storm comes, and danger
is at hand, they all attend, and put their hopes in him. So the Argives,
Eleans, and Arcadians, in their congresses, would contend with the
Thebans for superiority in command, yet in a battle, or any hazardous
undertaking, of their own will followed their Theban captains. In
this expedition they united all Arcadia into one body, and expelling
the Spartans that inhabited Messenia, they called back the old Messenians,
and established them in Ithome in one body;- and, returning through
Cenchreae, they dispersed the Athenians, who designed to set upon
them in the straits, and hinder their march. 

For these exploits, all the other Greeks loved their courage and admired
their success; but among their own citizens, envy, still increasing
with their glory, prepared them no pleasing nor agreeable reception.
Both were tried for their lives, because they did not deliver up their
command in the first month, Bucatius, as the law required, but kept
it four months longer, in which time they did these memorable actions
in Messenia, Arcadia, and Laconia. Pelopidas was first tried, and
therefore in greatest danger, but both were acquitted. Epaminondas
bore the accusation and trial very patiently, esteeming it a great
and essential part of courage and generosity not to resent injuries
in political life. But Pelopidas, being a man of a fiercer temper,
and stirred on by his friends to revenge the affront, took the following
occasion. Meneclidas, the orator, was one of those that had met with
Melon and Pelopidas at Charon's house; but not receiving equal honour,
and being powerful in his speech, but loose in his manners, and ill-natured,
he abused his natural endowments, even after this trial, to accuse
and calumniate his betters. He excluded Epaminondas from the chief
captaincy, and for a long time kept the upper hand of him, but he
was not powerful enough to bring Pelopidas out of the people's favour,
and therefore endeavoured to raise a quarrel between him and Charon.
And since it is some comfort to the envious to make those men, whom
themselves cannot excel, appear worse than others, he studiously enlarged
upon Charon's actions in his speeches to the people, and made panegyrics
on his expeditions and victories; and, of the victory which the horsemen
won at Plataea, before the battle at Leuctra, under Charon's command,
he endeavoured to make the following sacred memorial. Androcydes,
the Cyzicenian, had undertaken to paint a previous battle for the
city, and was at work in Thebes: and when the revolt began, and the
war came on, the Thebans kept the picture that was then almost finished.
This picture Meneclidas persuaded them to dedicate, inscribed with
Charon's name, designing by that means to obscure the glory of Epaminondas
and Pelopidas. This was a ludicrous piece of pretension, to set a
single victory, where only one Gerandas, an obscure Spartan, and forty
more were slain, above such numerous and important battles. This motion
Pelopidas opposed, as contrary to law, alleging that it was not the
custom of the Thebans to honour any single man, but to attribute the
victory to their country; yet in all the contest he extremely commended
Charon, and confined himself to showing Meneclidas to be a troublesome
and envious fellow, asking the Thebans, if they had done nothing that
was excellent insomuch that Meneclidas was severely fined; and he,
being unable to pay, endeavoured afterwards to disturb the government.
These things give us some light into Pelopidas's life. 

Now when Alexander, the tyrant of Pherae, made open war against some
of the Thessalians, and had designs against all, the cities sent an
embassy to Thebes, to desire succours and a general; and Pelopidas,
knowing that Epaminondas was detained by the Peloponnesian affairs,
offered himself to lead the Thessalians, being unwilling to let his
courage and skill lie idle, and thinking it unfit that Epaminondas
should be withdrawn from his present duties. When he came into Thessaly
with his army, he presently took Larissa, and endeavoured to reclaim
Alexander, who submitted, and bring him, from being a tyrant, to govern
gently, and according to law; but finding him untractable and brutish,
and hearing great complaints of his lust and cruelty, Pelopidas began
to be severe, and used him roughly, insomuch that the tyrant stole
away privately with his guard. But Pelopidas, leaving the Thessalians
fearless of the tyrant, and friends amongst themselves, marched into
Macedonia, where Ptolemy was then at war with Alexander the King of
Macedon; both parties having sent for him to hear and determine their
differences, and assist the one that appeared injured. When he came,
he reconciled them, calling back the exiles; and receiving for hostages
Philip the king's brother, and thirty children of the nobles, he brought
them to Thebes; showing the other Greeks how wide a reputation the
Thebans had gained for honesty and courage. This was that Philip who
afterwards endeavoured to enslave the Greeks; then he was a boy, lived
with Pammenes in Thebes; and hence some conjecture that he took Epaminondas's
actions for the rule of his own; and perhaps, indeed, he did take
example from his activity and skill in war, which, however, was but
a small portion of his virtues; of his temperance, justice, generosity,
and mildness, in which he was truly great, Philip enjoyed no share
either by nature or imitation. 

