diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1169-0.txt | 1615 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 1169-h/1169-h.htm | 1901 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1169-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 41964 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1169-h/1169-h.htm | 2304 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1169.txt | 2003 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/1169.zip | bin | 0 -> 40096 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/agsls10.txt | 1873 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/agsls10.zip | bin | 0 -> 37840 bytes |
11 files changed, 9712 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1169-0.txt b/1169-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bda4873 --- /dev/null +++ b/1169-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1615 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1169 *** + +AGESILAUS + +By Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + + + + + Dedicated To + Rev. B. Jowett, M.A. + Master of Balliol College + Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford + + + + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Agesilaus summarises the life of his Spartan + friend and king, whom he met after the events of + the Anabasis. + + + + + +PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + + +AGESILAUS + + + + +An Encomium + + The date of Agesilaus's death is uncertain--360 B.C. (Grote, + "H. G." ix. 336); 358 B.C. (Curt. iv. 196, Eng. tr.) + + + + +I + +To write the praises of Agesilaus in language equalling his virtue and +renown is, I know, no easy task; yet must it be essayed; since it were +but an ill requital of pre-eminence, that, on the ground of his +perfection, a good man should forfeit the tribute even of imperfect +praise. + +As touching, therefore, the excellency of his birth, what weightier, +what nobler testimony can be adduced than this one fact? To the +commemorative list of famous ancestry is added to-day the name (1) +Agesilaus as holding this or that numerical descent from Heracles, and +these ancestors no private persons, but kings sprung from the loins of +kings. Nor is it open to the gainsayer to contend that they were kings +indeed but of some chance city. Not so, but even as their family holds +highest honour in their fatherland, so too is their city the most +glorious in Hellas, whereby they hold, not primacy over the second +best, but among leaders they have leadership. + + (1) Or, "even to-day, in the proud bead-roll of his ancestry he stands + commemorated, in numerical descent from Heracles." + +And herein it is open to us to praise both his fatherland and his +family. It is notable that never throughout these ages has Lacedaemon, +out of envy of the privilege accorded to her kings, tried to dissolve +their rule; nor ever yet throughout these ages have her kings strained +after greater powers than those which limited their heritage of +kingship from the first. Wherefore, while all other forms of +government, democracies and oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies, +alike have failed to maintain their continuity unbroken, here, as the +sole exception, endures indissolubly their kingship. (2) + + (2) See "Cyrop." I. i. 1. + +And next in token of an aptitude for kingship seen in Agesilaus, +before even he entered upon office, I note these signs. On the death +of Agis, king of Lacedaemon, there were rival claimants to the throne. +Leotychides claimed the succession as being the son of Agis, and +Agesilaus as the son of Archidamus. But the verdict of Lacedaemon +favoured Agesilaus as being in point of family and virtue +unimpeachable, (3) and so they set him on the throne. And yet, in this +princeliest of cities so to be selected by the noblest citizens as +worthy of highest privilege, argues, methinks conclusively, an +excellence forerunning exercise of rule. (4) + + (3) For this matter see "Hell." III. iii. 1-6; V. iv. 13; Plut. + "Ages." iii. 3 (Cloigh, iv. 3 foll.); Paus. iii. 3. + + (4) See Aristides ("Rhet." 776), who quotes the passage for its + measured cadence. + +And so I pass on at once to narrate the chief achievements of his +reign, since by the light of deeds the character of him who wrought +them will, if I mistake not, best shine forth. + +Agesilaus was still a youth (5) when he obtained the kingdom, and he +was still but a novice in his office when the news came that the king +of Persia was collecting a mighty armament by sea and land for the +invasion of Hellas. The Lacedaemonians and their allies sat debating +these matters, when Agesilaus undertook to cross over into Asia. He +only asked for thirty Spartans and two thousand New Citizens, (6) +besides a contingent of the allies six thousand strong; with these he +would cross over into Asia and endeavour to effect a peace; or, if the +barbarian preferred war, he would leave him little leisure to invade +Hellas. + + (5) B.C. 399; according to Plut. ("Ages." ad fin.) he was forty-three, + and therefore still "not old." See "Hell." III. iv. 1 for the + startling news, B.C. 396. + + (6) For the class of Neodamodes, see Arnold's note to Thuc. v. 34 + (Jowett, "Thuc." ii. 307); also Thuc. vii. 58; "Hell." I. iii. 15. + +The proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm on the part of many. They +could not but admire the eagerness of their king to retaliate upon the +Persian for his former invasions of Hellas by counter-invasion on his +own soil. They liked the preference also which he showed for attacking +rather than awaiting his enemy's attack, and his intention to carry on +the war at the expense of Persia rather than that of Hellas; but it +was the perfection of policy, they felt, so to change the arena of +battle, with Asia as the prize of victory instead of Hellas. If we +pass on to the moment when he had received his army and set sail, I +can conceive no clearer exposition of his generalship than the bare +narration of his exploits. + +The scene is Asia, and this his first achievement. Tissaphernes had +sworn an oath to Agesilaus on this wise: if Agesilaus would grant him +an armistice until the return of certain ambassadors whom he would +send to the king, he (Tissaphernes) would do his utmost to procure the +independence of the Hellenic cities in Asia. And Agesilaus took a +counter oath: without fraud or covin to observe the armistice during +the three months (7) necessary to that transaction. But the compact was +scarcely made when Tissaphernes gave the lie to the solemn undertaking +he had sworn to. So far from effecting peace, he begged the King to +send him a large armament in addition to that which he already had. As +to Agesilaus, though he was well aware of these proceedings, he +adhered loyally to the armistice. + + (7) See Grote, "H. G." x. 359; "Hell." III. iv. 5. + +And for myself, I look upon this as the first glorious achievement of +the Spartan. By displaying the perjury of Tissaphernes he robbed him +of his credit with all the world; by the exhibition of himself in +contrast as a man who ratified his oath and would not gainsay an +article of his agreement, he gave all men, Hellenes and barbarians +alike, encouragement to make covenant with him to the full extent of +his desire. + +When Tissaphernes, priding himself on the strength of that army which +had come down to aid him, bade Agesilaus to be gone from Asia or to +prepare for war, (8) deep was the vexation depicted on the faces of the +Lacedaemonians there present and their allies, as they realised that +the scanty force of Agesilaus was all too small to cope with the +armaments of Persia. But the brow of their general was lit with joy as +gaily he bade the ambassadors take back this answer to Tissaphernes: +"I hold myself indebted to your master for the perjury whereby he has +obtained to himself the hostility of heaven, and made the gods +themselves allies of Hellas." And so without further pause he +published a general order to his soldiers to pack their baggage and +prepare for active service; and to the several cities which lay on the +line of march to Caria, the order sped to have their markets in +readiness; while to the men of Ionia and the Aeolid and the Hellespont +he sent despatches bidding them send their contingents to Ephesus to +join in the campaign. + + (8) Lit. "When Tissaphernes, priding himself... bade Agesilaus be + gone... deep was the annoyance felt." + +Tissaphernes meanwhile was influenced by the fact that Agesilaus had +no cavalry, and that Caria was a hilly district unsuited for that arm. +Moreover, as he further bethought him, Agesilaus must needs be wroth +with him for his deceit. What could be clearer, therefore, than that +he was about to make a dash at the satrap's home in Caria? Accordingly +he transported the whole of his infantry into Caria and marched his +cavalry round the while into the plain of the Maeander, persuaded that +he would trample the Hellenes under the hoofs of his horses long +before they reached the district where no cavalry could operate. + +But Agesilaus, instead of advancing upon Caria, turned right about and +marched in the direction of Phrygia. Picking up the various forces +that met him on his progress, he passed onwards, laying city after +city at his feet, and by the suddenness of his incursion capturing +enormous wealth. + +Here was an achievement which showed the genius of a general, as all +agreed. When once war as declared, and the arts of circumvention and +deceit were thereby justified, he had proved Tissaphernes to be a very +bade in subtlety; (9) and with what sagacity again did he turn the +circumstances to account for the enrichment of his friends. Owing to +the quantity of wealth captured, precious things were selling for a +mere song. Thereupon he gave his friends warning to make their +purchases, adding that he should at once march down to the sea-coast +at the head of his troops. The quartermasters meanwhile received +orders to make a note of the purchasers with the prices of the +articles, and to consign the goods. The result was that, without prior +disbursement on their part, or detriment to the public treasury, his +friends reaped an enormous harvest. Moreover, when deserters came with +offers to disclose hidden treasures, and naturally enough laid their +proposal before the king himself, he took care to have the capture of +these treasures effected by his friends, which would enable them to do +a stroke of business, and at the same time redound to their prestige. +For this reason he was not long in discovering many an eager aspirant +to his friendship. + + (9) See below, xi. 4; "Mem." III. i. 6; IV. ii. 15; "Cyrop." I. vi. + 31; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 10). + +But a country pillaged and denuded of inhabitants would not long +support an army. That he felt. A more perennial source of supply was +surely to be found in waving cornfields and thickly clustering +homesteads. So with infinite pains he set himself not merely to crush +his foes by force, but also to win them to his side by gentleness. In +this spirit he often enjoined upon his soldiers to guard their +captives as fellow-men rather than take vengeance upon them as +evildoers; (10) or, on a change of quarters, if aware of little +children left behind by the dealers (since the men often sold them in +the belief that it would be impossible to carry them away and rear +them), he would show concern in behalf of these poor waifs and have +them conveyed to some place of safety; or he would entrust them to the +care of fellow-prisoners also left behind on account of old age; in no +case must they be left to ravening dogs and wolves. In this way he won +the goodwill not only of those who heard tell of these doings but of +the prisoners themselves. And whenever he brought over a city to his +side, he set the citizens free from the harsher service of a bondsman +to his lord, imposing the gentler obedience of a freeman to his ruler. +Indeed, there were fortresses impregnable to assault which he brought +under his power by the subtler force of human kindness. + + (10) See Grote, vol. ix. p. 365 foll. + +But when, in Phrygia even, the freedom of his march along the flats +was hampered by the cavalry of Pharnabazus, he saw that if he wished +to avoid a skulking warfare under cover, a force of cavalry was +indispensable. Accordingly he enlisted the wealthiest members of every +city in those parts to breed and furnish horses; with this saving +clause, however: that the individual who furnished a horse and arms +with a good rider should be exempt from service himself. By this means +he engendered an eagerness to discharge the obligation, not unlike +that of the condemned man, casting about to discover some one to die +in his place. (11) He further ordered some of the states themselves to +furnish contingents of mounted troopers, and this in the conviction +that from such training-centres he would presently get a pick of +cavaliers proud of their horsemanship. And thus once more he won +golden opinions by the skill with which he provided himself with a +body of cavalry in the plenitude of strength and ripe for active +service. + + (11) Instead of the plain {zetoie} of the parallel passage ("Hell." + III. iv. 15) the encomiast prefers the poetical {masteuoi}. + +On the approach of early spring (12) he collected his whole armament at +Ephesus, and set himself to the work of training it. With that object +he proposed a series of prizes: one set for the cavalry squadron which +rode best, another for the heavy infantry divisions which presented +the best physique, another again for various light troops, peltasts, +and bowmen, which showed themselves most efficient in their respective +duties. + + (12) B.C. 395; see "Hell." III. iv. 16; Plut. "Marcel." (Clough, ii. + 262); Polyb. xii. 20, 7. + +Thereupon it was a sight to see the gymnasiums thronged with warriors +going through their exercises, the racecourses crowded with troopers +on prancing steeds, the archers and the javelin men shooting at the +butts. Nay, the whole city in which he lay was transformed into a +spectacle itself, so filled to overflowing was the market-place with +arms and armour of every sort, and horses, all for sale. Here were +coppersmiths and carpenters, ironfounders and cobblers, painters and +decorators--one and all busily engaged in fabricating the implements +of war; so that an onlooker might have thought the city of Ephesus +itself a gigantic arsenal. It would have kindled courage in the breast +of a coward to see the long lines of soldiers, with Agesilaus at their +head, all garlanded as they marched in proud procession from the +gymnasiums and dedicated their wreaths to our Lady Artemis. Since, +where these three elements exist--reverence towards heaven, practice +in military affairs, and obedience to command--all else must needs be +full of happy promise. + +But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain +strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the +barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The +soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for +toil, soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only +stir abroad in carriages, concluded that a war with women would +scarcely be more formidable. Then he published a further order to the +soldiers: "I shall lead you at once by the shortest route to the +stronghold (13) of the enemy's territory. Your general asks you to keep +yourselves on the alert in mind and body, as men about to enter the +lists of battle on the instant." + + (13) Or, "the richest parts of the country," viz. Lydia; Plut. "Ages." + x. + +But Tissaphernes was persuaded that this was all talk on his part for +the purpose of outwitting him a second time: now certainly Agesilaus +would make an incursion into Caria. So once again the satrap +transported his infantry over into that country just has he had done +before, and as before he posted his cavalry in the plain of the +Maeander. + +This time, however, Agesilaus was true to his word. In accordance with +his published order he advanced straight upon the region of Sardis, +and, during a three days' march through a country where not an enemy +was to be seen, provided his army with abundant supplies. On the +fourth day the enemy's cavalry came up. The Persian general ordered +the commandant of his baggage train to cross the Pactolus and encamp, +whilst his troopers, who had caught sight of the camp followers of the +Hellenes scattered in search of booty, put many of them to the sword. +Agesilaus, aware how matters were going, ordered his cavalry to the +rescue, and the Persians on their side, seeing the enemy's supports +approaching, collected and formed up in line to receive them with the +serried squadrons of their cavalry. And now Agesilaus, conscious that +his enemy's infantry had not as yet arrived, whilst on his side no +element in his preparation was lacking, felt that the moment was come +to join battle if he could. Accordingly he sacrificed and advanced +against the opposing lines of cavalry. A detachment of heavy infantry, +the ten-years-service men, had orders to close with them at the run, +while the light infantry division were told to show them the way at a +swinging pace. At the same time he passed the order along the line of +his cavalry to charge in reliance of the support of himself and the +main body in their rear. Charge they did, these troopers, and the pick +of Persian cavalry received them bravely, but in face of the conjoint +horror of the attack they swerved, and some were cut down at once in +the river-bed, while others sought safety in flight. The Hellenes +followed close on the heels of the flying foe, and captured his camp. +Here the peltasts, not unnaturally, fell to pillaging, whereupon +Agesilaus formed a cordon of troops, round the property of friends and +foes alike, and so encamped. + +Presently hearing that the enemy were in a state of disorder, the +result of every one holding his fellow responsible for what had +happened, he advanced without further stay on Sardis. Having arrived, +he fell to burning and ravaging the suburbs, while at the same time he +did not fail to make it known by proclamation that those who asked for +freedom should join his standard; or if there were any who claimed a +right of property in Asia he challenged them to come out and meet her +liberators in fair fight and let the sword decide between them. +Finding that no one ventured to come out to meet him, his march became +for the future a peaceful progress. All around him he beheld Hellenes +who formerly were forced to bow the knee to brutal governors now +honoured by their former tyrants, while those who had claimed to enjoy +divine honours were so humbled by him that they scarce dared to look a +Hellene in the face. Everywhere he saved the territory of his friends +from devastation, and reaped the fruits of the enemy's soil to such +good effect that within two years he was able to dedicate as a tithe +to the god at Delphi more than one hundred talents. (14) + + (14) = 25,000 pounds nearly. + +It was then that the Persian king, believing that Tissaphernes was to +blame for the ill success of his affairs, sent down Tithraustes and +cut off the satrap's head. After this the fortunes of the barbarians +grew still more desperate, whilst those of Agesilaus assumed a bolder +front. On all side embassies from the surrounding nations came to make +terms of friendship, and numbers even came over to him, stretching out +eager arms to grasp at freedom. So that Agesilaus was now no longer +the chosen captain of the Hellenes only, but of many Asiatics. + +And here we may pause and consider what a weight of admiration is due +to one who, being now ruler over countless cities of the continent, +and islands also (since the state had further entrusted the navy to +his hands), just when he had reached this pinnacle of renown and +power, and might look to turn to account his thronging fortunes; when, +too, which overtops all else, he was cherishing fond hopes to dissolve +that empire which in former days had dared to march on Hellas;--at +such a moment suffered himself not to be overmastered by these +promptings, but on receipt of a summons of the home authorities to +come to the assistance of the fatherland, obeyed the mandate of his +state as readily (15) as though he stood confronted face to face with +the Five in the hall of ephors; and thus gave clear proof that he +would not accept the whole earth in exchange for the land of his +fathers, nor newly-acquired in place of ancient friends, nor base +gains ingloriously purchased rather than the perilous pursuit of +honour and uprightness. (16) + + (15) Cf. Hor. "Od." III. v. 50. + + (16) See Pindar, "Olymp." vi. 14. + +And, indeed, glancing back at the whole period during which he +remained in the exercise of his authority, no act of deeper +significance in proof of his kingly qualities need be named than this. +He found the cities which he was sent out to govern each and all a +prey to factions, the result of constitutional disturbances consequent +on the cessation of the Athenian empire, and without resort to exile +or sanguinary measures he so disposed them by his healing presence +that civil concord and material prosperity were permanently +maintained. Therefore it was that the Hellenes in Asia deplored his +departure, (17) as though they had lost, not simply a ruler, but a +father or bosom friend, and in the end they showed that their +friendship was of no fictitious character. At any rate, they +voluntarily helped him to succour Lacedaemon, though it involved, as +they knew, the need of doing battle with combatants of equal prowess +with themselves. So the tale of his achievements in Asia has an end. + + (17) See Plut. "Ages." xv. + + + + +II + +He crossed the Hellespont and made his way through the very tribes +traversed by the Persian (1) with his multitudinous equipment in former +days, and the march which cost the barbarian a year was accomplished +by Agesilaus in less than a single month. He did not want to arrive a +day too late to serve his fatherland. And so passing through Macedonia +he arrived in Thessaly, and here the men of Larissa, Crannon, +Scotussa, and Pharsalus, who were allies of the Boeotians, and indeed +all the Thessalians, with the exception of those who were in exile at +the time, combined to dog his steps and do him damage. For a while he +led his troops in a hollow square, posting one half of his cavalry in +the van and the other half on his rear, but finding his march hindered +by frequent attacks of the Thessalians on his hindmost divisions, he +sent round the mass of his cavalry from the vanguard to support his +rear, reserving only his personal escort. (2) And now in battle order +the rival squadrons faced each other; when the Thessalians, not liking +a cavalry engagement in face of heavy infantry, wheeled and step by +step retreated; their opponents with much demureness following. Then +Agesilaus, detecting the common error under which both parties +laboured, sent round his own bodyguard of stalwart troopers with +orders to their predecessors (an order they would act upon themselves) +to charge the enemy at full gallop and not give him a chance to rally. +The Thessalians, in face of this unexpected charge, either could not +so much as rally, or in the attempt to do so were caught with their +horses' flanks exposed to the enemy's attack. Polycharmus, the +Pharsalian, a commandant of cavalry, did indeed succeed in wheeling, +but was cut down with those about him sword in hand. This was the +signal for a flight so extraordinary that dead and dying lined the +road, and the living were captured wholesale, nor was a halt made +until the pursuers reached Mount Narthacius. Here, midway between Pras +and Narthacius, Agesilaus erected a trophy, and here for the moment he +halted in unfeigned satisfaction at his exploit, since it was from an +antagonist boasting the finest cavalry in the world that he had +wrested victory with a body of cavalry organised by himself. + + (1) I.e. "Xerxes." + + (2) I.e. "the Three hundred." See Thuc. v. 72; "Pol. Lac." xiii. 6. + +Next day, crossing the mountain barrier of Achaea Phthiotis, his march +lay through friendly territory for the rest of the way as far as the +frontiers of Boeotia. Here he found the confederates drawn up in +battle line. They consisted of the Thebans, the Athenians, the +Argives, the Corinthians, the Aenianians, the Euboeans, and both +divisions of the Locrians. (3) He did not hesitate, but openly before +their eyes drew out his lines to give them battle. He had with him a +division (4) and a half of Lacedaemonians, and from the seat of war +itself the allied troops of the Phocians and the men of Orchomenus +only, besides the armament which he had brought with him from Asia. + + (3) See "Hell." IV. ii. 7. + + (4) Lit. "mora." + +I am not going to maintain that he ventured on the engagement in spite +of having far fewer and inferior forces. Such an assertion would only +reveal the senselessness of the general (5) and the folly of the writer +who should select as praiseworthy the reckless imperilling of mighty +interests. On the contrary, what I admire is the fact that he had +taken care to provide himself with an army not inferior to that of his +enemy, and had so equipped them that his cohorts literally gleamed +with purple and bronze. (6) He had taken pains to enable his soldiers +to undergo the fatigue of war, he had filled their breasts with a +proud consciousness that they were equal to do battle with any +combatants in the world, and what was more, he had infused a wholesome +rivalry in those about him to prove themselves each better than the +rest. He had filled all hearts with sanguine expectation of great +blessings to descend on all, if they proved themselves good men. Such +incentives, he thought, were best calculated to arouse enthusiasm in +men's souls to engage in battle with the enemy. And in this +expectation he was not deceived. + + (5) Lit. "Agesilaus." + + (6) See "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1. + +I proceed to describe the battle, for in certain distinctive features +it differed from all the battles of our day. The contending forces met +on the plain of Coronea, Agesilaus and his troops approaching from the +Cephisus, the Thebans and their allies from the slopes of the Helicon. +These masses of infantry, as any eye might see, were of duly balanced +strength, while as near as could be the cavalry on either side was +numerically the same. Agesilaus held the right of his own army, and on +his extreme left lay the men of Orchomenus. On the opposite side the +Thebans themselves formed their own right and the Argives held their +left. While the two armies approached a deep silence prevailed on +either side, but when they were now a single furlong's (7) space apart +the Thebans quickened to a run, and, with a loud hurrah, dashed +forward to close quarters. And now there was barely a hundred yards (8) +between them, when Herippidas, with his foreign brigade, rushed +forward from the Spartan's battle lines to meet them. This brigade +consisted partly of troops which had served with Agesilaus ever since +he left home, with a portion of the Cyreians, besides Ionians, +Aeolians, and their neighbours on the Hellespont. All these took part +in the forward rush of the attack just mentioned, and coming within +spear-thrust they routed that portion of the enemy in front of them. +The Argives