After this, upon a second complaint of the Thessalians against Alexander
of Pherae, as a disturber of the cities, Pelopidas was joined with
Ismenias, in an embassy to him; but led no forces from Thebes not
expecting any war, and therefore was necessitated to make use of the
Thessalians upon the emergency. At the same time, also, Macedon was
in confusion again, as Ptolemy had murdered the king, and seized the
government: but the king's friends sent for Pelopidas, and he being
willing to interpose in the matter, but having no soldiers of his
own, enlisted some mercenaries in that country, and with them marched
against Ptolemy. When they faced one another Ptolemy corrupted these
mercenaries with a sum of money, and persuaded them to revolt to him;
but yet fearing the very name and reputation of Pelopidas, he came
to him as his superior, submitted, begged his pardon, and protested
that he kept the government only for the brothers of the dead king,
and would prove a friend to the friends, and an enemy to the enemies
of Thebes; and, to confirm this, he gave his son, Philoxenus, and
fifty of his companions, for hostages. These Pelopidas sent to Thebes;
but he himself, being vexed at the treachery of the mercenaries, and
understanding that most of their goods, their wives, and children
lay at Pharsalus, so that if he could take them the injury would be
sufficiently revenged, got together some of the Thessalians, and marched
to Pharsalus. When he just entered the city, Alexander, the tyrant,
appeared before it with an army; but Pelopidas and his friends, thinking
that he came to clear himself from those crimes that were laid to
his charge, went to him; and though they knew very well that he was
profligate and cruel, yet they imagined that the authority of Thebes,
and their own dignity and reputation, would secure them from violence.
But the tyrant, seeing them come unarmed and alone, seized them, and
made himself master of Pharsalus. Upon this his subjects were much
intimidated, thinking that after so great and so bold an iniquity
he would spare none, but behave himself toward all, and in all matters,
as one despairing of his life. 

The Thebans, when they heard of this, were very much enraged, and
despatched an army, Epaminondas being then in disgrace, under the
command of other leaders. When the tyrant brought Pelopidas to Pherae,
at first he permitted those that desired it to speak with him, imagining
that this disaster would break his spirit, and make him appear contemptible.
But when Pelopidas advised the complaining Pheraeans to be comforted,
as if the tyrant was now certain in a short time to smart for his
injuries, and sent to tell him, "that it was absurd daily to torment
and murder his wretched innocent subjects, and yet spare him, who,
he well knew, if ever he got his liberty, would be bitterly revenged;"
the tyrant, wondering at his boldness and freedom of speech, replied,
"And why is Pelopidas in haste to die?" He, hearing of it, rejoined,
"That you may be the sooner ruined, being then more hated by the gods
than now." From that time he forbade any to converse with him; but
Thebe, the daughter of Jason and wife to Alexander, hearing from the
keepers of the bravery and noble behaviour of Pelopidas, had a great
desire to see and speak with him. Now when she came into the prison,
and, as a woman, could not at once discern his greatness in his calamity,
only judging by the meanness of his attire and general appearance,
that he was used basely and not befitting a man of his reputation,
she wept. Pelopidas, at first not knowing who she was, stood amazed;
but when he understood, saluted her by her father's name- Jason and
he having been friends and familiars- and she saying, "I pity your
wife, sir," he replied, "And I you, that though not in chains, can
endure Alexander." This touched the woman, who already hated Alexander
for his cruelty and injustice, for his general debaucheries, and for
his abuse of her youngest brother. She, therefore, often went to Pelopidas,
and, speaking freely of the indignities she suffered, grew more enraged
and more exasperated against Alexander. 

The Theban generals that were sent into Thessaly did nothing, but,
being either unskillful or unfortunate, made a dishonourable retreat,
for which the city fined each of them ten thousand drachmas, and sent
Epaminondas with their forces. The Thessalians, inspirited by the
fame of this general, at once began to stir, and the tyrant's affairs
were at the verge of destruction; so great was the fear that possessed
his captains and his friends, and so eager the desire of his subjects
to revolt, in hope of his speedy punishment. But Epaminondas, more
solicitous for the safety of Pelopidas than his own glory, and fearing
that if things came to extremity Alexander would grow desperate, and,
like a wild beast, turn and worry him, did not prosecute the war to
the utmost; but, hovering still over him with his army, he so handled
the tyrant as not to leave him any confidence, and yet not to drive
him to despair and fury. He was aware of his savageness, and the little
value he had for right and justice, insomuch that sometimes he buried
men alive, and sometimes dressed them in bears' and boars' skins,
and then baited them with dog, or shot at them for his divertisement.
At Meliboea and Scotussa, two cities, his allies, he called all the
inhabitants to an assembly, and then surrounded them and cut them
to pieces with his guards. He consecrated the spear with which he
killed his uncle Polyphron, and, crowning it with garlands, sacrificed
to it as a god, and called it Tychon. And once seeing a tragedian
act Euripides's Troades, he left the theatre; but sending for the
actor, bade him not to be concerned at his departure, but act as he
had been used to do, as it was not in contempt of him that he departed,
but because he was ashamed that his citizens should see him, who never
pitied any man that he murdered, weep at the sufferings of Hecuba
and Andromache. This tyrant, however alarmed at the very name, report,
and appearance of an expedition under the conduct of Epaminondas,
presently- 

"Dropped like a craven cock his conquered wing." and sent an embassy
to entreat and offer satisfaction. Epaminondas refused to admit such
a man as an ally to the Thebans, but granted him a truce of thirty
days, and Pelopidas and Ismenias being delivered up, returned home.

Now the Thebans, understanding that the Spartans and Athenians had
sent an embassy to the Persians for assistance, themselves, likewise,
sent Pelopidas; an excellent design to increase his glory, no man
having ever before passed through the dominions of the king with greater
fame and reputation. For the glory that he won against the Spartans
did not creep slowly or obscurely; but, after the fame of the first
battle at Leuctra was gone abroad, the report of new victories continually
following, exceedingly increased, and spread his celebrity far and
near. Whatever satraps or generals or commanders he met, he was the
object of their wonder and discourse. "This is the man," they said,
"who hath beaten the Lacedaemonians from sea and land, and confined
that Sparta within Taygetus and Eurotas, which, but a little before,
under the conduct of Agesilaus, was entering upon a war with the great
king about Susa and Ecbatana." This pleased Artaxerxes, and he was
the more inclined to show Pelopidas attention and honour, being desirous
to seem reverenced, and attended by the greatest. But when he saw
him and heard his discourse, more solid than the Athenians, and not
so haughty as the Spartans, his regard was heightened, and, truly
acting like a king, he openly showed the respect that he felt for
him; and this the other ambassadors perceived. Of all other Greeks
he had been thought to have done Antalcidas, the Spartan, the greatest
honour, by sending him that garland dipped in an unguent, which he
himself had worn at an entertainment. Indeed, he did not deal so delicately
with Pelopidas, but, according to the custom, gave him the most splendid
and considerable presents, and granted him his desires- that the Grecians
should be free, Messenia inhabited, and the Thebans accounted the
king's hereditary friends. With these answers, but not accepting one
of the presents, except what was a pledge of kindness and good-will,
he returned. This behaviour of Pelopidas ruined the other ambassadors;
the Athenians condemned and executed their Timagoras, and, indeed,
if they did it for receiving so many presents from the king, their
sentence was just and good; as he not only took gold and silver, but
a rich bed, and slaves to make it, as if the Greeks were unskillful
in that art; besides eighty cows and herdsmen, professing he needed
cows' milk for some distemper; and, lastly, he was carried in a litter
to the seaside, with a present of four talents for his attendants.
But the Athenians, perhaps, were not so much irritated at his greediness
for the presents. For Epicrates the baggage-carrier not only confessed
to the people that he had received gifts from the king, but made a
motion, that instead of nine archons, they should yearly choose nine
poor citizens to be sent ambassadors to the king, and enriched by
his presents, and the people only laughed at the joke. But they were
vexed that the Thebans obtained their desires, never considering that
Pelopidas's fame was more powerful than all their rhetorical discourse,
with a man who still inclined to the victorious in arms. This embassy,
having obtained the restitution of Messenia, and the freedom of the
other Greeks, got Pelopidas a great deal of good-will at his return.

At this time, Alexander the Pheraean falling back to his old nature,
and having seized many of the Thessalian cities, and put garrisons
upon the Achaeans of Phthiotis, and the Magnesians, the cities, hearing
that Pelopidas was returned, sent an embassy to Thebes requesting
succours, and him for their leader. The Thebans willingly granted
their desire; and now when all things were prepared, and the general
beginning to march, the sun was eclipsed, and darkness spread over
the city at noonday. Now when Pelopidas saw them startled at the prodigy,
he did not think it fit to force on men who were afraid and out of
heart, nor to hazard seven thousand of his citizens; and therefore
with only three hundred horse volunteers, set forward himself to Thessaly,
much against the will of the augurs and his fellow-citizens in general,
who all imagined this marked portent to have reference to this great
man. But he was heated against Alexander for the injuries he had received,
and hoped likewise, from the discourse which formerly he had with
Thebe, that his family by this time was divided and in disorder. But
the glory of the expedition chiefly excited him; for he was extremely
desirous at this time, when the Lacedaemonians were sending out military
officers to assist Dionysius the Sicilian tyrant, and the Athenians
took Alexander's pay, and honoured him with a brazen statue as a benefactor,
that the Thebans should be seen, alone, of all the Greeks, undertaking
the cause of those who were oppressed by tyrants, and destroying the
violent and illegal forms of government in Greece. 

When Pelopidas was come to Pharsalus, he formed an army, and presently
marched against Alexander; and Alexander understanding that Pelopidas
had few Thebans with him, and that his own infantry was double the
number of the Thessalians, faced him at Thetidium. Some one told Pelopidas,
"The tyrant meets us with a great army;" "So much the better," he
replied, "for then we shall overcome the more." Between the two armies
lay some steep high hills about Cynoscephalae, which both parties
endeavoured to take by their foot. Pelopidas commanded his horse,
which were good and many, to charge that of the enemies; they routed
and pursued them through the plain. But Alexander meantime took the
hills, and charging the Thessalian foot that came up later, and strove
to climb the steep and craggy ascent, killed the foremost, and the
others, much distressed, could do the enemies no harm. Pelopidas,
observing this, sounded a retreat to his horse, and gave orders that
they should charge the enemies that kept their ground; and he himself,
taking his shield, quickly joined those that fought about the hills,
and advancing to the front, filled his men with such courage and alacrity,
that the enemies imagined they came with other spirits and other bodies
to the onset. They stood two or three charges, but finding these come
on stoutly, and the horse, also, returning from the pursuit, gave
ground, and retreated in order. Pelopidas now perceiving, from the
rising ground, that the enemy's army was, though not yet routed, full
of disorder and confusion, stood and looked about for Alexander; and
when he saw him in the right wing, encouraging and ordering his mercenaries,
he could not moderate his anger, but inflamed at the sight, and blindly
following his passion, regardless alike of his own life and his command,
advanced far before his soldiers, crying out and challenging the tyrant
who did not dare to receive him, but retreating, hid himself amongst
his guard. The foremost of the mercenaries that came hand to hand
were driven back by Pelopidas, and some killed; but many at a distance
shot through his armour and wounded him, till the Thessalians, in
anxiety for the result, ran down the hill to his relief, but found
him already slain. The horse came up also, and routed the phalanx,
and following the pursuit a great way filled the whole country with
the slain, which were above three thousand. 

No one can wonder that the Thebans then present should show great
grief at the death of Pelopidas, calling him their father, deliverer,
and instructor in all that was good and commendable. But the Thessalians
and the allies, outdoing in their public edicts all the just honours
that could be paid to human courage, gave, in their display of feeling,
yet stronger demonstrations of the kindness they had for him. It is
stated that none of the soldiers, when they heard of his death, would
put off their armour, unbridle their horses, or dress their wounds,
but still hot and with their arms on, ran to the corpse, and, as if
he had been yet alive and could see what they did, heaped up spoils
about his body. They cut off their horses' manes and their own hair,
many kindled no fire in their tents, took no supper, and silence and
sadness was spread over all the army; as if they had not gained the
greatest and most glorious victory, but were overcome by the tyrant
and enslaved. As soon as it was known in the cities, the magistrates,
youths, children, and priests came out to meet the body, and brought
trophies, crowns, and suits of golden armour; and, when he was to
be interred, the elders of the Thessalians came and begged the Thebans
that they might give the funeral; and one of them said, "Friends,
we ask a favour of you, that will prove both an honour and comfort
to us in this our great misfortune. The Thessalians shall never again
wait on the living Pelopidas, shall never give honours of which he
can be sensible, but if we may have his body, adorn his funeral, and
inter him, we shall hope to show that we esteem his death a greater
loss to the Thessalians than to the Thebans. You have lost only a
good general, we both a general and our liberty. For how shall we
dare to desire from you another captain, since we cannot restore Pelopidas?"

The Thebans granted their request, and there was never a more splendid
funeral in the opinion of those who do not think the glory of such
solemnities consists only in gold, ivory, and purple; as Philistus
did, who extravagantly celebrates the funeral of Dionysius, in which
his tyranny concluded like the pompous exit of some great tragedy.
Alexander the Great, at the death of Hephaestion, not only cut off
the manes of his horses and his mules, but took down the battlements
from the city walls, that even the towns might seem mourners, and
instead of their former beauteous appearance, look bald at his funeral.
But such honours, being commanded and forced from the mourners, attended
with feelings of jealousy towards those who received them, and of
hatred towards those who exacted them, were no testimonies of love
and respect, but of the barbaric pride, luxury, and insolence of those
who lavished their wealth in these vain and undesirable displays.
But that a man of common rank, dying in a strange country, neither
his wife, children, nor kinsmen present, none either asking or compelling
it, should be attended, buried, and crowned by so many cities that
strove to exceed one another in the demonstrations of their love,
seems to be the sum and completion of happy fortune. For the death
of happy men is not, as Aesop observes, most grievous, but most blessed,
since it secures their felicity, and puts it out of fortune's power.
And that Spartan advised well, who, embracing Diagoras, that had himself
been crowned in the Olympic Games, and saw his sons and grandchildren
victors, said, "Die, Diagoras, for thou canst not be a god." And yet
who would compare all the victories in the Pythian and Olympian Games
put together with one of those enterprises of Pelopidas, of which
he successfully performed so many? Having spent his life in brave
and glorious actions, he died at last in the chief command, for the
thirteenth time, of the Boeotians, fighting bravely and in the act
of slaying a tyrant, in defence of the liberty of the Thessalians.

His death, as it brought grief, so likewise it produced advantage
to the allies; for the Thebans, as soon as they heard of his fall,
delayed not their revenge, but presently sent seven thousand foot
and seven hundred horse, under the command of Malcitas and Diogiton.
And they, finding Alexander weak and without forces, compelled him
to restore the cities he had taken, to withdraw his garrisons from
the Magnesians and Achaeans of Phthiotis, and swear to assist the
Thebans against whatsoever enemies they should require. This contented
the Thebans, but punishment overtook the tyrant for his wickedness,
and the death of Pelopidas was revenged by Heaven in the following
manner. Pelopidas, as I have already mentioned, had taught his wife
Thebe not to fear the outward splendour and show of the tyrant's defences,
since she was admitted within them. She, of herself, too, dreaded
his inconstancy, and hated his cruelty; and therefore, conspiring
with her three brothers, Tisiphonus, Pytholaus, and Lycophron, made
the following attempt upon him. All other apartments were full of
the tyrant's night guards, but their bed-chamber was an upper room,
and before the door lay a chained dog to guard it, which would fly
at all but the tyrant and his wife and one servant that fed him. When
Thebe, therefore, designed to kill her husband, she hid her brothers
all day in a room hard by, and she, going in alone, according to her
usual custom, to Alexander, who was asleep already, in a little time
came out again, and commanded the servant to lead away the dog, for
Alexander wished to rest quietly. She covered the stairs with wool,
that the young men might make no noise as they came up; and then,
bringing up her brothers with their weapons, and leaving them at the
chamber door, she went in, and brought away the tyrant's sword that
hung over his head, and showed it them for confirmation that he was
fast asleep. The young men appearing fearful, and unwilling to do
the murder, she chid them, and angrily vowed she would wake Alexander
and discover the conspiracy; and so, with a lamp in her hand, she
conducted them in, they being both ashamed and afraid, and brought
them to the bed; when one of them caught him by the feet, the other
pulled him backwards by the hair, and the third ran him through. The
death was more speedy, perhaps, than was fit; but, in that he was
the first tyrant that was killed by the contrivance of his wife, and
as his corpse was abused, thrown out, and trodden under foot by the
Pheraeans, he seems to have suffered what his villainies deserved.

THE END

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