did not even wait for Agesilaus and his division, but fled +towards Helicon, and at that moment some of his foreign friends were +on the point of crowning Agesilaus with the wreath of victory, when +some one brought him word that the Thebans had cut through the +division from Orchomenus and were busy with the baggage-train. +Accordingly he at once deployed his division and advanced by +counter-march against them. The Thebans on their side, seeing that +their allies had scattered on Helicon, and eager to make their way +back to join their friends, began advancing sturdily. + + (7) Lit. "a stade." + + (8) Lit. "three plethra." + +To assert that Agesilaus at this crisis displayed real valour is to +assert a thing indisputable, but for all that the course he adopted +was not the safest. It was open to him to let the enemy pass in their +effort to rejoin their friends, and that done to have hung upon their +heels and overmastered their rear ranks, but he did nothing of the +sort: what he did was, to crash front to front against the Thebans. +And so with shields interlocked they shoved and fought and fought and +shoved, dealing death and yielding life. There was no shouting, nor +yet was there even silence, but a strange and smothered utterance, +such as rage and battle vent. (9) At last a portion of the Thebans +forced their way through towards Helicon, but many were slain in that +departure. + + (9) Or, "as the rage and fury of battle may give vent to." See + "Cyrop." VII. i. 38-40. A graphic touch omitted in "Hell." IV. + iii. 19. + +Victory remained with Agesilaus. Wounded himself, they bore him back +to his own lines, when some of his troopers came galloping up to tell +him that eighty of the enemy had taken refuge with their arms (10) +under cover of the Temple, (11) and they asked what they ought to do. +He, albeit he had received wounds all over him, having been the mark +of divers weapons, did not even so forget his duty to God, and gave +orders to let them go whithersoever they chose, nor suffered them to +be ill-treated, but ordered his bodyguard of cavalry to escort them +out of reach of danger. + + (10) I.e. "they had kept their arms." + + (11) See Plut. "Ages." xix.; Paus. ix. 34. + +And now that the battle had ceased, it was a sight to see where the +encounter took place, the earth bedabbled with gore, the dead lying +cheek by jowl, friend and foe together, and the great shields hacked +and broken to pieces, and the spears snapped asunder, the daggers +lying bare of sheaths, some on the ground, some buried in the bodies, +some still clutched in the dead men's hands. For the moment then, +seeing that it was already late in the day, they dragged together the +corpses of their slain apart from those of the enemy (12) and laid them +within the lines, and took their evening meal and slept; but early +next morning Agesilaus ordered Gylis, the polemarch, to marshal the +troops in battle order and to set up a trophy, while each man donned a +wreath in honour of the god, and the pipers piped. So they busied +themselves, but the Thebans sent a herald asking leave to bury their +dead under cover of a truce. And so it came to pass that a truce was +made, and Agesilaus departed homewards, having chosen, in lieu of +supreme greatness in Asia, to rule, and to be ruled, in obedience to +the laws at home. + + (12) Reading, {tous ek ton polemion nekrous}, after Weiske. + +It was after this (13) that his attention was drawn to the men of +Argos. They had appropriated Corinth, and were reaping the fruits of +their fields at home. The war to them was a merry jest. Accordingly he +marched against them; and having ravaged their territory throughout, +he crossed over by the pass (14) down upon Corinth and captured the +long walls leading to Lechaeum. And so having thrown open the gates of +Peloponnese he returned home in time for the Hyacinthia, (15) where, in +the post assigned to him by the master of the chorus, he shared in the +performance of the paean in honour of the god. + + (13) B.C. 393. + + (14) {kata ta stena}. See "Hell." IV. iv. 19. {kata Tenean}, according + to Koppen's emendation. + + (15) See Grote, "H. G." v. 208; Herod. ix. 7; "Hell." IV. v. 10. + +Later on, it being brought to his notice that the Corinthians were +keeping all their cattle safely housed in the Peiraeum, sowing the +whole of that district, and gathering in their crops; and, which was a +matter of the greatest moment, that the Boeotians, with Creusis as +their base of operations, could pour their succours into Corinth by +this route--he marched against Peiraeum. Finding it strongly guarded, +he made as if the city of Corinth were about to capitulate, and +immediately after the morning meal shifted his ground and encamped +against the capital. Under cover of night there was a rush from +Peiraeum to protect the city, which he was well aware of, and with +break of day he turned right about and took Peiraeum, defenceless as +it lay, capturing all that it contained, with the various fortresses +within; and having so done retired homewards. + +After these exploits (16) the Achaeans were urgent for an alliance, and +begged him to join them in an expedition against Acarnania. In the +course of this the Acarnanians attacked him in a defile. Storming the +heights above his head with his light troops, (17) he gave them battle, +and slew many of them, and set up a trophy, nor stayed his hand until +he had united the Acarnanians, the Aetolians, and the Argives, (18) in +friendship with the Achaeans and alliance with himself. + + (16) B.C. 390-389? + + (17) See "Hell." IV. vi. 9-11, where it is expressly stated that the + action was won by the Spartan hoplites. See Hartman, "An. Xen." + (cap. xi. "De Agesilao libello"), p. 263, for other discrepancies + between the historian and the encomiast. + + (18) See perhaps "Hell." IV. iv. 19; vii. 2 foll. + +When the enemy, being desirous of peace, sent an embassy, it was +Agesilaus who spoke against the peace, (19) until he had forced the +states of Corinth and of Thebes to welcome back those of them who, for +Lacedaemon's sake, had suffered banishment. + + (19) I.e. "of Antalcidas, B.C. 387." See "Hell." V. i. 36; Grote, "H. + G." ix. 537 note. + +And still later, (20) again, he restored the exiles of the Phliasians, +who had suffered in the same cause, and with that object marched in +person against Phlius, a proceeding which, however liable to censure +on other grounds, showed unmistakable attachment to his party. (21) + + (20) B.C. 383 and 380; see "Hell." V. ii. 10; iii. 10. + + (21) See "Hell." V. iii. 16. + +Thus, when the adverse faction had put to death those of the +Lacedaemonians then in Thebes, he brought succour to his friends, and +marched upon Thebes. (22) Finding the entire country fenced with ditch +and palisading, he crossed Cynoscephalae (23) and ravaged the district +right up to the city itself, giving the Thebans an opportunity of +engaging him in the plain or upon the hills, as they preferred. And +once more, in the ensuing year, (24) he marched against Thebes, and now +surmounting these palisades and entrenchments at Scolus, (25) he +ravaged the remainder of Boeotia. + + (22) B.C. 378. + + (23) See "Hell." V. iv. 34 foll.; for the site see Breitenbach, ad + loc. + + (24) B.C. 377. + + (25) See "Hell." V. iv. 47. + +Hitherto fortune had smiled in common upon the king himself and upon +his city. And as for the disasters which presently befell, no one can +maintain that they were brought about under the leadership of +Agesilaus. But the day came when, after the disaster which had +occurred at Leuctra, the rival powers in conjunction with the +Mantineans fell to massacring his friends and adherents (26) in Tegea + (the confederacy between all the states of Boeotia, the Arcadians, and +the Eleians being already an accomplished fact). Thereupon, with the +forces of Lacedaemon alone, (27) he took the field, and thus belied the +current opinion that it would be a long while before the +Lacedaemonians ventured to leave their own territory again. Having +ravaged the country of those who had done his friends to death, he was +content, and returned home. + + (26) Or intimates. + + (27) B.C. 370. See "Hell."VI. v. 21. + +After this Lacedaemon was invaded by the united Arcadians, Argives, +Eleians, and Boeotians, who were assisted by the Phocians, both +sections of the Locrians, the Thessalians, Aenianians, Acarnanians, +and Euboeans; moreover, the slaves had revolted and several of the +provincial cities; (28) while of the Spartans themselves as many had +fallen on the field of Leuctra as survived. But in spite of all, he +safely guarded the city, and that too a city without walls and +bulwarks. Forbearing to engage in the open field, where the gain would +lie wholly with the enemy, he lay stoutly embattled on ground where +the citizens must reap advantage; since, as he doggedly persisted, to +march out meant to be surrounded on every side; whereas to stand at +bay where every defile gave a coign of vantage, would give him mastery +complete. (29) + + (28) Lit. "perioecid"; see Plut. "Ages." xxxii. (Clough, iv. 39); + "Hell." VI. v. 32. + + (29) Is this parallel to "Hell." VII. v. 10, or "Hell." VI. v. 28? + According to the historian, Agesilaus adopted similar tactics on + both occasions (in B.C. 369 and B.C. 362 alike). The encomiast + after his manner appears to treat them as one. Once and again his + hero "cunctando restituit rem," but it was by the same strategy. + +After the invading army had retired, no one will gainsay the sound +sense of his behaviour. Old age debarred him from active service on +foot or horse, and what the city chiefly needed now, he saw, was +money, if she looked to gain allies. To the task therefore of +providing that he set himself. Everything that could be done by +stopping at home he deftly turned his hand to; or when the call arose +and he could better help his country by departure he had no false +pride; he set off on foreign service, not as general, but as +ambassador. Yet on such embassy he achieved acts worthy of the +greatest general. Autophradates (30) was besieging Ariobarzanes, (31) +who was an ally of Sparta, in Assos; but before the face of Agesilaus +he fled in terror and was gone. Cotys, (32) besieging Sestos, which +still adhered to Ariobarzanes, broke up the siege and departed +crestfallen. Well might the ambassador have set up a trophy in +commemoration of the two bloodless victories. Once more, Mausolus (33) +was besieging both the above-named places with a squadron of one +hundred sail. He too, like, and yet unlike, the former two, yielded +not to terror but to persuasion, and withdrew his fleet. These, then, +were surely admirable achievements, since those who looked upon him as +a benefactor and those who fled from before him both alike made him +the richer by their gifts. + + (30) Satrap of Lydia. + + (31) Satrap of Propontis or Hellespontine Phrygia. + + (32) Satrap of Paphlagonia, king of Thrace. Iphicrates married his + daughter. See Grote, "H. G." x. 410. + + (33) Satrap of Caria. + +Tachos, (34) indeed, and Mausolus gave him a magnificent escort; and, +for the sake of his former friendship with Agesilaus, the latter +contributed also money for the state of Lacedaemon; and so they sped +him home. + + (34) King of Egypt. + +And now the weight of, may be, fourscore years was laid upon him, (35) +when it came under his observation that the king of Egypt, (36) with +his hosts of foot and horse and stores of wealth, had set his heart on +a war with Persia. Joyfully he learned that he himself was summoned by +King Tachos, and that the command-in-chief of all the forces was +promised to him. By this one venture he would achieve three objects, +which were to requite the Egyptian for the benefits conferred on +Lacedaemon; to liberate the Hellenes in Asia once again; and to +inflict on the Persian a just recompense, not only for the old +offences, but for this which was of to-day; seeing that, while +boasting alliance with Sparta, he had dictatorially enjoined the +emancipation of Messene. (37) But when the man who had summoned him +refused to confer the proffered generalship, Agesilaus, like one on +whom a flagrant deception has been practised, began to consider the +part he had to play. Meanwhile a separate division (38) of the Egyptian +armies held aloof from their king. Then, the disaffection spreading, +all the rest of his troops deserted him; whereat the monarch took +flight and retired in exile to Sidon in Phoenicia, leaving the +Egyptians, split in faction, to choose to themselves a pair of +kings. (39) Thereupon Agesilaus took his decision. If he helped +neither, it meant that neither would pay the service-money due to his +Hellenes, that neither would provide a market, and that, whichever of +the two conquered in the end, Sparta would be equally detested. But if +he threw in his lot with one of them, that one would in all likelihood +in return for the kindness prove a friend. Accordingly he chose +between the two that one who seemed to be the truer partisan of +Hellas, and with him marched against the enemy of Hellas and conquered +him in a battle, crushing him. His rival he helped to establish on the +throne, and having made him a friend to Lacedaemon, and having +acquired vast sums besides, he turned and set sail homewards, even in +mid-winter, hastening so that Sparta might not lie inactive, but +against the coming summer be alert to confront the foe. + + (35) Or, "But to pass on, he was already, may be, eighty years of age, + when it came under his observation...." + + (36) This same Tachos. + + (37) See "Hell." VII. i. 36; iv. 9. + + (38) I.e. "the army under Nectanebos." See Diod. xv. 92; Plut. "Ages." + xxxvii. (Clough, iv. 44 foll.) + + (39) I.e. "Nectanebos and a certain Mendesian." + + + + +III + +Such, then, is the chronicle of this man's achievements, or of such of +them as were wrought in the presence of a thousand witnesses. Being of +this sort they have no need of further testimony; the mere recital of +them is sufficient, and they at once win credence. But now I will +endeavour to reveal the excellence indwelling in his soul, the motive +power of his acts, in virtue of which he clung to all things +honourable and thrust aside all baseness. + +Agesilaus showed such reverence for things divine that even his +enemies regarded his oaths and solemn treaties as more to be relied on +than the tie of friendship amongst themselves. These same men, who +would shrink from too close intercourse with one another, delivered +themselves into the hands of Agesilaus without fear. And lest the +assertion should excite discredit, I may name some illustrious +examples. Such was Spithridates the Persian, who knew that +Pharnabazus, (1) whilst negotiating to marry the daughter of the great +king, was minded to seize his own daughter unwedded. Resenting such +brutality, Spithridates delivered up himself, his wife, his children, +and his whole power, into the hands of Agesilaus. Cotys (2) also, the +ruler of Paphlagonia, had refused to obey a summons from the king, +although he sent him the warrant of his right hand; (3) then fear came +upon him lest he should be seized, and either be heavily fined or die +the death; yet he too, simply trusting to an armistice, came to the +camp of Agesilaus and made alliance, and of his own accord chose to +take the field with Agesilaus, bringing a thousand horsemen and two +thousand targeteers. Lastly, Pharnabazus (4) himself came and held +colloquy with Agesilaus, and openly agreed that if he were not himself +appointed general-in-chief of the royal forces he would revolt from +the king. "Whereas, if I do become general," he added, "I mean to make +war upon you, Agesilaus, might and main," thus revealing his +confidence that, say what he might, nothing would befall him contrary +to the terms of truce. Of so intrinsic a value to all, and not least +to a general in the field, is the proud possession of an honest and +God-fearing character, known and recognised. Thus far, as touching the +quality of piety. + + (1) See "Hell." III. iv. 10; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 9). + + (2) See "Hell." IV. i. 3; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 13). + + (3) Diod. xvi. 34. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 37. + + + + +IV + +To speak next of his justice (1) in affairs of money. As to this, what +testimony can be more conclusive than the following? During the whole +of his career no charge of fraudulent dealing was ever lodged against +Agesilaus; against which set the many-voiced acknowledgment of +countless benefits received from him. A man who found pleasure in +giving away his own for the benefit of others was not the man to rob +another of his goods at the price of infamy. Had he suffered from this +thirst for riches it would have been easier to cling to what belonged +to him than to take that to which he had no just title. This man, who +was so careful to repay debts of gratitude, where (2) the law knows no +remedy against defaulters, was not likely to commit acts of robbery +which the law regards as criminal. And as a matter of act Agesilaus +judged it not only wrong to forgo repayment of a deed of kindness, +but, where the means were ample, wrong also not to repay such debts +with ample interest. + + (1) See Muller and Donaldson, "Hist. Gk. Lit." ii. 196, note 2. + + (2) Or, "a state of indebtedness beyond the reach of a tribunal." See + "Cyrop." I. ii. 7. + +The charge of embezzlement, could it be alleged, would no less outrage +all reason in the case of one who made over to his country the benefit +in full of grateful offerings owed solely to himself. Indeed the very +fact that, when he wished to help the city or his friends with money, +he might have done so by the aid of others, goes a long way to prove +his indifference to the lure of riches; since, had he been in the +habit of selling his favour, or of playing the part of benefactor for +pay, there had been no room for a sense of indebtedness. (3) It is only +the recipient of gratuitous kindness who is ever ready to minister to +his benefactor, both in return for the kindness itself and for the +confidence implied in his selection as the fitting guardian of a good +deed on deposit. (4) + + (3) Or, "no one would have felt to owe him anything." + + (4) See "Cyrop." VI. i. 35; Rutherford, "New Phrynichus," p. 312. + +Again, who more likely to put a gulf impassable between himself and +the sordid love of gain (5) than he, who nobly preferred to be stinted +of his dues (6) rather than snatch at the lion's share unjustly? It is +a case in point that, being pronounced by the state to be the rightful +heir to his brother's (7) wealth, he made over one half to his maternal +relatives because he saw that they were in need; and to the truth of +this assertion all Lacedaemon is witness. What, too, was his answer to +Tithraustes when the satrap offered him countless gifts if he would +but quit the country?"Tithraustes, with us it is deemed nobler for a +ruler to enrich his army than himself; it is expected of him to wrest +spoils from the enemy rather than take gifts." + + (5) Or, "base covetousness." + + (6) Or reading, {sun auto to gennaio} (with Breitenbach), "in + obedience to pure generosity." See "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 38. + + (7) I.e. Agis. See Plut. "Ages." iv. + + + + +V + +Or again, reviewing the divers pleasures which master human beings, I +defy any one to name a single one to which Agesilaus was enslaved: +Agesilaus, who regarded drunkenness as a thing to hold aloof from like +madness, and immoderate eating like the snare of indolence. Even the +double portion (1) allotted to him at the banquet was not spent on his +own appetite; rather would he make distribution of the whole, +retaining neither portion for himself. In his view of the matter this +doubling of the king's share was not for the sake of surfeiting, but +that the king might have the wherewithal to honour whom he wished. And +so, too, sleep (2) he treated not as a master, but as a slave, +subservient to higher concerns. The very couch he lay upon must be +sorrier than that of any of his company or he would have blushed for +shame, since in his opinion it was the duty of a leader to excel all +ordinary mortals in hardihood, not in effeminacy. Yet there were +things in which he was not ashamed to take the lion's share, as, for +example, the sun's heat in summer, or winter's cold. Did occasion ever +demand of his army moil and toil, he laboured beyond all others as a +thing of course, believing that such ensamples are a consolation to +the rank and file. Or, to put the patter compendiously, Agesilaus +exulted in hard work: indolence he utterly repudiated. + + (1) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 4. See J. J. Hartman, "An. Xen." 257. + + (2) See Hom. "Il." ii. 24, {ou khro pannukhion eudein boulephoron + andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a + counsellor."--W. Leaf. + +And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any +rate for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to +be put on record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which +excites no desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son +of Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate +soul may feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom +among the Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss, +Megabates endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much +show of battle, resisted--"No kiss might he accept." (3) I ask whether +such an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of +the man, and that of no vulgar order. (4) Megabates, who looked upon +himself as in some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not +to offend in like sort again. (5) Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one +who was his comrade to persuade Megabates again to honour him with his +regard; and the comrade, so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade +him, will you bestow on him a kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence, +but presently exclaimed: "No, by the Twins, not if I might this very +instant become the swiftest-footed, strongest, and handsomest of +men. (6) And as to that battle I swear by all the gods I would far +rather fight it over again than that everything on which I set my eyes +might turn to gold." (7) + + (3) See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.) + + (4) Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect," + "a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive." + + (5) Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses." + + (6) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been + a little man of a contemptible presence." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid. + "Met." xi. 102 foll. + +What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but +for myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their +enemeis than the foes we speak of. (8) Doubtless such incidents when +known to but few may well be discredited by many, but here we are in +the region of establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a +man is the less can his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no +eye-witness has ever reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he +invented it, would his tale have found credence, since it was not the +habit of the king, when abroad, to lodge apart in private houses. He +always lay up in some sacred place, where behaviour of the sort was +out of the question, or else in public, with the eyes of all men +liable to be called as witnesses to his sobriety. For myself, if I +make these statements falsely against the knowledge of Hellas, this +were not in any sense to praise my hero, but to dispraise myself. + + (8) Or, "than the seductions in question." + + + + +VI + +Nor, in my opinion, were those obscure proofs of courage and true +manliness which he furnished by his readiness ever to wage war against +the strongest enemies, whether of Sparta or of Hellas, placing himself +in the forefront of the contests decided on. If the enemy cared to +join issue in fair field he would not chance upon a victory won by +panic, but in stubborn battle, blow for blow, he mastered him; and set +up trophies worthy of the name, seeing that he left behind him +imperishable monuments of prowess, and bore away on his own body +indelible marks of the fury with which he fought; (1) so that, apart +from hearsay, by the evidence of men's eyes his valour stood approved. + + (1) Or, "visible signs of the spirit," etc. See Plut. "Ages." xxxvi. + +And amongst these we must not deem them trophies alone which he +actually set up, but reckon the many campaigns which he undertook, +since they were victories truly, even when the enemy refused to +encounter him, victories devoid of danger, yet fraught with even more +solid advantage to the state of Sparta and her fellow-combatants; just +as in our games we crown as victor him who walks over the field (2) no +less than him who conquers by dint of battle. + + (2) Or, "without striking a blow." Lit. "without the dust of the + arena, 'sine pulvere.'" See Thuc. iv. 73, {akoniti}. + +And to speak next of his wisdom, (3) I suppose there is not one of all +his doings but must illustrate it;--this man whose bearing towards his +fatherland was such that by dint of implicit obedience (he grew to so +greate a height of power), (4) whose zeal in the service of his +comrades won for him the unhesitating attachment of his friends, who +infused into the hearts of his soldiers a spirit, not of discipline +only, but of self-devotion to their chief. And yet surely that is the +strongest of all battle-lines (5) in which obedience creates tactical +efficiency, and alacrity in the field springs out of loyal affection +for the general. + + (3) Or, "his sagacity." + + (4) The words {pleiston iskhue} are supplied from Plutarch ("Ages." + iv.), who quotes the passage, "What Xenophon tells us of him, that + by complying with, and, as it were, ruled by his country, he grew + into such great power with them, that he could do what he pleased, + is meant," etc. (Clough, iv. p. 4). The lacuna in the MS. was + first noted, I believe, by Weiske. See Breitenbach's note ad loc. + + (5) See "Cyrop." VII. i. 30; "Econ." xxi. 7. + +Enemies he had to cope with, who had little excuse to disparage, +however much they might be compelled to hate their opponent, seeing +that he was for ever contriving to give his allies some advantage over +them--by sheer deception, if occasion offered; now anticipating them +if speed were requisite; now skulking in corners if concealment +served; in all points observing one rule of behaviour to his friends +and another towards his foes. By turning night into day and day into +night (6) he drew so close a veil of mystery over his movements that +frequently there was no saying where he was, or whither he would go, +or what he might do next. The fastnesses of the enemy he transformed +into so many weaknesses, (7) passing this one by, and scaling that, and +stealing like a thief into a third. + + (6) See "Hell." VI. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." v. 7; "Cyrop." I. v. 12. + + (7) Or, "the strongholds of the enemy might to all intents and + purposes have been open places." + +When he was on the march, and was well aware that an enemy might, if +he chose, deliver battle, his habit was to lead his troops in compact +battle order ready to confront emergencies, with soft, slow step, +advancing, as it were, with maidenly demureness, (8) for in such +procedure, as he believed, lay the secret of true calm, engendering a +dauntless self-assurance, imperturbable, unerring, impervious to +treacherous assault. Therefore by such behaviour he was a terror to +the enemy, whilst he infused courage and strength in the hearts of his +friends, so that throughout his life he continued to be a man whom his +foes dared not despise, whom his fellow-citizens cared not to arraign, +within the circle of his friends held blameless, the idol and +admiration of the outer world. (9) + + (8) See above, ii. 3; "Pol. Lac." iii. 5. + + (9) Cf. Tacitus's phrase concerning Titus, "deliciae humani generis." + + + + + +VII + +To describe his patriotism (1) point by point in detail were a tedious +story, since, as I suppose, there is not one of his several +achievements but must finally resolve itself into that. For, to put it +briefly, we all know well that where Agesilaus expected in any way to +benefit his country there was no toil he shrank from, no danger he +avoided, no money he stinted, no excuse whether of age or body he +admitted, but deemed it ever the true function of a good king (2) to +shower blessings to the utmost on the subjects of his rule. + + (1) Lit. "love for his own city." + + (2) Or, "regarded it as the cardinal virtue of a real prince." See + "Mem." III. ii. 3. + +And for my part I hold it as chief among the magnificent benefits so +conferred by him upon his country that, being the most powerful member +of the state, he made no secret of his absolute submission to the +laws, (3) since what lesser man, seeing the king's obedience, would +take (4) on himself to disobey? Who, in discontentment at his own poor +lot, would venture on revolution, knowing that the king himself could +condescend to constitutional control? And that, too, a king who bore +himself towards political opponents with a paternal mildness. (5) If he +rebuked them sharply for their misdemeanours, he none the less +honoured their high endeavours, and proved himself a present help to +them in time of trouble. (6) No citizen could be his personal foe; of +that he was assured. His desire was to commend them one and all alike, +counting the common salvation of all a gain, and reckoning it as a +loss if even a mean man perished. For thus he reasoned, nor made a +secret of the conclusion he had come to: so long as her citizens +continued tranquilly adherent to the laws the happiness of Sparta was +secure. (7) And for the rest Sparta would once again be strong on that +day when the states of Hellas should learn wisdom. + + (3) Or, "he was at the same time the most obvious in his allegiance to + the laws." + + (4) Lit. "would have taken on himself... would have ventured on + revolution." + + (5) Lit. "as a father to his children." + + (6) Or, "and was ready to stand by their side in time of trouble." + + (7) Or, "For this was the clear tenor of his thought, that by tranquil + continuance within the laws the citizens of Sparta might secure + her happiness. And as to power, Sparta, etc." See "Mem." II. vi. + 27. + +And if, by admission, it is noble for every Hellene to be a lover of +his fellow-Hellenes, yet we must fare far afield to find another +instance of a general who, expecting to sack some city, would have +refused to seize the prize; or who regarded victory in a war waged +against fellow-Hellenes as a species of calamity. Yet this man when a +message was brought him concerning the battle at Corinth, (8) in which +but eight Lacedaemonians had fallen, but of their opponents ten +thousand nearly, showed no sign of exultation, but sighed, saying, +"Alas for Hellas! since those who now lie in their graves, were able, +had they lived, to conquer the hosts of Asia." (9) Again, when some +Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was ripe for surrender, +and showed him the engines by which they were confident they would +take the walls, he refused to make the assault, saying that Hellene +cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought back to a +better mind, (10) and added, "For if we lop off our offending members, +haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the barbarians." + + (8) B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G." + ix. 429. + + (9) Lit. "all the barbarians." + + (10) See "Econ." i. 23. + +Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out +on a campaign to enslave Hellas; the Persian, who to-day makes +alliance with these (no matter to him which the party, provided it +will help him to work the greater mischief (11)); or gives presents to +those (who will take them and do the greatest harm to his foes the +Hellenes); or else concocts a peace that shall presently involve us in +internecine war, as he anticipates:--but why dwell on facts so patent? +--I ask, did ever Hellene before Agesilaus so enter heart and soul +upon his duty; whether it were to help some tribe to throw off the +Persian yoke, or to save from destruction a revolted district, or if +nothing else, at any rate to saddle the Persian with such troubles of +his own that he should cease to trouble Hellas? An ardent hater of +Persia surely was he, who, when his own country was at war with +Hellenes, did not neglect the common good of Hellas, but set sail to +wreak what harm he might upon the barbarians. (12) + + (11) Or, "the worse the mischief he can work, the better the side." + + (12) See Isocr. "Ep." ix. "To Archidamus," S. 11-14. + + + + +VIII + +To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims +more than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was +vouchsafed and power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his +hands the sceptre of sovereignty--a kingship not plotted against, but +respected and beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen +in him, but of tender affection and courteous service to his friends +proof in abundance without seeking. Witness the zest with which he +shared in the round of lovers' talk; (1) the zeal with which he threw +himself into the serious concerns (2) of friends. By dint of a hopeful +and cheery disposition and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to +his side a throng of visitors, who came, not simply for the +transaction of some private interest, but rather to pass away the day +in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to use high-swelling +words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises, +which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at least of high +endeavour (3) in the future. + + (1) See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut. + "Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx. + + (2) Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of + his friends." + + (3) Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood." + +But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season +must not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king + (I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company +with Calleas (4) of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and +friendship with the Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it, +telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer: "He need not +be at pains to send him letters in private, but if he could prove +himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well-wisher of Hellas he should +have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship," but added, "if +your king be detected plotting, let him not think to find a friend in +me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." For my part, then, I +hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with pleasing his +fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, too, among +his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to self-congratulation +belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many legions, but to him +rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the allegiance of +better followers. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H. + G." x. 402. + +And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. +Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted +from the king the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself +to be seduced, either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power, to +be drawn into bonds of friendship with the king, but took precaution +rather not to abuse their confidence who were willing to revolt. + +And lastly, as beyond all controversy admirable, note this contrast: +First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches +he had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept +into his coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, +and him alone, the costliest and most precious things of earth. And +then this other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to +be totally independent of every adventitious aid. (5) And if any one +doubts the statement, let him look and see with what manner of +dwelling-place he was contented; let him view the palace doors: these +are the selfsame doors, he might well imagine, which Aristodemus, (6) +the great-great-grandson of Heracles, took and set up in the days of +the return. Let him endeavour to view the furniture inside; there he +will perceive how the king feasted on high holy days; and he will hear +how the king's own daughter was wont to drive to Amyclae in a public +basket-carriage. (7) Thus it was that by the adjustment of expenditure +to income he was never driven to the commission of any unjust deed for +money's sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold a fortress +impregnable to attack, I count it a greater glory that a man should +hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of +riches, pleasures, fears. + + (5) Or, "of all such external needs." + + (6) See Herod. vi. 52. + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words {e thugater + autou} were supplied from this passage by Casaubon. + + + + +IX + +I will here state to what extent the style of living which he +presented stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner +of the Persian. (1) In the first place, if the latter made a solemn +affectation of being but seldom seen, Agesilaus delighted to live in +the eye of day, believing that seclusion might accord well enough as a +screen for shameless conduct, but to a life of nobleness and beauty (2) +heaven's light added new ornament. (3) And next, if the one prided +himself on being unapproachable, the other rejoiced in being +accessible to all the world; the one, with his airs and graces, was +pleased to transact business slowly, the other was never so happy as +when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner without waste of +time. (4) + + (1) Or, "how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false + pretences of the Persian." For {alazoneia} see "Mem." I. vii. 1; + Aristot. "N. E." iv. 7; Theophr. "Char." vi. + + (2) Lit. "a life striving towards beauteousness." + + (3) Or, "added but greater lustre." + + (4) Lit. "could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay." + +Again, it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to +satisfy was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at. (5) For +the Persian, men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage +which he will care to drink; he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to +supply the kick-shaws he will deign to eat; and to procure him the +blessing of sleep no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must +be taken. But Agesilaus was a lover of toil, and therefore not so +dainty; the meanest beverage was sweet to his lips, and pleasant +enough to his taste was the chance fare of the moment; and for the +purpose of refreshing slumber every place alike conducive. It was not +merely that to fare thus gave him pure pleasure, but in the sense of +contrast lay a double satisfaction. Here was he roaming earth freely +in the midst of a world of delight, (6) and there lay the Persian, +under his eyes, who to escape a life of pain must drag together from +the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for his +pleasure. It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to +confront the appointed order of the universe (7) without pain; while +through weakness of soul his rival, it was plain to see, was driven to +flee away from heat and cold, and to shape his life, not by the +pattern of brave men, but of some mean and defenceless animal. (8) + + (5) See Herod. i. 135, for the luxury of the Persians and for the + refinements of civilisation. See "Mem." II. i. 10; "Cyrop." VIII. + i. 40. + + (6) Or, "in a round of festivity." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xiv. (Clough, iv. p. 17); "Apophth. Lac." p. + 102; Eur. "Supp." 214, 215. + + {de ou truphomen, theou kataskeuen bio + dontos toiauten, oisin ouk arkei tade}; + + (8) Or, "the most defenceless of God's creatures." Lit. "the weakest + of animals." + +And what a fine trait this was in him, and betokening how lofty a +sentiment, that, being content to adorn his own house with works and +possessions suited to a man, and being devoted to the breeding of dogs +and horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare, he persuaded +his sister Cynisca to rear chariot horses, (9) and thus by her +victory (10) showed that to keep a stud of that sort, however much it +might be a mark of wealth, was hardly a proof of manly virtue. And +surely in the following opinion we may discern plainly the generosity +of him who entertained it. To win victories over private persons in a +chariot race does not add one tittle to a man's renown. He, rather, +who holds his city dear beyond all things else, who has himself sunk +deep into the heart of her affections, who has obtained to himself all +over the world a host of friends and those the noblest, who can outdo +his country and comrades alike in the race of kindliness, and his +antagonists in vengeance--such a man may, in a true sense, be said to +bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble and magnificent; +living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame. + + (9) I.e. "for the games." + + (10) I.e. "at Olympia." Cynisca, according to Pausanias (iii. 8), was + the first woman who won a prize at Olympia. See also Plut. "Ages." + xx. (Clough, iv. p. 23). + + + + +X + +It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus. +And in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure +and thereby becomes wealthier, albeit none the more skilful in +economy; nor yet like him who, when a plague has fallen upon an enemy, +wrests a victory, whereby he may add to his reputation for success, +but not for strategy. Rather was his example that of one who in each +emergency will take the lead; at a crisis where toil is needful, by +endurance; or in the battle-lists of bravery by prowess; or when the +function of the counsellor is uppermost, by the soundness of his +judgment. Of such a man I say, he has obtained by warrant indefeasible +the title peerless. + +And if, as a means towards good workmanship, we count among the noble +inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet, (1) no less happily +shall we, who desire to attain a manly excellence, find in the virtue +of Agesilaus a pattern and example. He was God-fearing, he was just in +all his dealings, sound of soul and self-controlled. How then shall we +who imitate him become his opposite, unholy, unjust, tyrannical, +licentious? And, truth to say, this man prided himself, not so much on +being a king over others as on ruling himself, (2) not so much on +leading his citizens to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace +all virtue. + + (1) See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. + + (2) See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. + +Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished +life, that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral +hymn. (3) Far rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the +first place it is only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale +familiar to his ears when living. And in the next place, what is more +remote from dirge and lamentation than a life of glory crowned by +seasonable death? What more deserving of song and eulogy than +resplendent victories and deeds of highest note? Surely if one man +rather than another may be accounted truly blest, it is he who, from +his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and beyond all contemporary +names won what he desired; who, being gifted with a nature most +emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king unconquered; +who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without +offence (4) committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he +marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. + + (3) See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. + + (4) As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. + ad x. 4 of his edition. + + + + +XI + +It only remains for me, under the form of headings, (1) to review the +topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may +cling to the memory more lastingly. + + (1) Or, as others think, "in a summary." + +Agesilaus reverenced the shrines and sacred places even of the enemy. +We ought, he said, to make the gods our allies on hostile no less than +on friendly soil. + +He would do no violence to a suppliant, no, not even if he were his +own foe; since how irrational must it be to stigmatise robbers of +temples as sacrilegious and yet to regard him who tears the suppliant +from the altar as a pious person. + +One tenet he never wearied of repeating: the gods, he said, are not +less pleased with holy deeds than with pure victims. + +In the day of his prosperity his thoughts were not raised higher than +befits a man; he gave thanks to the gods; and offered more victims +when he had nothing to fear than he registered vows in time of +apprehension. + +He was accustomed in the midst of anxiety to wear an aspect of gaiety, +but, when the victory was won, of gentleness. + +Amongst friends his warmest greeting was reserved, not for the most +powerful, but for the most ardent; and if he hated, it was not him +who, being evil entreated, retaliated, but one who, having had +kindness done to him, seemed incapable of gratitude. + +He rejoiced when sordid greed was rewarded with poverty; and still +more if he might himself enrich a righteous man, since his wish was to +render uprightness more profitable than iniquity. + +He made it a practice to associate with all kinds of people, but to be +intimate only with the best. + +As he listened to the praise of this man, or the censure of another, +he felt that he learnt quite as much about the character of the +speakers themselves as of those whom they discussed. + +To be cheated by a friend was scarcely censurable, but he could find +no condemnation strong enough for him who was outwitted by a foe. Or +again, to dupe the incredulous might argue wit, but to take in the +unsuspecting was veritably a crime. + +The praise of a critic who had courage to point out his defects +pleased him; and plainness of speech excited in him no hostility. It +was against the cunning rather of the secretive person that he guarded +himself, as against a hidden snare. + +The calumniator he detested more than the robber or the thief, in +proportion as the loss of friends is greater than the loss of +money. (2) + + (2) Mr. R. W. Taylor aptly quotes "Othello," III. iii. 157-- + + "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; + 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; + But he that filches from me my good name + Robs me of that which not enriches him + And makes me poor indeed." + + +The errors of private persons he bore with gently, but those of rulers +he looked upon as grave; since the mischief wrought in the one case +was so small, and so large in the other. The proper attribute of +royalty was, he maintained, not an avoidance of responsibility, but a +constant striving after nobleness. (3) + + (3) On the word {kalokagathia} so translated, see Demosth. 777, 5. + +Whilst he would not suffer any image (4) of his bodily form to be set +up (though many wished to present him with a statue), he never ceased +elaborating what should prove the monument of his spirit, holding that +the former is the business of a statuary, the latter of one's self. +Wealth might procure the one, he said, but only a good man could +produce the other. + + (4) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2); also Plut. "Ap. Lac." p. + 115; ib. p. 103; Cic. "ad Div." V. xii. 7. + +As for riches, he employed them not with justice merely, but with +liberality, holding that for a just man it is sufficient if he let +alone the things of others, but of a liberal man it is required that +he should take of his own and give to supply another's needs. + +He was ever subject to religious fear, (5) believing that no man during +his lifetime, however well he lives, can be counted happy; it is only +he who has ended his days with glory of whom it can be said that he +has attained at last to blessedness. (6) + + (5) See "Cyr." III. iii. 58, and for the word {deisidaimon}, see Jebb, + "Theophr. Char." p. 263 foll.; Mr. Ruskin, Preface to "Bibl. + Past." vol. i. p. xxv. + + (6) See Herod. i. 34; Soph. "Oed. Tyr." 1529; and Prof. Jebb's note ad + loc. + +In his judgment it was a greater misfortune to neglect things good and +virtuous, knowing them to be so, than in ignorance. Nor was he +enamoured of any reputation, the essentials of which he had not +laboriously achieved. (7) + + (7) Or, "for which he did not qualify himself by the appropriate + labour." + +He was one of the small band, as it seemed to me, who regard virtue, +not as a thing to be patiently endured, (8) but as a supreme enjoyment. +At any rate, to win the praise of mankind gave him a deeper pleasure +than the acquisition of wealth; and he preferred to display courage +far rather in conjunction with prudence than with unnecessary risks, +and to cultivate wisdom in action more than by verbal discussion. + + (8) Or, "as a system of stoical endurance," "a kind of stoicism." But + we must not let Xenophon, who is a Socratic, talk of the Stoa. If + we knew certainly that the chapter was a much later production, + the language would be appropriate enough. + +Very gentle to his friends, to his enemies he was most terrible. +Whilst he could hold out against toil and trouble with the best, +nothing pleased him better than yielding to his comrades. But passion +was kindled in him by beauty of deed rather than of person. (9) + + (9) Or, "beauteous deeds rather than bodily splendour." + +Skilled in the exercise of self-command in the midst of external +welfare, he could be stout of heart enough in stress of danger. + +Urbanity he practised, not with jest and witticism, but by the +courtesy of his demeanour. + +In spite of a certain haughtiness, he was never overbearing, but rich +in saving common sense. At any rate, while pouring contempt upon +arrogance, he bore himself more humbly than the most ordinary man. In +fact, what he truly took a pride in was the simplicity of his own +attire, in contrast with the splendid adornment of his troops; or, +again, in the paucity of his own wants, combined with a bountiful +liberality towards his friends. + +Besides all this, as an antagonist he could hit hard enough, but no +one ever bore a lighter hand when the victory was won. (10) + + (10) Lit. "he was the heaviest of antagonists and the lightest of + conquerors." + +The same man, whom an enemy would have found it hard to deceive, was +pliability itself in the concerns of his friends. Whilst for ever +occupied in laying these on a secure foundation, he made it a +ceaseless task to baffle the projects of the national foe. + +The epithets applied to him are significant. His relatives found in +him a kinsman who was more than kind. To his intimates he appeared as +a friend in need who is a friend indeed. To the man who had done him +some service, of tenacious memory. To the victim of injustice, a +knight-errant. And to those who had incurred danger by his side, a +saviour second only to the gods. + +It was given to this man, as it appears to me, to prove exceptionally +that though strength of body may wax old the vigour of a man's soul is +exempt from eld. Of him, at any rate, it is true that he never shrank +from the pursuit of great and noble objects, so long as (11) his body +was able to support the vigour of his soul. Therefore his old age +appeared mightier than the youth of other people. It would be hard to +discover, I imagine, any one who in the prime of manhood was as +formidable to his foes as Agesilaus when he had reached the limit of +mortal life. Never, I suppose, was there a foeman whose removal came +with a greater sense of relief to the enemy than that of Agesilaus, +though a veteran when he died. Never was there a leader who inspired +stouter courage in the hearts of fellow-combatants than this man with +one foot planted in the grave. Never was a young man snatched from a +circle of loving friends with tenderer regret than this old graybeard. + + (11) Reading, {megalon kai kalon ephiemenos, eos kai to soma, k.t.l.} + See Breitenbach. + +The benefactor of his fatherland, absolutely to the very end; with +bounteous hand, even in the arms of death, dealing out largesse (12) to +the city which he loved. And so they bore him home to his eternal +resting-place; (13) this hero, who, having raised to himself many a +monument of his valour over the broad earth, came back to find in the +land of his fathers a sepulture worthy of a king. (14) + + (12) See above, ii. 31. + + (13) See for this remarkable phrase, Diod. i. 51. + + (14) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 9. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Agesilaus, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1169 *** diff --git a/1169-h/1169-h.htm b/1169-h/1169-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2c4689 --- /dev/null +++ b/1169-h/1169-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1901 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Agesilaus, by Xenophon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1169 ***</div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + AGESILAUS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Xenophon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by H. G. Dakyns + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Dedicated To + Rev. B. Jowett, M.A. + Master of Balliol College + Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford + </pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Agesilaus summarises the life of his Spartan + friend and king, whom he met after the events of + the Anabasis. + </pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PREPARER'S NOTE </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>AGESILAUS</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <big><b>An Encomium</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XI </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREPARER'S NOTE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + AGESILAUS + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + An Encomium + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The date of Agesilaus's death is uncertain—360 B.C. (Grote, + "H. G." ix. 336); 358 B.C. (Curt. iv. 196, Eng. tr.) +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <p> + To write the praises of Agesilaus in language equalling his virtue and + renown is, I know, no easy task; yet must it be essayed; since it were but + an ill requital of pre-eminence, that, on the ground of his perfection, a + good man should forfeit the tribute even of imperfect praise. + </p> + <p> + As touching, therefore, the excellency of his birth, what weightier, what + nobler testimony can be adduced than this one fact? To the commemorative + list of famous ancestry is added to-day the name (1) Agesilaus as holding + this or that numerical descent from Heracles, and these ancestors no + private persons, but kings sprung from the loins of kings. Nor is it open + to the gainsayer to contend that they were kings indeed but of some chance + city. Not so, but even as their family holds highest honour in their + fatherland, so too is their city the most glorious in Hellas, whereby they + hold, not primacy over the second best, but among leaders they have + leadership. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "even to-day, in the proud bead-roll of his ancestry he stands + commemorated, in numerical descent from Heracles." +</pre> + <p> + And herein it is open to us to praise both his fatherland and his family. + It is notable that never throughout these ages has Lacedaemon, out of envy + of the privilege accorded to her kings, tried to dissolve their rule; nor + ever yet throughout these ages have her kings strained after greater + powers than those which limited their heritage of kingship from the first. + Wherefore, while all other forms of government, democracies and + oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies, alike have failed to maintain their + continuity unbroken, here, as the sole exception, endures indissolubly + their kingship. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) See "Cyrop." I. i. 1. +</pre> + <p> + And next in token of an aptitude for kingship seen in Agesilaus, before + even he entered upon office, I note these signs. On the death of Agis, + king of Lacedaemon, there were rival claimants to the throne. Leotychides + claimed the succession as being the son of Agis, and Agesilaus as the son + of Archidamus. But the verdict of Lacedaemon favoured Agesilaus as being + in point of family and virtue unimpeachable, (3) and so they set him on + the throne. And yet, in this princeliest of cities so to be selected by + the noblest citizens as worthy of highest privilege, argues, methinks + conclusively, an excellence forerunning exercise of rule. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) For this matter see "Hell." III. iii. 1-6; V. iv. 13; Plut. + "Ages." iii. 3 (Cloigh, iv. 3 foll.); Paus. iii. 3. + + (4) See Aristides ("Rhet." 776), who quotes the passage for its + measured cadence. +</pre> + <p> + And so I pass on at once to narrate the chief achievements of his reign, + since by the light of deeds the character of him who wrought them will, if + I mistake not, best shine forth. + </p> + <p> + Agesilaus was still a youth (5) when he obtained the kingdom, and he was + still but a novice in his office when the news came that the king of + Persia was collecting a mighty armament by sea and land for the invasion + of Hellas. The Lacedaemonians and their allies sat debating these matters, + when Agesilaus undertook to cross over into Asia. He only asked for thirty + Spartans and two thousand New Citizens, (6) besides a contingent of the + allies six thousand strong; with these he would cross over into Asia and + endeavour to effect a peace; or, if the barbarian preferred war, he would + leave him little leisure to invade Hellas. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) B.C. 399; according to Plut. ("Ages." ad fin.) he was forty-three, + and therefore still "not old." See "Hell." III. iv. 1 for the + startling news, B.C. 396. + + (6) For the class of Neodamodes, see Arnold's note to Thuc. v. 34 + (Jowett, "Thuc." ii. 307); also Thuc. vii. 58; "Hell." I. iii. 15. +</pre> + <p> + The proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm on the part of many. They could + not but admire the eagerness of their king to retaliate upon the Persian + for his former invasions of Hellas by counter-invasion on his own soil. + They liked the preference also which he showed for attacking rather than + awaiting his enemy's attack, and his intention to carry on the war at the + expense of Persia rather than that of Hellas; but it was the perfection of + policy, they felt, so to change the arena of battle, with Asia as the + prize of victory instead of Hellas. If we pass on to the moment when he + had received his army and set sail, I can conceive no clearer exposition + of his generalship than the bare narration of his exploits. + </p> + <p> + The scene is Asia, and this his first achievement. Tissaphernes had sworn + an oath to Agesilaus on this wise: if Agesilaus would grant him an + armistice until the return of certain ambassadors whom he would send to + the king, he (Tissaphernes) would do his utmost to procure the + independence of the Hellenic cities in Asia. And Agesilaus took a counter + oath: without fraud or covin to observe the armistice during the three + months (7) necessary to that transaction. But the compact was scarcely + made when Tissaphernes gave the lie to the solemn undertaking he had sworn + to. So far from effecting peace, he begged the King to send him a large + armament in addition to that which he already had. As to Agesilaus, though + he was well aware of these proceedings, he adhered loyally to the + armistice. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) See Grote, "H. G." x. 359; "Hell." III. iv. 5. +</pre> + <p> + And for myself, I look upon this as the first glorious achievement of the + Spartan. By displaying the perjury of Tissaphernes he robbed him of his + credit with all the world; by the exhibition of himself in contrast as a + man who ratified his oath and would not gainsay an article of his + agreement, he gave all men, Hellenes and barbarians alike, encouragement + to make covenant with him to the full extent of his desire. + </p> + <p> + When Tissaphernes, priding himself on the strength of that army which had + come down to aid him, bade Agesilaus to be gone from Asia or to prepare + for war, (8) deep was the vexation depicted on the faces of the + Lacedaemonians there present and their allies, as they realised that the + scanty force of Agesilaus was all too small to cope with the armaments of + Persia. But the brow of their general was lit with joy as gaily he bade + the ambassadors take back this answer to Tissaphernes: "I hold myself + indebted to your master for the perjury whereby he has obtained to himself + the hostility of heaven, and made the gods themselves allies of Hellas." + And so without further pause he published a general order to his soldiers + to pack their baggage and prepare for active service; and to the several + cities which lay on the line of march to Caria, the order sped to have + their markets in readiness; while to the men of Ionia and the Aeolid and + the Hellespont he sent despatches bidding them send their contingents to + Ephesus to join in the campaign. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Lit. "When Tissaphernes, priding himself... bade Agesilaus be + gone... deep was the annoyance felt." +</pre> + <p> + Tissaphernes meanwhile was influenced by the fact that Agesilaus had no + cavalry, and that Caria was a hilly district unsuited for that arm. + Moreover, as he further bethought him, Agesilaus must needs be wroth with + him for his deceit. What could be clearer, therefore, than that he was + about to make a dash at the satrap's home in Caria? Accordingly he + transported the whole of his infantry into Caria and marched his cavalry + round the while into the plain of the Maeander, persuaded that he would + trample the Hellenes under the hoofs of his horses long before they + reached the district where no cavalry could operate. + </p> + <p> + But Agesilaus, instead of advancing upon Caria, turned right about and + marched in the direction of Phrygia. Picking up the various forces that + met him on his progress, he passed onwards, laying city after city at his + feet, and by the suddenness of his incursion capturing enormous wealth. + </p> + <p> + Here was an achievement which showed the genius of a general, as all + agreed. When once war as declared, and the arts of circumvention and + deceit were thereby justified, he had proved Tissaphernes to be a very + bade in subtlety; (9) and with what sagacity again did he turn the + circumstances to account for the enrichment of his friends. Owing to the + quantity of wealth captured, precious things were selling for a mere song. + Thereupon he gave his friends warning to make their purchases, adding that + he should at once march down to the sea-coast at the head of his troops. + The quartermasters meanwhile received orders to make a note of the + purchasers with the prices of the articles, and to consign the goods. The + result was that, without prior disbursement on their part, or detriment to + the public treasury, his friends reaped an enormous harvest. Moreover, + when deserters came with offers to disclose hidden treasures, and + naturally enough laid their proposal before the king himself, he took care + to have the capture of these treasures effected by his friends, which + would enable them to do a stroke of business, and at the same time redound + to their prestige. For this reason he was not long in discovering many an + eager aspirant to his friendship. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) See below, xi. 4; "Mem." III. i. 6; IV. ii. 15; "Cyrop." I. vi. + 31; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 10). +</pre> + <p> + But a country pillaged and denuded of inhabitants would not long support + an army. That he felt. A more perennial source of supply was surely to be + found in waving cornfields and thickly clustering homesteads. So with + infinite pains he set himself not merely to crush his foes by force, but + also to win them to his side by gentleness. In this spirit he often + enjoined upon his soldiers to guard their captives as fellow-men rather + than take vengeance upon them as evildoers; (10) or, on a change of + quarters, if aware of little children left behind by the dealers (since + the men often sold them in the belief that it would be impossible to carry + them away and rear them), he would show concern in behalf of these poor + waifs and have them conveyed to some place of safety; or he would entrust + them to the care of fellow-prisoners also left behind on account of old + age; in no case must they be left to ravening dogs and wolves. In this way + he won the goodwill not only of those who heard tell of these doings but + of the prisoners themselves. And whenever he brought over a city to his + side, he set the citizens free from the harsher service of a bondsman to + his lord, imposing the gentler obedience of a freeman to his ruler. + Indeed, there were fortresses impregnable to assault which he brought + under his power by the subtler force of human kindness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) See Grote, vol. ix. p. 365 foll. +</pre> + <p> + But when, in Phrygia even, the freedom of his march along the flats was + hampered by the cavalry of Pharnabazus, he saw that if he wished to avoid + a skulking warfare under cover, a force of cavalry was indispensable. + Accordingly he enlisted the wealthiest members of every city in those + parts to breed and furnish horses; with this saving clause, however: that + the individual who furnished a horse and arms with a good rider should be + exempt from service himself. By this means he engendered an eagerness to + discharge the obligation, not unlike that of the condemned man, casting + about to discover some one to die in his place. (11) He further ordered + some of the states themselves to furnish contingents of mounted troopers, + and this in the conviction that from such training-centres he would + presently get a pick of cavaliers proud of their horsemanship. And thus + once more he won golden opinions by the skill with which he provided + himself with a body of cavalry in the plenitude of strength and ripe for + active service. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Instead of the plain {zetoie} of the parallel passage ("Hell." + III. iv. 15) the encomiast prefers the poetical {masteuoi}. +</pre> + <p> + On the approach of early spring (12) he collected his whole armament at + Ephesus, and set himself to the work of training it. With that object he + proposed a series of prizes: one set for the cavalry squadron which rode + best, another for the heavy infantry divisions which presented the best + physique, another again for various light troops, peltasts, and bowmen, + which showed themselves most efficient in their respective duties. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) B.C. 395; see "Hell." III. iv. 16; Plut. "Marcel." (Clough, ii. + 262); Polyb. xii. 20, 7. +</pre> + <p> + Thereupon it was a sight to see the gymnasiums thronged with warriors + going through their exercises, the racecourses crowded with troopers on + prancing steeds, the archers and the javelin men shooting at the butts. + Nay, the whole city in which he lay was transformed into a spectacle + itself, so filled to overflowing was the market-place with arms and armour + of every sort, and horses, all for sale. Here were coppersmiths and + carpenters, ironfounders and cobblers, painters and decorators—one + and all busily engaged in fabricating the implements of war; so that an + onlooker might have thought the city of Ephesus itself a gigantic arsenal. + It would have kindled courage in the breast of a coward to see the long + lines of soldiers, with Agesilaus at their head, all garlanded as they + marched in proud procession from the gymnasiums and dedicated their + wreaths to our Lady Artemis. Since, where these three elements exist—reverence + towards heaven, practice in military affairs, and obedience to command—all + else must needs be full of happy promise. + </p> + <p> + But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain + strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the + barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The + soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for toil, + soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only stir abroad + in carriages, concluded that a war with women would scarcely be more + formidable. Then he published a further order to the soldiers: "I shall + lead you at once by the shortest route to the stronghold (13) of the + enemy's territory. Your general asks you to keep yourselves on the alert + in mind and body, as men about to enter the lists of battle on the + instant." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Or, "the richest parts of the country," viz. Lydia; Plut. "Ages." + x. +</pre> + <p> + But Tissaphernes was persuaded that this was all talk on his part for the + purpose of outwitting him a second time: now certainly Agesilaus would + make an incursion into Caria. So once again the satrap transported his + infantry over into that country just has he had done before, and as before + he posted his cavalry in the plain of the Maeander. + </p> + <p> + This time, however, Agesilaus was true to his word. In accordance with his + published order he advanced straight upon the region of Sardis, and, + during a three days' march through a country where not an enemy was to be + seen, provided his army with abundant supplies. On the fourth day the + enemy's cavalry came up. The Persian general ordered the commandant of his + baggage train to cross the Pactolus and encamp, whilst his troopers, who + had caught sight of the camp followers of the Hellenes scattered in search + of booty, put many of them to the sword. Agesilaus, aware how matters were + going, ordered his cavalry to the rescue, and the Persians on their side, + seeing the enemy's supports approaching, collected and formed up in line + to receive them with the serried squadrons of their cavalry. And now + Agesilaus, conscious that his enemy's infantry had not as yet arrived, + whilst on his side no element in his preparation was lacking, felt that + the moment was come to join battle if he could. Accordingly he sacrificed + and advanced against the opposing lines of cavalry. A detachment of heavy + infantry, the ten-years-service men, had orders to close with them at the + run, while the light infantry division were told to show them the way at a + swinging pace. At the same time he passed the order along the line of his + cavalry to charge in reliance of the support of himself and the main body + in their rear. Charge they did, these troopers, and the pick of Persian + cavalry received them bravely, but in face of the conjoint horror of the + attack they swerved, and some were cut down at once in the river-bed, + while others sought safety in flight. The Hellenes followed close on the + heels of the flying foe, and captured his camp. Here the peltasts, not + unnaturally, fell to pillaging, whereupon Agesilaus formed a cordon of + troops, round the property of friends and foes alike, and so encamped. + </p> + <p> + Presently hearing that the enemy were in a state of disorder, the result + of every one holding his fellow responsible for what had happened, he + advanced without further stay on Sardis. Having arrived, he fell to + burning and ravaging the suburbs, while at the same time he did not fail + to make it known by proclamation that those who asked for freedom should + join his standard; or if there were any who claimed a right of property in + Asia he challenged them to come out and meet her liberators in fair fight + and let the sword decide between them. Finding that no one ventured to + come out to meet him, his march became for the future a peaceful progress. + All around him he beheld Hellenes who formerly were forced to bow the knee + to brutal governors now honoured by their former tyrants, while those who + had claimed to enjoy divine honours were so humbled by him that they + scarce dared to look a Hellene in the face. Everywhere he saved the + territory of his friends from devastation, and reaped the fruits of the + enemy's soil to such good effect that within two years he was able to + dedicate as a tithe to the god at Delphi more than one hundred talents. + (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) = 25,000 pounds nearly. +</pre> + <p> + It was then that the Persian king, believing that Tissaphernes was to + blame for the ill success of his affairs, sent down Tithraustes and cut + off the satrap's head. After this the fortunes of the barbarians grew + still more desperate, whilst those of Agesilaus assumed a bolder front. On + all side embassies from the surrounding nations came to make terms of + friendship, and numbers even came over to him, stretching out eager arms + to grasp at freedom. So that Agesilaus was now no longer the chosen + captain of the Hellenes only, but of many Asiatics. + </p> + <p> + And here we may pause and consider what a weight of admiration is due to + one who, being now ruler over countless cities of the continent, and + islands also (since the state had further entrusted the navy to his + hands), just when he had reached this pinnacle of renown and power, and + might look to turn to account his thronging fortunes; when, too, which + overtops all else, he was cherishing fond hopes to dissolve that empire + which in former days had dared to march on Hellas;—at such a moment + suffered himself not to be overmastered by these promptings, but on + receipt of a summons of the home authorities to come to the assistance of + the fatherland, obeyed the mandate of his state as readily (15) as though + he stood confronted face to face with the Five in the hall of ephors; and + thus gave clear proof that he would not accept the whole earth in exchange + for the land of his fathers, nor newly-acquired in place of ancient + friends, nor base gains ingloriously purchased rather than the perilous + pursuit of honour and uprightness. (16) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Cf. Hor. "Od." III. v. 50. + + (16) See Pindar, "Olymp." vi. 14. +</pre> + <p> + And, indeed, glancing back at the whole period during which he remained in + the exercise of his authority, no act of deeper significance in proof of + his kingly qualities need be named than this. He found the cities which he + was sent out to govern each and all a prey to factions, the result of + constitutional disturbances consequent on the cessation of the Athenian + empire, and without resort to exile or sanguinary measures he so disposed + them by his healing presence that civil concord and material prosperity + were permanently maintained. Therefore it was that the Hellenes in Asia + deplored his departure, (17) as though they had lost, not simply a ruler, + but a father or bosom friend, and in the end they showed that their + friendship was of no fictitious character. At any rate, they voluntarily + helped him to succour Lacedaemon, though it involved, as they knew, the + need of doing battle with combatants of equal prowess with themselves. So + the tale of his achievements in Asia has an end. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (17) See Plut. "Ages." xv. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <p> + He crossed the Hellespont and made his way through the very tribes + traversed by the Persian (1) with his multitudinous equipment in former + days, and the march which cost the barbarian a year was accomplished by + Agesilaus in less than a single month. He did not want to arrive a day too + late to serve his fatherland. And so passing through Macedonia he arrived + in Thessaly, and here the men of Larissa, Crannon, Scotussa, and + Pharsalus, who were allies of the Boeotians, and indeed all the + Thessalians, with the exception of those who were in exile at the time, + combined to dog his steps and do him damage. For a while he led his troops + in a hollow square, posting one half of his cavalry in the van and the + other half on his rear, but finding his march hindered by frequent attacks + of the Thessalians on his hindmost divisions, he sent round the mass of + his cavalry from the vanguard to support his rear, reserving only his + personal escort. (2) And now in battle order the rival squadrons faced + each other; when the Thessalians, not liking a cavalry engagement in face + of heavy infantry, wheeled and step by step retreated; their opponents + with much demureness following. Then Agesilaus, detecting the common error + under which both parties laboured, sent round his own bodyguard of + stalwart troopers with orders to their predecessors (an order they would + act upon themselves) to charge the enemy at full gallop and not give him a + chance to rally. The Thessalians, in face of this unexpected charge, + either could not so much as rally, or in the attempt to do so were caught + with their horses' flanks exposed to the enemy's attack. Polycharmus, the + Pharsalian, a commandant of cavalry, did indeed succeed in wheeling, but + was cut down with those about him sword in hand. This was the signal for a + flight so extraordinary that dead and dying lined the road, and the living + were captured wholesale, nor was a halt made until the pursuers reached + Mount Narthacius. Here, midway between Pras and Narthacius, Agesilaus + erected a trophy, and here for the moment he halted in unfeigned + satisfaction at his exploit, since it was from an antagonist boasting the + finest cavalry in the world that he had wrested victory with a body of + cavalry organised by himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) I.e. "Xerxes." + + (2) I.e. "the Three hundred." See Thuc. v. 72; "Pol. Lac." xiii. 6. +</pre> + <p> + Next day, crossing the mountain barrier of Achaea Phthiotis, his march lay + through friendly territory for the rest of the way as far as the frontiers + of Boeotia. Here he found the confederates drawn up in battle line. They + consisted of the Thebans, the Athenians, the Argives, the Corinthians, the + Aenianians, the Euboeans, and both divisions of the Locrians. (3) He did + not hesitate, but openly before their eyes drew out his lines to give them + battle. He had with him a division (4) and a half of Lacedaemonians, and + from the seat of war itself the allied troops of the Phocians and the men + of Orchomenus only, besides the armament which he had brought with him + from Asia. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See "Hell." IV. ii. 7. + + (4) Lit. "mora." +</pre> + <p> + I am not going to maintain that he ventured on the engagement in spite of + having far fewer and inferior forces. Such an assertion would only reveal + the senselessness of the general (5) and the folly of the writer who + should select as praiseworthy the reckless imperilling of mighty + interests. On the contrary, what I admire is the fact that he had taken + care to provide himself with an army not inferior to that of his enemy, + and had so equipped them that his cohorts literally gleamed with purple + and bronze. (6) He had taken pains to enable his soldiers to undergo the + fatigue of war, he had filled their breasts with a proud consciousness + that they were equal to do battle with any combatants in the world, and + what was more, he had infused a wholesome rivalry in those about him to + prove themselves each better than the rest. He had filled all hearts with + sanguine expectation of great blessings to descend on all, if they proved + themselves good men. Such incentives, he thought, were best calculated to + arouse enthusiasm in men's souls to engage in battle with the enemy. And + in this expectation he was not deceived. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Lit. "Agesilaus." + + (6) See "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1. +</pre> + <p> + I proceed to describe the battle, for in certain distinctive features it + differed from all the battles of our day. The contending forces met on the + plain of Coronea, Agesilaus and his troops approaching from the Cephisus, + the Thebans and their allies from the slopes of the Helicon. These masses + of infantry, as any eye might see, were of duly balanced strength, while + as near as could be the cavalry on either side was numerically the same. + Agesilaus held the right of his own army, and on his extreme left lay the + men of Orchomenus. On the opposite side the Thebans themselves formed + their own right and the Argives held their left. While the two armies + approached a deep silence prevailed on either side, but when they were now + a single furlong's (7) space apart the Thebans quickened to a run, and, + with a loud hurrah, dashed forward to close quarters. And now there was + barely a hundred yards (8) between them, when Herippidas, with his foreign + brigade, rushed forward from the Spartan's battle lines to meet them. This + brigade consisted partly of troops which had served with Agesilaus ever + since he left home, with a portion of the Cyreians, besides Ionians, + Aeolians, and their neighbours on the Hellespont. All these took part in + the forward rush of the attack just mentioned, and coming within + spear-thrust they routed that portion of the enemy in front of them. The + Argives did not even wait for Agesilaus and his division, but fled towards + Helicon, and at that moment some of his foreign friends were on the point + of crowning Agesilaus with the wreath of victory, when some one brought + him word that the Thebans had cut through the division from Orchomenus and + were busy with the baggage-train. Accordingly he at once deployed his + division and advanced by counter-march against them. The Thebans on their + side, seeing that their allies had scattered on Helicon, and eager to make + their way back to join their friends, began advancing sturdily. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Lit. "a stade." + + (8) Lit. "three plethra." +</pre> + <p> + To assert that Agesilaus at this crisis displayed real valour is to assert + a thing indisputable, but for all that the course he adopted was not the + safest. It was open to him to let the enemy pass in their effort to rejoin + their friends, and that done to have hung upon their heels and + overmastered their rear ranks, but he did nothing of the sort: what he did + was, to crash front to front against the Thebans. And so with shields + interlocked they shoved and fought and fought and shoved, dealing death + and yielding life. There was no shouting, nor yet was there even silence, + but a strange and smothered utterance, such as rage and battle vent. (9) + At last a portion of the Thebans forced their way through towards Helicon, + but many were slain in that departure. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "as the rage and fury of battle may give vent to." See + "Cyrop." VII. i. 38-40. A graphic touch omitted in "Hell." IV. + iii. 19. +</pre> + <p> + Victory remained with Agesilaus. Wounded himself, they bore him back to + his own lines, when some of his troopers came galloping up to tell him + that eighty of the enemy had taken refuge with their arms (10) under cover + of the Temple, (11) and they asked what they ought to do. He, albeit he + had received wounds all over him, having been the mark of divers weapons, + did not even so forget his duty to God, and gave orders to let them go + whithersoever they chose, nor suffered them to be ill-treated, but ordered + his bodyguard of cavalry to escort them out of reach of danger. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) I.e. "they had kept their arms." + + (11) See Plut. "Ages." xix.; Paus. ix. 34. +</pre> + <p> + And now that the battle had ceased, it was a sight to see where the + encounter took place, the earth bedabbled with gore, the dead lying cheek + by jowl, friend and foe together, and the great shields hacked and broken + to pieces, and the spears snapped asunder, the daggers lying bare of + sheaths, some on the ground, some buried in the bodies, some still + clutched in the dead men's hands. For the moment then, seeing that it was + already late in the day, they dragged together the corpses of their slain + apart from those of the enemy (12) and laid them within the lines, and + took their evening meal and slept; but early next morning Agesilaus + ordered Gylis, the polemarch, to marshal the troops in battle order and to + set up a trophy, while each man donned a wreath in honour of the god, and + the pipers piped. So they busied themselves, but the Thebans sent a herald + asking leave to bury their dead under cover of a truce. And so it came to + pass that a truce was made, and Agesilaus departed homewards, having + chosen, in lieu of supreme greatness in Asia, to rule, and to be ruled, in + obedience to the laws at home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) Reading, {tous ek ton polemion nekrous}, after Weiske. +</pre> + <p> + It was after this (13) that his attention was drawn to the men of Argos. + They had appropriated Corinth, and were reaping the fruits of their fields + at home. The war to them was a merry jest. Accordingly he marched against + them; and having ravaged their territory throughout, he crossed over by + the pass (14) down upon Corinth and captured the long walls leading to + Lechaeum. And so having thrown open the gates of Peloponnese he returned + home in time for the Hyacinthia, (15) where, in the post assigned to him + by the master of the chorus, he shared in the performance of the paean in + honour of the god. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) B.C. 393. + + (14) {kata ta stena}. See "Hell." IV. iv. 19. {kata Tenean}, according + to Koppen's emendation. + + (15) See Grote, "H. G." v. 208; Herod. ix. 7; "Hell." IV. v. 10. +</pre> + <p> + Later on, it being brought to his notice that the Corinthians were keeping + all their cattle safely housed in the Peiraeum, sowing the whole of that + district, and gathering in their crops; and, which was a matter of the + greatest moment, that the Boeotians, with Creusis as their base of + operations, could pour their succours into Corinth by this route—he + marched against Peiraeum. Finding it strongly guarded, he made as if the + city of Corinth were about to capitulate, and immediately after the + morning meal shifted his ground and encamped against the capital. Under + cover of night there was a rush from Peiraeum to protect the city, which + he was well aware of, and with break of day he turned right about and took + Peiraeum, defenceless as it lay, capturing all that it contained, with the + various fortresses within; and having so done retired homewards. + </p> + <p> + After these exploits (16) the Achaeans were urgent for an alliance, and + begged him to join them in an expedition against Acarnania. In the course + of this the Acarnanians attacked him in a defile. Storming the heights + above his head with his light troops, (17) he gave them battle, and slew + many of them, and set up a trophy, nor stayed his hand until he had united + the Acarnanians, the Aetolians, and the Argives, (18) in friendship with + the Achaeans and alliance with himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) B.C. 390-389? + + (17) See "Hell." IV. vi. 9-11, where it is expressly stated that the + action was won by the Spartan hoplites. See Hartman, "An. Xen." + (cap. xi. "De Agesilao libello"), p. 263, for other discrepancies + between the historian and the encomiast. + + (18) See perhaps "Hell." IV. iv. 19; vii. 2 foll. +</pre> + <p> + When the enemy, being desirous of peace, sent an embassy, it was Agesilaus + who spoke against the peace, (19) until he had forced the states of + Corinth and of Thebes to welcome back those of them who, for Lacedaemon's + sake, had suffered banishment. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) I.e. "of Antalcidas, B.C. 387." See "Hell." V. i. 36; Grote, "H. + G." ix. 537 note. +</pre> + <p> + And still later, (20) again, he restored the exiles of the Phliasians, who + had suffered in the same cause, and with that object marched in person + against Phlius, a proceeding which, however liable to censure on other + grounds, showed unmistakable attachment to his party. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) B.C. 383 and 380; see "Hell." V. ii. 10; iii. 10. + + (21) See "Hell." V. iii. 16. +</pre> + <p> + Thus, when the adverse faction had put to death those of the + Lacedaemonians then in Thebes, he brought succour to his friends, and + marched upon Thebes. (22) Finding the entire country fenced with ditch and + palisading, he crossed Cynoscephalae (23) and ravaged the district right + up to the city itself, giving the Thebans an opportunity of engaging him + in the plain or upon the hills, as they preferred. And once more, in the + ensuing year, (24) he marched against Thebes, and now surmounting these + palisades and entrenchments at Scolus, (25) he ravaged the remainder of + Boeotia. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) B.C. 378. + + (23) See "Hell." V. iv. 34 foll.; for the site see Breitenbach, ad + loc. + + (24) B.C. 377. + + (25) See "Hell." V. iv. 47. +</pre> + <p> + Hitherto fortune had smiled in common upon the king himself and upon his + city. And as for the disasters which presently befell, no one can maintain + that they were brought about under the leadership of Agesilaus. But the + day came when, after the disaster which had occurred at Leuctra, the rival + powers in conjunction with the Mantineans fell to massacring his friends + and adherents (26) in Tegea (the confederacy between all the states of + Boeotia, the Arcadians, and the Eleians being already an accomplished + fact). Thereupon, with the forces of Lacedaemon alone, (27) he took the + field, and thus belied the current opinion that it would be a long while + before the Lacedaemonians ventured to leave their own territory again. + Having ravaged the country of those who had done his friends to death, he + was content, and returned home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or intimates. + + (27) B.C. 370. See "Hell."VI. v. 21. +</pre> + <p> + After this Lacedaemon was invaded by the united Arcadians, Argives, + Eleians, and Boeotians, who were assisted by the Phocians, both sections + of the Locrians, the Thessalians, Aenianians, Acarnanians, and Euboeans; + moreover, the slaves had revolted and several of the provincial cities; + (28) while of the Spartans themselves as many had fallen on the field of + Leuctra as survived. But in spite of all, he safely guarded the city, and + that too a city without walls and bulwarks. Forbearing to engage in the + open field, where the gain would lie wholly with the enemy, he lay stoutly + embattled on ground where the citizens must reap advantage; since, as he + doggedly persisted, to march out meant to be surrounded on every side; + whereas to stand at bay where every defile gave a coign of vantage, would + give him mastery complete. (29) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) Lit. "perioecid"; see Plut. "Ages." xxxii. (Clough, iv. 39); + "Hell." VI. v. 32. + + (29) Is this parallel to "Hell." VII. v. 10, or "Hell." VI. v. 28? + According to the historian, Agesilaus adopted similar tactics on + both occasions (in B.C. 369 and B.C. 362 alike). The encomiast + after his manner appears to treat them as one. Once and again his + hero "cunctando restituit rem," but it was by the same strategy. +</pre> + <p> + After the invading army had retired, no one will gainsay the sound sense + of his behaviour. Old age debarred him from active service on foot or + horse, and what the city chiefly needed now, he saw, was money, if she + looked to gain allies. To the task therefore of providing that he set + himself. Everything that could be done by stopping at home he deftly + turned his hand to; or when the call arose and he could better help his + country by departure he had no false pride; he set off on foreign service, + not as general, but as ambassador. Yet on such embassy he achieved acts + worthy of the greatest general. Autophradates (30) was besieging + Ariobarzanes, (31) who was an ally of Sparta, in Assos; but before the + face of Agesilaus he fled in terror and was gone. Cotys, (32) besieging + Sestos, which still adhered to Ariobarzanes, broke up the siege and + departed crestfallen. Well might the ambassador have set up a trophy in + commemoration of the two bloodless victories. Once more, Mausolus (33) was + besieging both the above-named places with a squadron of one hundred sail. + He too, like, and yet unlike, the former two, yielded not to terror but to + persuasion, and withdrew his fleet. These, then, were surely admirable + achievements, since those who looked upon him as a benefactor and those + who fled from before him both alike made him the richer by their gifts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (30) Satrap of Lydia. + + (31) Satrap of Propontis or Hellespontine Phrygia. + + (32) Satrap of Paphlagonia, king of Thrace. Iphicrates married his + daughter. See Grote, "H. G." x. 410. + + (33) Satrap of Caria. +</pre> + <p> + Tachos, (34) indeed, and Mausolus gave him a magnificent escort; and, for + the sake of his former friendship with Agesilaus, the latter contributed + also money for the state of Lacedaemon; and so they sped him home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (34) King of Egypt. +</pre> + <p> + And now the weight of, may be, fourscore years was laid upon him, (35) + when it came under his observation that the king of Egypt, (36) with his + hosts of foot and horse and stores of wealth, had set his heart on a war + with Persia. Joyfully he learned that he himself was summoned by King + Tachos, and that the command-in-chief of all the forces was promised to + him. By this one venture he would achieve three objects, which were to + requite the Egyptian for the benefits conferred on Lacedaemon; to liberate + the Hellenes in Asia once again; and to inflict on the Persian a just + recompense, not only for the old offences, but for this which was of + to-day; seeing that, while boasting alliance with Sparta, he had + dictatorially enjoined the emancipation of Messene. (37) But when the man + who had summoned him refused to confer the proffered generalship, + Agesilaus, like one on whom a flagrant deception has been practised, began + to consider the part he had to play. Meanwhile a separate division (38) of + the Egyptian armies held aloof from their king. Then, the disaffection + spreading, all the rest of his troops deserted him; whereat the monarch + took flight and retired in exile to Sidon in Phoenicia, leaving the + Egyptians, split in faction, to choose to themselves a pair of kings. (39) + Thereupon Agesilaus took his decision. If he helped neither, it meant that + neither would pay the service-money due to his Hellenes, that neither + would provide a market, and that, whichever of the two conquered in the + end, Sparta would be equally detested. But if he threw in his lot with one + of them, that one would in all likelihood in return for the kindness prove + a friend. Accordingly he chose between the two that one who seemed to be + the truer partisan of Hellas, and with him marched against the enemy of + Hellas and conquered him in a battle, crushing him. His rival he helped to + establish on the throne, and having made him a friend to Lacedaemon, and + having acquired vast sums besides, he turned and set sail homewards, even + in mid-winter, hastening so that Sparta might not lie inactive, but + against the coming summer be alert to confront the foe. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) Or, "But to pass on, he was already, may be, eighty years of age, + when it came under his observation...." + + (36) This same Tachos. + + (37) See "Hell." VII. i. 36; iv. 9. + + (38) I.e. "the army under Nectanebos." See Diod. xv. 92; Plut. "Ages." + xxxvii. (Clough, iv. 44 foll.) + + (39) I.e. "Nectanebos and a certain Mendesian." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <p> + Such, then, is the chronicle of this man's achievements, or of such of + them as were wrought in the presence of a thousand witnesses. Being of + this sort they have no need of further testimony; the mere recital of them + is sufficient, and they at once win credence. But now I will endeavour to + reveal the excellence indwelling in his soul, the motive power of his + acts, in virtue of which he clung to all things honourable and thrust + aside all baseness. + </p> + <p> + Agesilaus showed such reverence for things divine that even his enemies + regarded his oaths and solemn treaties as more to be relied on than the + tie of friendship amongst themselves. These same men, who would shrink + from too close intercourse with one another, delivered themselves into the + hands of Agesilaus without fear. And lest the assertion should excite + discredit, I may name some illustrious examples. Such was Spithridates the + Persian, who knew that Pharnabazus, (1) whilst negotiating to marry the + daughter of the great king, was minded to seize his own daughter unwedded. + Resenting such brutality, Spithridates delivered up himself, his wife, his + children, and his whole power, into the hands of Agesilaus. Cotys (2) + also, the ruler of Paphlagonia, had refused to obey a summons from the + king, although he sent him the warrant of his right hand; (3) then fear + came upon him lest he should be seized, and either be heavily fined or die + the death; yet he too, simply trusting to an armistice, came to the camp + of Agesilaus and made alliance, and of his own accord chose to take the + field with Agesilaus, bringing a thousand horsemen and two thousand + targeteers. Lastly, Pharnabazus (4) himself came and held colloquy with + Agesilaus, and openly agreed that if he were not himself appointed + general-in-chief of the royal forces he would revolt from the king. + "Whereas, if I do become general," he added, "I mean to make war upon you, + Agesilaus, might and main," thus revealing his confidence that, say what + he might, nothing would befall him contrary to the terms of truce. Of so + intrinsic a value to all, and not least to a general in the field, is the + proud possession of an honest and God-fearing character, known and + recognised. Thus far, as touching the quality of piety. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Hell." III. iv. 10; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 9). + + (2) See "Hell." IV. i. 3; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 13). + + (3) Diod. xvi. 34. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 37. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <p> + To speak next of his justice (1) in affairs of money. As to this, what + testimony can be more conclusive than the following? During the whole of + his career no charge of fraudulent dealing was ever lodged against + Agesilaus; against which set the many-voiced acknowledgment of countless + benefits received from him. A man who found pleasure in giving away his + own for the benefit of others was not the man to rob another of his goods + at the price of infamy. Had he suffered from this thirst for riches it + would have been easier to cling to what belonged to him than to take that + to which he had no just title. This man, who was so careful to repay debts + of gratitude, where (2) the law knows no remedy against defaulters, was + not likely to commit acts of robbery which the law regards as criminal. + And as a matter of act Agesilaus judged it not only wrong to forgo + repayment of a deed of kindness, but, where the means were ample, wrong + also not to repay such debts with ample interest. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Muller and Donaldson, "Hist. Gk. Lit." ii. 196, note 2. + + (2) Or, "a state of indebtedness beyond the reach of a tribunal." See + "Cyrop." I. ii. 7. +</pre> + <p> + The charge of embezzlement, could it be alleged, would no less outrage all + reason in the case of one who made over to his country the benefit in full + of grateful offerings owed solely to himself. Indeed the very fact that, + when he wished to help the city or his friends with money, he might have + done so by the aid of others, goes a long way to prove his indifference to + the lure of riches; since, had he been in the habit of selling his favour, + or of playing the part of benefactor for pay, there had been no room for a + sense of indebtedness. (3) It is only the recipient of gratuitous kindness + who is ever ready to minister to his benefactor, both in return for the + kindness itself and for the confidence implied in his selection as the + fitting guardian of a good deed on deposit. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "no one would have felt to owe him anything." + + (4) See "Cyrop." VI. i. 35; Rutherford, "New Phrynichus," p. 312. +</pre> + <p> + Again, who more likely to put a gulf impassable between himself and the + sordid love of gain (5) than he, who nobly preferred to be stinted of his + dues (6) rather than snatch at the lion's share unjustly? It is a case in + point that, being pronounced by the state to be the rightful heir to his + brother's (7) wealth, he made over one half to his maternal relatives + because he saw that they were in need; and to the truth of this assertion + all Lacedaemon is witness. What, too, was his answer to Tithraustes when + the satrap offered him countless gifts if he would but quit the + country?"Tithraustes, with us it is deemed nobler for a ruler to enrich + his army than himself; it is expected of him to wrest spoils from the + enemy rather than take gifts." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "base covetousness." + + (6) Or reading, {sun auto to gennaio} (with Breitenbach), "in + obedience to pure generosity." See "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 38. + + (7) I.e. Agis. See Plut. "Ages." iv. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <p> + Or again, reviewing the divers pleasures which master human beings, I defy + any one to name a single one to which Agesilaus was enslaved: Agesilaus, + who regarded drunkenness as a thing to hold aloof from like madness, and + immoderate eating like the snare of indolence. Even the double portion (1) + allotted to him at the banquet was not spent on his own appetite; rather + would he make distribution of the whole, retaining neither portion for + himself. In his view of the matter this doubling of the king's share was + not for the sake of surfeiting, but that the king might have the + wherewithal to honour whom he wished. And so, too, sleep (2) he treated + not as a master, but as a slave, subservient to higher concerns. The very + couch he lay upon must be sorrier than that of any of his company or he + would have blushed for shame, since in his opinion it was the duty of a + leader to excel all ordinary mortals in hardihood, not in effeminacy. Yet + there were things in which he was not ashamed to take the lion's share, + as, for example, the sun's heat in summer, or winter's cold. Did occasion + ever demand of his army moil and toil, he laboured beyond all others as a + thing of course, believing that such ensamples are a consolation to the + rank and file. Or, to put the patter compendiously, Agesilaus exulted in + hard work: indolence he utterly repudiated. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 4. See J. J. Hartman, "An. Xen." 257. + + (2) See Hom. "Il." ii. 24, {ou khro pannukhion eudein boulephoron + andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a + counsellor."—W. Leaf. +</pre> + <p> + And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any rate + for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to be put on + record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which excites no + desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son of + Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate soul may + feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom among the + Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss, Megabates + endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much show of + battle, resisted—"No kiss might he accept." (3) I ask whether such + an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of the man, + and that of no vulgar order. (4) Megabates, who looked upon himself as in + some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not to offend in like + sort again. (5) Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one who was his comrade to + persuade Megabates again to honour him with his regard; and the comrade, + so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade him, will you bestow on him a + kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence, but presently exclaimed: "No, by the + Twins, not if I might this very instant become the swiftest-footed, + strongest, and handsomest of men. (6) And as to that battle I swear by all + the gods I would far rather fight it over again than that everything on + which I set my eyes might turn to gold." (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.) + + (4) Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect," + "a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive." + + (5) Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses." + + (6) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been + a little man of a contemptible presence." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid. + "Met." xi. 102 foll. +</pre> + <p> + What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but for + myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their enemeis than + the foes we speak of. (8) Doubtless such incidents when known to but few + may well be discredited by many, but here we are in the region of + establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a man is the less can + his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no eye-witness has ever + reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he invented it, would his tale + have found credence, since it was not the habit of the king, when abroad, + to lodge apart in private houses. He always lay up in some sacred place, + where behaviour of the sort was out of the question, or else in public, + with the eyes of all men liable to be called as witnesses to his sobriety. + For myself, if I make these statements falsely against the knowledge of + Hellas, this were not in any sense to praise my hero, but to dispraise + myself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Or, "than the seductions in question." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <p> + Nor, in my opinion, were those obscure proofs of courage and true + manliness which he furnished by his readiness ever to wage war against the + strongest enemies, whether of Sparta or of Hellas, placing himself in the + forefront of the contests decided on. If the enemy cared to join issue in + fair field he would not chance upon a victory won by panic, but in + stubborn battle, blow for blow, he mastered him; and set up trophies + worthy of the name, seeing that he left behind him imperishable monuments + of prowess, and bore away on his own body indelible marks of the fury with + which he fought; (1) so that, apart from hearsay, by the evidence of men's + eyes his valour stood approved. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "visible signs of the spirit," etc. See Plut. "Ages." xxxvi. +</pre> + <p> + And amongst these we must not deem them trophies alone which he actually + set up, but reckon the many campaigns which he undertook, since they were + victories truly, even when the enemy refused to encounter him, victories + devoid of danger, yet fraught with even more solid advantage to the state + of Sparta and her fellow-combatants; just as in our games we crown as + victor him who walks over the field (2) no less than him who conquers by + dint of battle. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "without striking a blow." Lit. "without the dust of the + arena, 'sine pulvere.'" See Thuc. iv. 73, {akoniti}. +</pre> + <p> + And to speak next of his wisdom, (3) I suppose there is not one of all his + doings but must illustrate it;—this man whose bearing towards his + fatherland was such that by dint of implicit obedience (he grew to so + greate a height of power), (4) whose zeal in the service of his comrades + won for him the unhesitating attachment of his friends, who infused into + the hearts of his soldiers a spirit, not of discipline only, but of + self-devotion to their chief. And yet surely that is the strongest of all + battle-lines (5) in which obedience creates tactical efficiency, and + alacrity in the field springs out of loyal affection for the general. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "his sagacity." + + (4) The words {pleiston iskhue} are supplied from Plutarch ("Ages." + iv.), who quotes the passage, "What Xenophon tells us of him, that + by complying with, and, as it were, ruled by his country, he grew + into such great power with them, that he could do what he pleased, + is meant," etc. (Clough, iv. p. 4). The lacuna in the MS. was + first noted, I believe, by Weiske. See Breitenbach's note ad loc. + + (5) See "Cyrop." VII. i. 30; "Econ." xxi. 7. +</pre> + <p> + Enemies he had to cope with, who had little excuse to disparage, however + much they might be compelled to hate their opponent, seeing that he was + for ever contriving to give his allies some advantage over them—by + sheer deception, if occasion offered; now anticipating them if speed were + requisite; now skulking in corners if concealment served; in all points + observing one rule of behaviour to his friends and another towards his + foes. By turning night into day and day into night (6) he drew so close a + veil of mystery over his movements that frequently there was no saying + where he was, or whither he would go, or what he might do next. The + fastnesses of the enemy he transformed into so many weaknesses, (7) + passing this one by, and scaling that, and stealing like a thief into a + third. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (6) See "Hell." VI. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." v. 7; "Cyrop." I. v. 12. + + (7) Or, "the strongholds of the enemy might to all intents and + purposes have been open places." +</pre> + <p> + When he was on the march, and was well aware that an enemy might, if he + chose, deliver battle, his habit was to lead his troops in compact battle + order ready to confront emergencies, with soft, slow step, advancing, as + it were, with maidenly demureness, (8) for in such procedure, as he + believed, lay the secret of true calm, engendering a dauntless + self-assurance, imperturbable, unerring, impervious to treacherous + assault. Therefore by such behaviour he was a terror to the enemy, whilst + he infused courage and strength in the hearts of his friends, so that + throughout his life he continued to be a man whom his foes dared not + despise, whom his fellow-citizens cared not to arraign, within the circle + of his friends held blameless, the idol and admiration of the outer world. + (9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) See above, ii. 3; "Pol. Lac." iii. 5. + + (9) Cf. Tacitus's phrase concerning Titus, "deliciae humani generis." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII + </h2> + <p> + To describe his patriotism (1) point by point in detail were a tedious + story, since, as I suppose, there is not one of his several achievements + but must finally resolve itself into that. For, to put it briefly, we all + know well that where Agesilaus expected in any way to benefit his country + there was no toil he shrank from, no danger he avoided, no money he + stinted, no excuse whether of age or body he admitted, but deemed it ever + the true function of a good king (2) to shower blessings to the utmost on + the subjects of his rule. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Lit. "love for his own city." + + (2) Or, "regarded it as the cardinal virtue of a real prince." See + "Mem." III. ii. 3. +</pre> + <p> + And for my part I hold it as chief among the magnificent benefits so + conferred by him upon his country that, being the most powerful member of + the state, he made no secret of his absolute submission to the laws, (3) + since what lesser man, seeing the king's obedience, would take (4) on + himself to disobey? Who, in discontentment at his own poor lot, would + venture on revolution, knowing that the king himself could condescend to + constitutional control? And that, too, a king who bore himself towards + political opponents with a paternal mildness. (5) If he rebuked them + sharply for their misdemeanours, he none the less honoured their high + endeavours, and proved himself a present help to them in time of trouble. + (6) No citizen could be his personal foe; of that he was assured. His + desire was to commend them one and all alike, counting the common + salvation of all a gain, and reckoning it as a loss if even a mean man + perished. For thus he reasoned, nor made a secret of the conclusion he had + come to: so long as her citizens continued tranquilly adherent to the laws + the happiness of Sparta was secure. (7) And for the rest Sparta would once + again be strong on that day when the states of Hellas should learn wisdom. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "he was at the same time the most obvious in his allegiance to + the laws." + + (4) Lit. "would have taken on himself... would have ventured on + revolution." + + (5) Lit. "as a father to his children." + + (6) Or, "and was ready to stand by their side in time of trouble." + + (7) Or, "For this was the clear tenor of his thought, that by tranquil + continuance within the laws the citizens of Sparta might secure + her happiness. And as to power, Sparta, etc." See "Mem." II. vi. + 27. +</pre> + <p> + And if, by admission, it is noble for every Hellene to be a lover of his + fellow-Hellenes, yet we must fare far afield to find another instance of a + general who, expecting to sack some city, would have refused to seize the + prize; or who regarded victory in a war waged against fellow-Hellenes as a + species of calamity. Yet this man when a message was brought him + concerning the battle at Corinth, (8) in which but eight Lacedaemonians + had fallen, but of their opponents ten thousand nearly, showed no sign of + exultation, but sighed, saying, "Alas for Hellas! since those who now lie + in their graves, were able, had they lived, to conquer the hosts of Asia." + (9) Again, when some Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was + ripe for surrender, and showed him the engines by which they were + confident they would take the walls, he refused to make the assault, + saying that Hellene cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought + back to a better mind, (10) and added, "For if we lop off our offending + members, haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the + barbarians." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G." + ix. 429. + + (9) Lit. "all the barbarians." + + (10) See "Econ." i. 23. +</pre> + <p> + Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out on a + campaign to enslave Hellas; the Persian, who to-day makes alliance with + these (no matter to him which the party, provided it will help him to work + the greater mischief (11)); or gives presents to those (who will take them + and do the greatest harm to his foes the Hellenes); or else concocts a + peace that shall presently involve us in internecine war, as he + anticipates:—but why dwell on facts so patent? —I ask, did + ever Hellene before Agesilaus so enter heart and soul upon his duty; + whether it were to help some tribe to throw off the Persian yoke, or to + save from destruction a revolted district, or if nothing else, at any rate + to saddle the Persian with such troubles of his own that he should cease + to trouble Hellas? An ardent hater of Persia surely was he, who, when his + own country was at war with Hellenes, did not neglect the common good of + Hellas, but set sail to wreak what harm he might upon the barbarians. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Or, "the worse the mischief he can work, the better the side." + + (12) See Isocr. "Ep." ix. "To Archidamus," S. 11-14. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII + </h2> + <p> + To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims more + than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was vouchsafed and + power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his hands the sceptre + of sovereignty—a kingship not plotted against, but respected and + beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen in him, but of + tender affection and courteous service to his friends proof in abundance + without seeking. Witness the zest with which he shared in the round of + lovers' talk; (1) the zeal with which he threw himself into the serious + concerns (2) of friends. By dint of a hopeful and cheery disposition and + unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to his side a throng of visitors, + who came, not simply for the transaction of some private interest, but + rather to pass away the day in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to + use high-swelling words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding + their own praises, which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at + least of high endeavour (3) in the future. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut. + "Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx. + + (2) Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of + his friends." + + (3) Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood." +</pre> + <p> + But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season must + not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king (I speak + of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company with Calleas (4) + of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and friendship with the + Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it, telling the bearer to take + back to the king this answer: "He need not be at pains to send him letters + in private, but if he could prove himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the + well-wisher of Hellas he should have no cause to blame the ardour of his + friendship," but added, "if your king be detected plotting, let him not + think to find a friend in me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." + For my part, then, I hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with + pleasing his fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, + too, among his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to + self-congratulation belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many + legions, but to him rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the + allegiance of better followers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H. + G." x. 402. +</pre> + <p> + And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. Holding + to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted from the king + the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself to be seduced, + either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power, to be drawn into bonds + of friendship with the king, but took precaution rather not to abuse their + confidence who were willing to revolt. + </p> + <p> + And lastly, as beyond all controversy admirable, note this contrast: + First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches he + had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept into his + coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, and him + alone, the costliest and most precious things of earth. And then this + other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to be totally + independent of every adventitious aid. (5) And if any one doubts the + statement, let him look and see with what manner of dwelling-place he was + contented; let him view the palace doors: these are the selfsame doors, he + might well imagine, which Aristodemus, (6) the great-great-grandson of + Heracles, took and set up in the days of the return. Let him endeavour to + view the furniture inside; there he will perceive how the king feasted on + high holy days; and he will hear how the king's own daughter was wont to + drive to Amyclae in a public basket-carriage. (7) Thus it was that by the + adjustment of expenditure to income he was never driven to the commission + of any unjust deed for money's sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold + a fortress impregnable to attack, I count it a greater glory that a man + should hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of + riches, pleasures, fears. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "of all such external needs." + + (6) See Herod. vi. 52. + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words {e thugater + autou} were supplied from this passage by Casaubon. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX + </h2> + <p> + I will here state to what extent the style of living which he presented + stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner of the Persian. + (1) In the first place, if the latter made a solemn affectation of being + but seldom seen, Agesilaus delighted to live in the eye of day, believing + that seclusion might accord well enough as a screen for shameless conduct, + but to a life of nobleness and beauty (2) heaven's light added new + ornament. (3) And next, if the one prided himself on being unapproachable, + the other rejoiced in being accessible to all the world; the one, with his + airs and graces, was pleased to transact business slowly, the other was + never so happy as when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner + without waste of time. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false + pretences of the Persian." For {alazoneia} see "Mem." I. vii. 1; + Aristot. "N. E." iv. 7; Theophr. "Char." vi. + + (2) Lit. "a life striving towards beauteousness." + + (3) Or, "added but greater lustre." + + (4) Lit. "could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay." +</pre> + <p> + Again, it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to satisfy + was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at. (5) For the + Persian, men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage which he + will care to drink; he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to supply the + kick-shaws he will deign to eat; and to procure him the blessing of sleep + no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must be taken. But + Agesilaus was a lover of toil, and therefore not so dainty; the meanest + beverage was sweet to his lips, and pleasant enough to his taste was the + chance fare of the moment; and for the purpose of refreshing slumber every + place alike conducive. It was not merely that to fare thus gave him pure + pleasure, but in the sense of contrast lay a double satisfaction. Here was + he roaming earth freely in the midst of a world of delight, (6) and there + lay the Persian, under his eyes, who to escape a life of pain must drag + together from the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for + his pleasure. It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to + confront the appointed order of the universe (7) without pain; while + through weakness of soul his rival, it was plain to see, was driven to + flee away from heat and cold, and to shape his life, not by the pattern of + brave men, but of some mean and defenceless animal. (8) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See Herod. i. 135, for the luxury of the Persians and for the + refinements of civilisation. See "Mem." II. i. 10; "Cyrop." VIII. + i. 40. + + (6) Or, "in a round of festivity." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xiv. (Clough, iv. p. 17); "Apophth. Lac." p. + 102; Eur. "Supp." 214, 215. + + {de ou truphomen, theou kataskeuen bio + dontos toiauten, oisin ouk arkei tade}; + + (8) Or, "the most defenceless of God's creatures." Lit. "the weakest + of animals." +</pre> + <p> + And what a fine trait this was in him, and betokening how lofty a + sentiment, that, being content to adorn his own house with works and + possessions suited to a man, and being devoted to the breeding of dogs and + horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare, he persuaded his sister + Cynisca to rear chariot horses, (9) and thus by her victory (10) showed + that to keep a stud of that sort, however much it might be a mark of + wealth, was hardly a proof of manly virtue. And surely in the following + opinion we may discern plainly the generosity of him who entertained it. + To win victories over private persons in a chariot race does not add one + tittle to a man's renown. He, rather, who holds his city dear beyond all + things else, who has himself sunk deep into the heart of her affections, + who has obtained to himself all over the world a host of friends and those + the noblest, who can outdo his country and comrades alike in the race of + kindliness, and his antagonists in vengeance—such a man may, in a + true sense, be said to bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble + and magnificent; living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) I.e. "for the games." + + (10) I.e. "at Olympia." Cynisca, according to Pausanias (iii. 8), was + the first woman who won a prize at Olympia. See also Plut. "Ages." + xx. (Clough, iv. p. 23). +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X + </h2> + <p> + It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus. And + in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure and + thereby becomes wealthier, albeit none the more skilful in economy; nor + yet like him who, when a plague has fallen upon an enemy, wrests a + victory, whereby he may add to his reputation for success, but not for + strategy. Rather was his example that of one who in each emergency will + take the lead; at a crisis where toil is needful, by endurance; or in the + battle-lists of bravery by prowess; or when the function of the counsellor + is uppermost, by the soundness of his judgment. Of such a man I say, he + has obtained by warrant indefeasible the title peerless. + </p> + <p> + And if, as a means towards good workmanship, we count among the noble + inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet, (1) no less happily shall + we, who desire to attain a manly excellence, find in the virtue of + Agesilaus a pattern and example. He was God-fearing, he was just in all + his dealings, sound of soul and self-controlled. How then shall we who + imitate him become his opposite, unholy, unjust, tyrannical, licentious? + And, truth to say, this man prided himself, not so much on being a king + over others as on ruling himself, (2) not so much on leading his citizens + to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace all virtue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. + + (2) See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. +</pre> + <p> + Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished life, + that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral hymn. (3) Far + rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the first place it is + only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale familiar to his ears + when living. And in the next place, what is more remote from dirge and + lamentation than a life of glory crowned by seasonable death? What more + deserving of song and eulogy than resplendent victories and deeds of + highest note? Surely if one man rather than another may be accounted truly + blest, it is he who, from his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and + beyond all contemporary names won what he desired; who, being gifted with + a nature most emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king + unconquered; who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without + offence (4) committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he + marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. + + (4) As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. + ad x. 4 of his edition. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI + </h2> + <p> + It only remains for me, under the form of headings, (1) to review the + topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may cling + to the memory more lastingly. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, as others think, "in a summary." +</pre> + <p> + Agesilaus reverenced the shrines and sacred places even of the enemy. We + ought, he said, to make the gods our allies on hostile no less than on + friendly soil. + </p> + <p> + He would do no violence to a suppliant, no, not even if he were his own + foe; since how irrational must it be to stigmatise robbers of temples as + sacrilegious and yet to regard him who tears the suppliant from the altar + as a pious person. + </p> + <p> + One tenet he never wearied of repeating: the gods, he said, are not less + pleased with holy deeds than with pure victims. + </p> + <p> + In the day of his prosperity his thoughts were not raised higher than + befits a man; he gave thanks to the gods; and offered more victims when he + had nothing to fear than he registered vows in time of apprehension. + </p> + <p> + He was accustomed in the midst of anxiety to wear an aspect of gaiety, + but, when the victory was won, of gentleness. + </p> + <p> + Amongst friends his warmest greeting was reserved, not for the most + powerful, but for the most ardent; and if he hated, it was not him who, + being evil entreated, retaliated, but one who, having had kindness done to + him, seemed incapable of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + He rejoiced when sordid greed was rewarded with poverty; and still more if + he might himself enrich a righteous man, since his wish was to render + uprightness more profitable than iniquity. + </p> + <p> + He made it a practice to associate with all kinds of people, but to be + intimate only with the best. + </p> + <p> + As he listened to the praise of this man, or the censure of another, he + felt that he learnt quite as much about the character of the speakers + themselves as of those whom they discussed. + </p> + <p> + To be cheated by a friend was scarcely censurable, but he could find no + condemnation strong enough for him who was outwitted by a foe. Or again, + to dupe the incredulous might argue wit, but to take in the unsuspecting + was veritably a crime. + </p> + <p> + The praise of a critic who had courage to point out his defects pleased + him; and plainness of speech excited in him no hostility. It was against + the cunning rather of the secretive person that he guarded himself, as + against a hidden snare. + </p> + <p> + The calumniator he detested more than the robber or the thief, in + proportion as the loss of friends is greater than the loss of money. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Mr. R. W. Taylor aptly quotes "Othello," III. iii. 157— + + "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; + 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; + But he that filches from me my good name + Robs me of that which not enriches him + And makes me poor indeed." +</pre> + <p> + The errors of private persons he bore with gently, but those of rulers he + looked upon as grave; since the mischief wrought in the one case was so + small, and so large in the other. The proper attribute of royalty was, he + maintained, not an avoidance of responsibility, but a constant striving + after nobleness. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) On the word {kalokagathia} so translated, see Demosth. 777, 5. +</pre> + <p> + Whilst he would not suffer any image (4) of his bodily form to be set up + (though many wished to present him with a statue), he never ceased + elaborating what should prove the monument of his spirit, holding that the + former is the business of a statuary, the latter of one's self. Wealth + might procure the one, he said, but only a good man could produce the + other. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2); also Plut. "Ap. Lac." p. + 115; ib. p. 103; Cic. "ad Div." V. xii. 7. +</pre> + <p> + As for riches, he employed them not with justice merely, but with + liberality, holding that for a just man it is sufficient if he let alone + the things of others, but of a liberal man it is required that he should + take of his own and give to supply another's needs. + </p> + <p> + He was ever subject to religious fear, (5) believing that no man during + his lifetime, however well he lives, can be counted happy; it is only he + who has ended his days with glory of whom it can be said that he has + attained at last to blessedness. (6) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See "Cyr." III. iii. 58, and for the word {deisidaimon}, see Jebb, + "Theophr. Char." p. 263 foll.; Mr. Ruskin, Preface to "Bibl. + Past." vol. i. p. xxv. + + (6) See Herod. i. 34; Soph. "Oed. Tyr." 1529; and Prof. Jebb's note ad + loc. +</pre> + <p> + In his judgment it was a greater misfortune to neglect things good and + virtuous, knowing them to be so, than in ignorance. Nor was he enamoured + of any reputation, the essentials of which he had not laboriously + achieved. (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Or, "for which he did not qualify himself by the appropriate + labour." +</pre> + <p> + He was one of the small band, as it seemed to me, who regard virtue, not + as a thing to be patiently endured, (8) but as a supreme enjoyment. At any + rate, to win the praise of mankind gave him a deeper pleasure than the + acquisition of wealth; and he preferred to display courage far rather in + conjunction with prudence than with unnecessary risks, and to cultivate + wisdom in action more than by verbal discussion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Or, "as a system of stoical endurance," "a kind of stoicism." But + we must not let Xenophon, who is a Socratic, talk of the Stoa. If + we knew certainly that the chapter was a much later production, + the language would be appropriate enough. +</pre> + <p> + Very gentle to his friends, to his enemies he was most terrible. Whilst he + could hold out against toil and trouble with the best, nothing pleased him + better than yielding to his comrades. But passion was kindled in him by + beauty of deed rather than of person. (9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "beauteous deeds rather than bodily splendour." +</pre> + <p> + Skilled in the exercise of self-command in the midst of external welfare, + he could be stout of heart enough in stress of danger. + </p> + <p> + Urbanity he practised, not with jest and witticism, but by the courtesy of + his demeanour. + </p> + <p> + In spite of a certain haughtiness, he was never overbearing, but rich in + saving common sense. At any rate, while pouring contempt upon arrogance, + he bore himself more humbly than the most ordinary man. In fact, what he + truly took a pride in was the simplicity of his own attire, in contrast + with the splendid adornment of his troops; or, again, in the paucity of + his own wants, combined with a bountiful liberality towards his friends. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, as an antagonist he could hit hard enough, but no one + ever bore a lighter hand when the victory was won. (10) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) Lit. "he was the heaviest of antagonists and the lightest of + conquerors." +</pre> + <p> + The same man, whom an enemy would have found it hard to deceive, was + pliability itself in the concerns of his friends. Whilst for ever occupied + in laying these on a secure foundation, he made it a ceaseless task to + baffle the projects of the national foe. + </p> + <p> + The epithets applied to him are significant. His relatives found in him a + kinsman who was more than kind. To his intimates he appeared as a friend + in need who is a friend indeed. To the man who had done him some service, + of tenacious memory. To the victim of injustice, a knight-errant. And to + those who had incurred danger by his side, a saviour second only to the + gods. + </p> + <p> + It was given to this man, as it appears to me, to prove exceptionally that + though strength of body may wax old the vigour of a man's soul is exempt + from eld. Of him, at any rate, it is true that he never shrank from the + pursuit of great and noble objects, so long as (11) his body was able to + support the vigour of his soul. Therefore his old age appeared mightier + than the youth of other people. It would be hard to discover, I imagine, + any one who in the prime of manhood was as formidable to his foes as + Agesilaus when he had reached the limit of mortal life. Never, I suppose, + was there a foeman whose removal came with a greater sense of relief to + the enemy than that of Agesilaus, though a veteran when he died. Never was + there a leader who inspired stouter courage in the hearts of + fellow-combatants than this man with one foot planted in the grave. Never + was a young man snatched from a circle of loving friends with tenderer + regret than this old graybeard. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Reading, {megalon kai kalon ephiemenos, eos kai to soma, k.t.l.} + See Breitenbach. +</pre> + <p> + The benefactor of his fatherland, absolutely to the very end; with + bounteous hand, even in the arms of death, dealing out largesse (12) to + the city which he loved. And so they bore him home to his eternal + resting-place; (13) this hero, who, having raised to himself many a + monument of his valour over the broad earth, came back to find in the land + of his fathers a sepulture worthy of a king. (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) See above, ii. 31. + + (13) See for this remarkable phrase, Diod. i. 51. + + (14) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 9. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1169 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8458461 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1169 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1169) diff --git a/old/1169-h.zip b/old/1169-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7168dee --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1169-h.zip diff --git a/old/1169-h/1169-h.htm b/old/1169-h/1169-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb401aa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1169-h/1169-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2304 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Agesilaus, by Xenophon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Agesilaus, by Xenophon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Agesilaus + +Author: Xenophon + +Translator: H. G. Dakyns + +Release Date: August 13, 2008 [EBook #1169] +Last Updated: January 15, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGESILAUS *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + AGESILAUS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Xenophon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by H. G. Dakyns + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Dedicated To + Rev. B. Jowett, M.A. + Master of Balliol College + Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford + </pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Agesilaus summarises the life of his Spartan + friend and king, whom he met after the events of + the Anabasis. + </pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PREPARER'S NOTE </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>AGESILAUS</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <big><b>An Encomium</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XI </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREPARER'S NOTE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + AGESILAUS + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + An Encomium + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The date of Agesilaus's death is uncertain—360 B.C. (Grote, + "H. G." ix. 336); 358 B.C. (Curt. iv. 196, Eng. tr.) +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <p> + To write the praises of Agesilaus in language equalling his virtue and + renown is, I know, no easy task; yet must it be essayed; since it were but + an ill requital of pre-eminence, that, on the ground of his perfection, a + good man should forfeit the tribute even of imperfect praise. + </p> + <p> + As touching, therefore, the excellency of his birth, what weightier, what + nobler testimony can be adduced than this one fact? To the commemorative + list of famous ancestry is added to-day the name (1) Agesilaus as holding + this or that numerical descent from Heracles, and these ancestors no + private persons, but kings sprung from the loins of kings. Nor is it open + to the gainsayer to contend that they were kings indeed but of some chance + city. Not so, but even as their family holds highest honour in their + fatherland, so too is their city the most glorious in Hellas, whereby they + hold, not primacy over the second best, but among leaders they have + leadership. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "even to-day, in the proud bead-roll of his ancestry he stands + commemorated, in numerical descent from Heracles." +</pre> + <p> + And herein it is open to us to praise both his fatherland and his family. + It is notable that never throughout these ages has Lacedaemon, out of envy + of the privilege accorded to her kings, tried to dissolve their rule; nor + ever yet throughout these ages have her kings strained after greater + powers than those which limited their heritage of kingship from the first. + Wherefore, while all other forms of government, democracies and + oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies, alike have failed to maintain their + continuity unbroken, here, as the sole exception, endures indissolubly + their kingship. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) See "Cyrop." I. i. 1. +</pre> + <p> + And next in token of an aptitude for kingship seen in Agesilaus, before + even he entered upon office, I note these signs. On the death of Agis, + king of Lacedaemon, there were rival claimants to the throne. Leotychides + claimed the succession as being the son of Agis, and Agesilaus as the son + of Archidamus. But the verdict of Lacedaemon favoured Agesilaus as being + in point of family and virtue unimpeachable, (3) and so they set him on + the throne. And yet, in this princeliest of cities so to be selected by + the noblest citizens as worthy of highest privilege, argues, methinks + conclusively, an excellence forerunning exercise of rule. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) For this matter see "Hell." III. iii. 1-6; V. iv. 13; Plut. + "Ages." iii. 3 (Cloigh, iv. 3 foll.); Paus. iii. 3. + + (4) See Aristides ("Rhet." 776), who quotes the passage for its + measured cadence. +</pre> + <p> + And so I pass on at once to narrate the chief achievements of his reign, + since by the light of deeds the character of him who wrought them will, if + I mistake not, best shine forth. + </p> + <p> + Agesilaus was still a youth (5) when he obtained the kingdom, and he was + still but a novice in his office when the news came that the king of + Persia was collecting a mighty armament by sea and land for the invasion + of Hellas. The Lacedaemonians and their allies sat debating these matters, + when Agesilaus undertook to cross over into Asia. He only asked for thirty + Spartans and two thousand New Citizens, (6) besides a contingent of the + allies six thousand strong; with these he would cross over into Asia and + endeavour to effect a peace; or, if the barbarian preferred war, he would + leave him little leisure to invade Hellas. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) B.C. 399; according to Plut. ("Ages." ad fin.) he was forty-three, + and therefore still "not old." See "Hell." III. iv. 1 for the + startling news, B.C. 396. + + (6) For the class of Neodamodes, see Arnold's note to Thuc. v. 34 + (Jowett, "Thuc." ii. 307); also Thuc. vii. 58; "Hell." I. iii. 15. +</pre> + <p> + The proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm on the part of many. They could + not but admire the eagerness of their king to retaliate upon the Persian + for his former invasions of Hellas by counter-invasion on his own soil. + They liked the preference also which he showed for attacking rather than + awaiting his enemy's attack, and his intention to carry on the war at the + expense of Persia rather than that of Hellas; but it was the perfection of + policy, they felt, so to change the arena of battle, with Asia as the + prize of victory instead of Hellas. If we pass on to the moment when he + had received his army and set sail, I can conceive no clearer exposition + of his generalship than the bare narration of his exploits. + </p> + <p> + The scene is Asia, and this his first achievement. Tissaphernes had sworn + an oath to Agesilaus on this wise: if Agesilaus would grant him an + armistice until the return of certain ambassadors whom he would send to + the king, he (Tissaphernes) would do his utmost to procure the + independence of the Hellenic cities in Asia. And Agesilaus took a counter + oath: without fraud or covin to observe the armistice during the three + months (7) necessary to that transaction. But the compact was scarcely + made when Tissaphernes gave the lie to the solemn undertaking he had sworn + to. So far from effecting peace, he begged the King to send him a large + armament in addition to that which he already had. As to Agesilaus, though + he was well aware of these proceedings, he adhered loyally to the + armistice. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) See Grote, "H. G." x. 359; "Hell." III. iv. 5. +</pre> + <p> + And for myself, I look upon this as the first glorious achievement of the + Spartan. By displaying the perjury of Tissaphernes he robbed him of his + credit with all the world; by the exhibition of himself in contrast as a + man who ratified his oath and would not gainsay an article of his + agreement, he gave all men, Hellenes and barbarians alike, encouragement + to make covenant with him to the full extent of his desire. + </p> + <p> + When Tissaphernes, priding himself on the strength of that army which had + come down to aid him, bade Agesilaus to be gone from Asia or to prepare + for war, (8) deep was the vexation depicted on the faces of the + Lacedaemonians there present and their allies, as they realised that the + scanty force of Agesilaus was all too small to cope with the armaments of + Persia. But the brow of their general was lit with joy as gaily he bade + the ambassadors take back this answer to Tissaphernes: "I hold myself + indebted to your master for the perjury whereby he has obtained to himself + the hostility of heaven, and made the gods themselves allies of Hellas." + And so without further pause he published a general order to his soldiers + to pack their baggage and prepare for active service; and to the several + cities which lay on the line of march to Caria, the order sped to have + their markets in readiness; while to the men of Ionia and the Aeolid and + the Hellespont he sent despatches bidding them send their contingents to + Ephesus to join in the campaign. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Lit. "When Tissaphernes, priding himself... bade Agesilaus be + gone... deep was the annoyance felt." +</pre> + <p> + Tissaphernes meanwhile was influenced by the fact that Agesilaus had no + cavalry, and that Caria was a hilly district unsuited for that arm. + Moreover, as he further bethought him, Agesilaus must needs be wroth with + him for his deceit. What could be clearer, therefore, than that he was + about to make a dash at the satrap's home in Caria? Accordingly he + transported the whole of his infantry into Caria and marched his cavalry + round the while into the plain of the Maeander, persuaded that he would + trample the Hellenes under the hoofs of his horses long before they + reached the district where no cavalry could operate. + </p> + <p> + But Agesilaus, instead of advancing upon Caria, turned right about and + marched in the direction of Phrygia. Picking up the various forces that + met him on his progress, he passed onwards, laying city after city at his + feet, and by the suddenness of his incursion capturing enormous wealth. + </p> + <p> + Here was an achievement which showed the genius of a general, as all + agreed. When once war as declared, and the arts of circumvention and + deceit were thereby justified, he had proved Tissaphernes to be a very + bade in subtlety; (9) and with what sagacity again did he turn the + circumstances to account for the enrichment of his friends. Owing to the + quantity of wealth captured, precious things were selling for a mere song. + Thereupon he gave his friends warning to make their purchases, adding that + he should at once march down to the sea-coast at the head of his troops. + The quartermasters meanwhile received orders to make a note of the + purchasers with the prices of the articles, and to consign the goods. The + result was that, without prior disbursement on their part, or detriment to + the public treasury, his friends reaped an enormous harvest. Moreover, + when deserters came with offers to disclose hidden treasures, and + naturally enough laid their proposal before the king himself, he took care + to have the capture of these treasures effected by his friends, which + would enable them to do a stroke of business, and at the same time redound + to their prestige. For this reason he was not long in discovering many an + eager aspirant to his friendship. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) See below, xi. 4; "Mem." III. i. 6; IV. ii. 15; "Cyrop." I. vi. + 31; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 10). +</pre> + <p> + But a country pillaged and denuded of inhabitants would not long support + an army. That he felt. A more perennial source of supply was surely to be + found in waving cornfields and thickly clustering homesteads. So with + infinite pains he set himself not merely to crush his foes by force, but + also to win them to his side by gentleness. In this spirit he often + enjoined upon his soldiers to guard their captives as fellow-men rather + than take vengeance upon them as evildoers; (10) or, on a change of + quarters, if aware of little children left behind by the dealers (since + the men often sold them in the belief that it would be impossible to carry + them away and rear them), he would show concern in behalf of these poor + waifs and have them conveyed to some place of safety; or he would entrust + them to the care of fellow-prisoners also left behind on account of old + age; in no case must they be left to ravening dogs and wolves. In this way + he won the goodwill not only of those who heard tell of these doings but + of the prisoners themselves. And whenever he brought over a city to his + side, he set the citizens free from the harsher service of a bondsman to + his lord, imposing the gentler obedience of a freeman to his ruler. + Indeed, there were fortresses impregnable to assault which he brought + under his power by the subtler force of human kindness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) See Grote, vol. ix. p. 365 foll. +</pre> + <p> + But when, in Phrygia even, the freedom of his march along the flats was + hampered by the cavalry of Pharnabazus, he saw that if he wished to avoid + a skulking warfare under cover, a force of cavalry was indispensable. + Accordingly he enlisted the wealthiest members of every city in those + parts to breed and furnish horses; with this saving clause, however: that + the individual who furnished a horse and arms with a good rider should be + exempt from service himself. By this means he engendered an eagerness to + discharge the obligation, not unlike that of the condemned man, casting + about to discover some one to die in his place. (11) He further ordered + some of the states themselves to furnish contingents of mounted troopers, + and this in the conviction that from such training-centres he would + presently get a pick of cavaliers proud of their horsemanship. And thus + once more he won golden opinions by the skill with which he provided + himself with a body of cavalry in the plenitude of strength and ripe for + active service. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Instead of the plain {zetoie} of the parallel passage ("Hell." + III. iv. 15) the encomiast prefers the poetical {masteuoi}. +</pre> + <p> + On the approach of early spring (12) he collected his whole armament at + Ephesus, and set himself to the work of training it. With that object he + proposed a series of prizes: one set for the cavalry squadron which rode + best, another for the heavy infantry divisions which presented the best + physique, another again for various light troops, peltasts, and bowmen, + which showed themselves most efficient in their respective duties. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) B.C. 395; see "Hell." III. iv. 16; Plut. "Marcel." (Clough, ii. + 262); Polyb. xii. 20, 7. +</pre> + <p> + Thereupon it was a sight to see the gymnasiums thronged with warriors + going through their exercises, the racecourses crowded with troopers on + prancing steeds, the archers and the javelin men shooting at the butts. + Nay, the whole city in which he lay was transformed into a spectacle + itself, so filled to overflowing was the market-place with arms and armour + of every sort, and horses, all for sale. Here were coppersmiths and + carpenters, ironfounders and cobblers, painters and decorators—one + and all busily engaged in fabricating the implements of war; so that an + onlooker might have thought the city of Ephesus itself a gigantic arsenal. + It would have kindled courage in the breast of a coward to see the long + lines of soldiers, with Agesilaus at their head, all garlanded as they + marched in proud procession from the gymnasiums and dedicated their + wreaths to our Lady Artemis. Since, where these three elements exist—reverence + towards heaven, practice in military affairs, and obedience to command—all + else must needs be full of happy promise. + </p> + <p> + But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain + strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the + barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The + soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for toil, + soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only stir abroad + in carriages, concluded that a war with women would scarcely be more + formidable. Then he published a further order to the soldiers: "I shall + lead you at once by the shortest route to the stronghold (13) of the + enemy's territory. Your general asks you to keep yourselves on the alert + in mind and body, as men about to enter the lists of battle on the + instant." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Or, "the richest parts of the country," viz. Lydia; Plut. "Ages." + x. +</pre> + <p> + But Tissaphernes was persuaded that this was all talk on his part for the + purpose of outwitting him a second time: now certainly Agesilaus would + make an incursion into Caria. So once again the satrap transported his + infantry over into that country just has he had done before, and as before + he posted his cavalry in the plain of the Maeander. + </p> + <p> + This time, however, Agesilaus was true to his word. In accordance with his + published order he advanced straight upon the region of Sardis, and, + during a three days' march through a country where not an enemy was to be + seen, provided his army with abundant supplies. On the fourth day the + enemy's cavalry came up. The Persian general ordered the commandant of his + baggage train to cross the Pactolus and encamp, whilst his troopers, who + had caught sight of the camp followers of the Hellenes scattered in search + of booty, put many of them to the sword. Agesilaus, aware how matters were + going, ordered his cavalry to the rescue, and the Persians on their side, + seeing the enemy's supports approaching, collected and formed up in line + to receive them with the serried squadrons of their cavalry. And now + Agesilaus, conscious that his enemy's infantry had not as yet arrived, + whilst on his side no element in his preparation was lacking, felt that + the moment was come to join battle if he could. Accordingly he sacrificed + and advanced against the opposing lines of cavalry. A detachment of heavy + infantry, the ten-years-service men, had orders to close with them at the + run, while the light infantry division were told to show them the way at a + swinging pace. At the same time he passed the order along the line of his + cavalry to charge in reliance of the support of himself and the main body + in their rear. Charge they did, these troopers, and the pick of Persian + cavalry received them bravely, but in face of the conjoint horror of the + attack they swerved, and some were cut down at once in the river-bed, + while others sought safety in flight. The Hellenes followed close on the + heels of the flying foe, and captured his camp. Here the peltasts, not + unnaturally, fell to pillaging, whereupon Agesilaus formed a cordon of + troops, round the property of friends and foes alike, and so encamped. + </p> + <p> + Presently hearing that the enemy were in a state of disorder, the result + of every one holding his fellow responsible for what had happened, he + advanced without further stay on Sardis. Having arrived, he fell to + burning and ravaging the suburbs, while at the same time he did not fail + to make it known by proclamation that those who asked for freedom should + join his standard; or if there were any who claimed a right of property in + Asia he challenged them to come out and meet her liberators in fair fight + and let the sword decide between them. Finding that no one ventured to + come out to meet him, his march became for the future a peaceful progress. + All around him he beheld Hellenes who formerly were forced to bow the knee + to brutal governors now honoured by their former tyrants, while those who + had claimed to enjoy divine honours were so humbled by him that they + scarce dared to look a Hellene in the face. Everywhere he saved the + territory of his friends from devastation, and reaped the fruits of the + enemy's soil to such good effect that within two years he was able to + dedicate as a tithe to the god at Delphi more than one hundred talents. + (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) = 25,000 pounds nearly. +</pre> + <p> + It was then that the Persian king, believing that Tissaphernes was to + blame for the ill success of his affairs, sent down Tithraustes and cut + off the satrap's head. After this the fortunes of the barbarians grew + still more desperate, whilst those of Agesilaus assumed a bolder front. On + all side embassies from the surrounding nations came to make terms of + friendship, and numbers even came over to him, stretching out eager arms + to grasp at freedom. So that Agesilaus was now no longer the chosen + captain of the Hellenes only, but of many Asiatics. + </p> + <p> + And here we may pause and consider what a weight of admiration is due to + one who, being now ruler over countless cities of the continent, and + islands also (since the state had further entrusted the navy to his + hands), just when he had reached this pinnacle of renown and power, and + might look to turn to account his thronging fortunes; when, too, which + overtops all else, he was cherishing fond hopes to dissolve that empire + which in former days had dared to march on Hellas;—at such a moment + suffered himself not to be overmastered by these promptings, but on + receipt of a summons of the home authorities to come to the assistance of + the fatherland, obeyed the mandate of his state as readily (15) as though + he stood confronted face to face with the Five in the hall of ephors; and + thus gave clear proof that he would not accept the whole earth in exchange + for the land of his fathers, nor newly-acquired in place of ancient + friends, nor base gains ingloriously purchased rather than the perilous + pursuit of honour and uprightness. (16) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Cf. Hor. "Od." III. v. 50. + + (16) See Pindar, "Olymp." vi. 14. +</pre> + <p> + And, indeed, glancing back at the whole period during which he remained in + the exercise of his authority, no act of deeper significance in proof of + his kingly qualities need be named than this. He found the cities which he + was sent out to govern each and all a prey to factions, the result of + constitutional disturbances consequent on the cessation of the Athenian + empire, and without resort to exile or sanguinary measures he so disposed + them by his healing presence that civil concord and material prosperity + were permanently maintained. Therefore it was that the Hellenes in Asia + deplored his departure, (17) as though they had lost, not simply a ruler, + but a father or bosom friend, and in the end they showed that their + friendship was of no fictitious character. At any rate, they voluntarily + helped him to succour Lacedaemon, though it involved, as they knew, the + need of doing battle with combatants of equal prowess with themselves. So + the tale of his achievements in Asia has an end. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (17) See Plut. "Ages." xv. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <p> + He crossed the Hellespont and made his way through the very tribes + traversed by the Persian (1) with his multitudinous equipment in former + days, and the march which cost the barbarian a year was accomplished by + Agesilaus in less than a single month. He did not want to arrive a day too + late to serve his fatherland. And so passing through Macedonia he arrived + in Thessaly, and here the men of Larissa, Crannon, Scotussa, and + Pharsalus, who were allies of the Boeotians, and indeed all the + Thessalians, with the exception of those who were in exile at the time, + combined to dog his steps and do him damage. For a while he led his troops + in a hollow square, posting one half of his cavalry in the van and the + other half on his rear, but finding his march hindered by frequent attacks + of the Thessalians on his hindmost divisions, he sent round the mass of + his cavalry from the vanguard to support his rear, reserving only his + personal escort. (2) And now in battle order the rival squadrons faced + each other; when the Thessalians, not liking a cavalry engagement in face + of heavy infantry, wheeled and step by step retreated; their opponents + with much demureness following. Then Agesilaus, detecting the common error + under which both parties laboured, sent round his own bodyguard of + stalwart troopers with orders to their predecessors (an order they would + act upon themselves) to charge the enemy at full gallop and not give him a + chance to rally. The Thessalians, in face of this unexpected charge, + either could not so much as rally, or in the attempt to do so were caught + with their horses' flanks exposed to the enemy's attack. Polycharmus, the + Pharsalian, a commandant of cavalry, did indeed succeed in wheeling, but + was cut down with those about him sword in hand. This was the signal for a + flight so extraordinary that dead and dying lined the road, and the living + were captured wholesale, nor was a halt made until the pursuers reached + Mount Narthacius. Here, midway between Pras and Narthacius, Agesilaus + erected a trophy, and here for the moment he halted in unfeigned + satisfaction at his exploit, since it was from an antagonist boasting the + finest cavalry in the world that he had wrested victory with a body of + cavalry organised by himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) I.e. "Xerxes." + + (2) I.e. "the Three hundred." See Thuc. v. 72; "Pol. Lac." xiii. 6. +</pre> + <p> + Next day, crossing the mountain barrier of Achaea Phthiotis, his march lay + through friendly territory for the rest of the way as far as the frontiers + of Boeotia. Here he found the confederates drawn up in battle line. They + consisted of the Thebans, the Athenians, the Argives, the Corinthians, the + Aenianians, the Euboeans, and both divisions of the Locrians. (3) He did + not hesitate, but openly before their eyes drew out his lines to give them + battle. He had with him a division (4) and a half of Lacedaemonians, and + from the seat of war itself the allied troops of the Phocians and the men + of Orchomenus only, besides the armament which he had brought with him + from Asia. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See "Hell." IV. ii. 7. + + (4) Lit. "mora." +</pre> + <p> + I am not going to maintain that he ventured on the engagement in spite of + having far fewer and inferior forces. Such an assertion would only reveal + the senselessness of the general (5) and the folly of the writer who + should select as praiseworthy the reckless imperilling of mighty + interests. On the contrary, what I admire is the fact that he had taken + care to provide himself with an army not inferior to that of his enemy, + and had so equipped them that his cohorts literally gleamed with purple + and bronze. (6) He had taken pains to enable his soldiers to undergo the + fatigue of war, he had filled their breasts with a proud consciousness + that they were equal to do battle with any combatants in the world, and + what was more, he had infused a wholesome rivalry in those about him to + prove themselves each better than the rest. He had filled all hearts with + sanguine expectation of great blessings to descend on all, if they proved + themselves good men. Such incentives, he thought, were best calculated to + arouse enthusiasm in men's souls to engage in battle with the enemy. And + in this expectation he was not deceived. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Lit. "Agesilaus." + + (6) See "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1. +</pre> + <p> + I proceed to describe the battle, for in certain distinctive features it + differed from all the battles of our day. The contending forces met on the + plain of Coronea, Agesilaus and his troops approaching from the Cephisus, + the Thebans and their allies from the slopes of the Helicon. These masses + of infantry, as any eye might see, were of duly balanced strength, while + as near as could be the cavalry on either side was numerically the same. + Agesilaus held the right of his own army, and on his extreme left lay the + men of Orchomenus. On the opposite side the Thebans themselves formed + their own right and the Argives held their left. While the two armies + approached a deep silence prevailed on either side, but when they were now + a single furlong's (7) space apart the Thebans quickened to a run, and, + with a loud hurrah, dashed forward to close quarters. And now there was + barely a hundred yards (8) between them, when Herippidas, with his foreign + brigade, rushed forward from the Spartan's battle lines to meet them. This + brigade consisted partly of troops which had served with Agesilaus ever + since he left home, with a portion of the Cyreians, besides Ionians, + Aeolians, and their neighbours on the Hellespont. All these took part in + the forward rush of the attack just mentioned, and coming within + spear-thrust they routed that portion of the enemy in front of them. The + Argives did not even wait for Agesilaus and his division, but fled towards + Helicon, and at that moment some of his foreign friends were on the point + of crowning Agesilaus with the wreath of victory, when some one brought + him word that the Thebans had cut through the division from Orchomenus and + were busy with the baggage-train. Accordingly he at once deployed his + division and advanced by counter-march against them. The Thebans on their + side, seeing that their allies had scattered on Helicon, and eager to make + their way back to join their friends, began advancing sturdily. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Lit. "a stade." + + (8) Lit. "three plethra." +</pre> + <p> + To assert that Agesilaus at this crisis displayed real valour is to assert + a thing indisputable, but for all that the course he adopted was not the + safest. It was open to him to let the enemy pass in their effort to rejoin + their friends, and that done to have hung upon their heels and + overmastered their rear ranks, but he did nothing of the sort: what he did + was, to crash front to front against the Thebans. And so with shields + interlocked they shoved and fought and fought and shoved, dealing death + and yielding life. There was no shouting, nor yet was there even silence, + but a strange and smothered utterance, such as rage and battle vent. (9) + At last a portion of the Thebans forced their way through towards Helicon, + but many were slain in that departure. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "as the rage and fury of battle may give vent to." See + "Cyrop." VII. i. 38-40. A graphic touch omitted in "Hell." IV. + iii. 19. +</pre> + <p> + Victory remained with Agesilaus. Wounded himself, they bore him back to + his own lines, when some of his troopers came galloping up to tell him + that eighty of the enemy had taken refuge with their arms (10) under cover + of the Temple, (11) and they asked what they ought to do. He, albeit he + had received wounds all over him, having been the mark of divers weapons, + did not even so forget his duty to God, and gave orders to let them go + whithersoever they chose, nor suffered them to be ill-treated, but ordered + his bodyguard of cavalry to escort them out of reach of danger. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) I.e. "they had kept their arms." + + (11) See Plut. "Ages." xix.; Paus. ix. 34. +</pre> + <p> + And now that the battle had ceased, it was a sight to see where the + encounter took place, the earth bedabbled with gore, the dead lying cheek + by jowl, friend and foe together, and the great shields hacked and broken + to pieces, and the spears snapped asunder, the daggers lying bare of + sheaths, some on the ground, some buried in the bodies, some still + clutched in the dead men's hands. For the moment then, seeing that it was + already late in the day, they dragged together the corpses of their slain + apart from those of the enemy (12) and laid them within the lines, and + took their evening meal and slept; but early next morning Agesilaus + ordered Gylis, the polemarch, to marshal the troops in battle order and to + set up a trophy, while each man donned a wreath in honour of the god, and + the pipers piped. So they busied themselves, but the Thebans sent a herald + asking leave to bury their dead under cover of a truce. And so it came to + pass that a truce was made, and Agesilaus departed homewards, having + chosen, in lieu of supreme greatness in Asia, to rule, and to be ruled, in + obedience to the laws at home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) Reading, {tous ek ton polemion nekrous}, after Weiske. +</pre> + <p> + It was after this (13) that his attention was drawn to the men of Argos. + They had appropriated Corinth, and were reaping the fruits of their fields + at home. The war to them was a merry jest. Accordingly he marched against + them; and having ravaged their territory throughout, he crossed over by + the pass (14) down upon Corinth and captured the long walls leading to + Lechaeum. And so having thrown open the gates of Peloponnese he returned + home in time for the Hyacinthia, (15) where, in the post assigned to him + by the master of the chorus, he shared in the performance of the paean in + honour of the god. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) B.C. 393. + + (14) {kata ta stena}. See "Hell." IV. iv. 19. {kata Tenean}, according + to Koppen's emendation. + + (15) See Grote, "H. G." v. 208; Herod. ix. 7; "Hell." IV. v. 10. +</pre> + <p> + Later on, it being brought to his notice that the Corinthians were keeping + all their cattle safely housed in the Peiraeum, sowing the whole of that + district, and gathering in their crops; and, which was a matter of the + greatest moment, that the Boeotians, with Creusis as their base of + operations, could pour their succours into Corinth by this route—he + marched against Peiraeum. Finding it strongly guarded, he made as if the + city of Corinth were about to capitulate, and immediately after the + morning meal shifted his ground and encamped against the capital. Under + cover of night there was a rush from Peiraeum to protect the city, which + he was well aware of, and with break of day he turned right about and took + Peiraeum, defenceless as it lay, capturing all that it contained, with the + various fortresses within; and having so done retired homewards. + </p> + <p> + After these exploits (16) the Achaeans were urgent for an alliance, and + begged him to join them in an expedition against Acarnania. In the course + of this the Acarnanians attacked him in a defile. Storming the heights + above his head with his light troops, (17) he gave them battle, and slew + many of them, and set up a trophy, nor stayed his hand until he had united + the Acarnanians, the Aetolians, and the Argives, (18) in friendship with + the Achaeans and alliance with himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) B.C. 390-389? + + (17) See "Hell." IV. vi. 9-11, where it is expressly stated that the + action was won by the Spartan hoplites. See Hartman, "An. Xen." + (cap. xi. "De Agesilao libello"), p. 263, for other discrepancies + between the historian and the encomiast. + + (18) See perhaps "Hell." IV. iv. 19; vii. 2 foll. +</pre> + <p> + When the enemy, being desirous of peace, sent an embassy, it was Agesilaus + who spoke against the peace, (19) until he had forced the states of + Corinth and of Thebes to welcome back those of them who, for Lacedaemon's + sake, had suffered banishment. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) I.e. "of Antalcidas, B.C. 387." See "Hell." V. i. 36; Grote, "H. + G." ix. 537 note. +</pre> + <p> + And still later, (20) again, he restored the exiles of the Phliasians, who + had suffered in the same cause, and with that object marched in person + against Phlius, a proceeding which, however liable to censure on other + grounds, showed unmistakable attachment to his party. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) B.C. 383 and 380; see "Hell." V. ii. 10; iii. 10. + + (21) See "Hell." V. iii. 16. +</pre> + <p> + Thus, when the adverse faction had put to death those of the + Lacedaemonians then in Thebes, he brought succour to his friends, and + marched upon Thebes. (22) Finding the entire country fenced with ditch and + palisading, he crossed Cynoscephalae (23) and ravaged the district right + up to the city itself, giving the Thebans an opportunity of engaging him + in the plain or upon the hills, as they preferred. And once more, in the + ensuing year, (24) he marched against Thebes, and now surmounting these + palisades and entrenchments at Scolus, (25) he ravaged the remainder of + Boeotia. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) B.C. 378. + + (23) See "Hell." V. iv. 34 foll.; for the site see Breitenbach, ad + loc. + + (24) B.C. 377. + + (25) See "Hell." V. iv. 47. +</pre> + <p> + Hitherto fortune had smiled in common upon the king himself and upon his + city. And as for the disasters which presently befell, no one can maintain + that they were brought about under the leadership of Agesilaus. But the + day came when, after the disaster which had occurred at Leuctra, the rival + powers in conjunction with the Mantineans fell to massacring his friends + and adherents (26) in Tegea (the confederacy between all the states of + Boeotia, the Arcadians, and the Eleians being already an accomplished + fact). Thereupon, with the forces of Lacedaemon alone, (27) he took the + field, and thus belied the current opinion that it would be a long while + before the Lacedaemonians ventured to leave their own territory again. + Having ravaged the country of those who had done his friends to death, he + was content, and returned home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or intimates. + + (27) B.C. 370. See "Hell."VI. v. 21. +</pre> + <p> + After this Lacedaemon was invaded by the united Arcadians, Argives, + Eleians, and Boeotians, who were assisted by the Phocians, both sections + of the Locrians, the Thessalians, Aenianians, Acarnanians, and Euboeans; + moreover, the slaves had revolted and several of the provincial cities; + (28) while of the Spartans themselves as many had fallen on the field of + Leuctra as survived. But in spite of all, he safely guarded the city, and + that too a city without walls and bulwarks. Forbearing to engage in the + open field, where the gain would lie wholly with the enemy, he lay stoutly + embattled on ground where the citizens must reap advantage; since, as he + doggedly persisted, to march out meant to be surrounded on every side; + whereas to stand at bay where every defile gave a coign of vantage, would + give him mastery complete. (29) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) Lit. "perioecid"; see Plut. "Ages." xxxii. (Clough, iv. 39); + "Hell." VI. v. 32. + + (29) Is this parallel to "Hell." VII. v. 10, or "Hell." VI. v. 28? + According to the historian, Agesilaus adopted similar tactics on + both occasions (in B.C. 369 and B.C. 362 alike). The encomiast + after his manner appears to treat them as one. Once and again his + hero "cunctando restituit rem," but it was by the same strategy. +</pre> + <p> + After the invading army had retired, no one will gainsay the sound sense + of his behaviour. Old age debarred him from active service on foot or + horse, and what the city chiefly needed now, he saw, was money, if she + looked to gain allies. To the task therefore of providing that he set + himself. Everything that could be done by stopping at home he deftly + turned his hand to; or when the call arose and he could better help his + country by departure he had no false pride; he set off on foreign service, + not as general, but as ambassador. Yet on such embassy he achieved acts + worthy of the greatest general. Autophradates (30) was besieging + Ariobarzanes, (31) who was an ally of Sparta, in Assos; but before the + face of Agesilaus he fled in terror and was gone. Cotys, (32) besieging + Sestos, which still adhered to Ariobarzanes, broke up the siege and + departed crestfallen. Well might the ambassador have set up a trophy in + commemoration of the two bloodless victories. Once more, Mausolus (33) was + besieging both the above-named places with a squadron of one hundred sail. + He too, like, and yet unlike, the former two, yielded not to terror but to + persuasion, and withdrew his fleet. These, then, were surely admirable + achievements, since those who looked upon him as a benefactor and those + who fled from before him both alike made him the richer by their gifts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (30) Satrap of Lydia. + + (31) Satrap of Propontis or Hellespontine Phrygia. + + (32) Satrap of Paphlagonia, king of Thrace. Iphicrates married his + daughter. See Grote, "H. G." x. 410. + + (33) Satrap of Caria. +</pre> + <p> + Tachos, (34) indeed, and Mausolus gave him a magnificent escort; and, for + the sake of his former friendship with Agesilaus, the latter contributed + also money for the state of Lacedaemon; and so they sped him home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (34) King of Egypt. +</pre> + <p> + And now the weight of, may be, fourscore years was laid upon him, (35) + when it came under his observation that the king of Egypt, (36) with his + hosts of foot and horse and stores of wealth, had set his heart on a war + with Persia. Joyfully he learned that he himself was summoned by King + Tachos, and that the command-in-chief of all the forces was promised to + him. By this one venture he would achieve three objects, which were to + requite the Egyptian for the benefits conferred on Lacedaemon; to liberate + the Hellenes in Asia once again; and to inflict on the Persian a just + recompense, not only for the old offences, but for this which was of + to-day; seeing that, while boasting alliance with Sparta, he had + dictatorially enjoined the emancipation of Messene. (37) But when the man + who had summoned him refused to confer the proffered generalship, + Agesilaus, like one on whom a flagrant deception has been practised, began + to consider the part he had to play. Meanwhile a separate division (38) of + the Egyptian armies held aloof from their king. Then, the disaffection + spreading, all the rest of his troops deserted him; whereat the monarch + took flight and retired in exile to Sidon in Phoenicia, leaving the + Egyptians, split in faction, to choose to themselves a pair of kings. (39) + Thereupon Agesilaus took his decision. If he helped neither, it meant that + neither would pay the service-money due to his Hellenes, that neither + would provide a market, and that, whichever of the two conquered in the + end, Sparta would be equally detested. But if he threw in his lot with one + of them, that one would in all likelihood in return for the kindness prove + a friend. Accordingly he chose between the two that one who seemed to be + the truer partisan of Hellas, and with him marched against the enemy of + Hellas and conquered him in a battle, crushing him. His rival he helped to + establish on the throne, and having made him a friend to Lacedaemon, and + having acquired vast sums besides, he turned and set sail homewards, even + in mid-winter, hastening so that Sparta might not lie inactive, but + against the coming summer be alert to confront the foe. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) Or, "But to pass on, he was already, may be, eighty years of age, + when it came under his observation...." + + (36) This same Tachos. + + (37) See "Hell." VII. i. 36; iv. 9. + + (38) I.e. "the army under Nectanebos." See Diod. xv. 92; Plut. "Ages." + xxxvii. (Clough, iv. 44 foll.) + + (39) I.e. "Nectanebos and a certain Mendesian." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <p> + Such, then, is the chronicle of this man's achievements, or of such of + them as were wrought in the presence of a thousand witnesses. Being of + this sort they have no need of further testimony; the mere recital of them + is sufficient, and they at once win credence. But now I will endeavour to + reveal the excellence indwelling in his soul, the motive power of his + acts, in virtue of which he clung to all things honourable and thrust + aside all baseness. + </p> + <p> + Agesilaus showed such reverence for things divine that even his enemies + regarded his oaths and solemn treaties as more to be relied on than the + tie of friendship amongst themselves. These same men, who would shrink + from too close intercourse with one another, delivered themselves into the + hands of Agesilaus without fear. And lest the assertion should excite + discredit, I may name some illustrious examples. Such was Spithridates the + Persian, who knew that Pharnabazus, (1) whilst negotiating to marry the + daughter of the great king, was minded to seize his own daughter unwedded. + Resenting such brutality, Spithridates delivered up himself, his wife, his + children, and his whole power, into the hands of Agesilaus. Cotys (2) + also, the ruler of Paphlagonia, had refused to obey a summons from the + king, although he sent him the warrant of his right hand; (3) then fear + came upon him lest he should be seized, and either be heavily fined or die + the death; yet he too, simply trusting to an armistice, came to the camp + of Agesilaus and made alliance, and of his own accord chose to take the + field with Agesilaus, bringing a thousand horsemen and two thousand + targeteers. Lastly, Pharnabazus (4) himself came and held colloquy with + Agesilaus, and openly agreed that if he were not himself appointed + general-in-chief of the royal forces he would revolt from the king. + "Whereas, if I do become general," he added, "I mean to make war upon you, + Agesilaus, might and main," thus revealing his confidence that, say what + he might, nothing would befall him contrary to the terms of truce. Of so + intrinsic a value to all, and not least to a general in the field, is the + proud possession of an honest and God-fearing character, known and + recognised. Thus far, as touching the quality of piety. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Hell." III. iv. 10; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 9). + + (2) See "Hell." IV. i. 3; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 13). + + (3) Diod. xvi. 34. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 37. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <p> + To speak next of his justice (1) in affairs of money. As to this, what + testimony can be more conclusive than the following? During the whole of + his career no charge of fraudulent dealing was ever lodged against + Agesilaus; against which set the many-voiced acknowledgment of countless + benefits received from him. A man who found pleasure in giving away his + own for the benefit of others was not the man to rob another of his goods + at the price of infamy. Had he suffered from this thirst for riches it + would have been easier to cling to what belonged to him than to take that + to which he had no just title. This man, who was so careful to repay debts + of gratitude, where (2) the law knows no remedy against defaulters, was + not likely to commit acts of robbery which the law regards as criminal. + And as a matter of act Agesilaus judged it not only wrong to forgo + repayment of a deed of kindness, but, where the means were ample, wrong + also not to repay such debts with ample interest. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Muller and Donaldson, "Hist. Gk. Lit." ii. 196, note 2. + + (2) Or, "a state of indebtedness beyond the reach of a tribunal." See + "Cyrop." I. ii. 7. +</pre> + <p> + The charge of embezzlement, could it be alleged, would no less outrage all + reason in the case of one who made over to his country the benefit in full + of grateful offerings owed solely to himself. Indeed the very fact that, + when he wished to help the city or his friends with money, he might have + done so by the aid of others, goes a long way to prove his indifference to + the lure of riches; since, had he been in the habit of selling his favour, + or of playing the part of benefactor for pay, there had been no room for a + sense of indebtedness. (3) It is only the recipient of gratuitous kindness + who is ever ready to minister to his benefactor, both in return for the + kindness itself and for the confidence implied in his selection as the + fitting guardian of a good deed on deposit. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "no one would have felt to owe him anything." + + (4) See "Cyrop." VI. i. 35; Rutherford, "New Phrynichus," p. 312. +</pre> + <p> + Again, who more likely to put a gulf impassable between himself and the + sordid love of gain (5) than he, who nobly preferred to be stinted of his + dues (6) rather than snatch at the lion's share unjustly? It is a case in + point that, being pronounced by the state to be the rightful heir to his + brother's (7) wealth, he made over one half to his maternal relatives + because he saw that they were in need; and to the truth of this assertion + all Lacedaemon is witness. What, too, was his answer to Tithraustes when + the satrap offered him countless gifts if he would but quit the + country?"Tithraustes, with us it is deemed nobler for a ruler to enrich + his army than himself; it is expected of him to wrest spoils from the + enemy rather than take gifts." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "base covetousness." + + (6) Or reading, {sun auto to gennaio} (with Breitenbach), "in + obedience to pure generosity." See "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 38. + + (7) I.e. Agis. See Plut. "Ages." iv. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <p> + Or again, reviewing the divers pleasures which master human beings, I defy + any one to name a single one to which Agesilaus was enslaved: Agesilaus, + who regarded drunkenness as a thing to hold aloof from like madness, and + immoderate eating like the snare of indolence. Even the double portion (1) + allotted to him at the banquet was not spent on his own appetite; rather + would he make distribution of the whole, retaining neither portion for + himself. In his view of the matter this doubling of the king's share was + not for the sake of surfeiting, but that the king might have the + wherewithal to honour whom he wished. And so, too, sleep (2) he treated + not as a master, but as a slave, subservient to higher concerns. The very + couch he lay upon must be sorrier than that of any of his company or he + would have blushed for shame, since in his opinion it was the duty of a + leader to excel all ordinary mortals in hardihood, not in effeminacy. Yet + there were things in which he was not ashamed to take the lion's share, + as, for example, the sun's heat in summer, or winter's cold. Did occasion + ever demand of his army moil and toil, he laboured beyond all others as a + thing of course, believing that such ensamples are a consolation to the + rank and file. Or, to put the patter compendiously, Agesilaus exulted in + hard work: indolence he utterly repudiated. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 4. See J. J. Hartman, "An. Xen." 257. + + (2) See Hom. "Il." ii. 24, {ou khro pannukhion eudein boulephoron + andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a + counsellor."—W. Leaf. +</pre> + <p> + And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any rate + for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to be put on + record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which excites no + desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son of + Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate soul may + feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom among the + Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss, Megabates + endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much show of + battle, resisted—"No kiss might he accept." (3) I ask whether such + an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of the man, + and that of no vulgar order. (4) Megabates, who looked upon himself as in + some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not to offend in like + sort again. (5) Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one who was his comrade to + persuade Megabates again to honour him with his regard; and the comrade, + so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade him, will you bestow on him a + kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence, but presently exclaimed: "No, by the + Twins, not if I might this very instant become the swiftest-footed, + strongest, and handsomest of men. (6) And as to that battle I swear by all + the gods I would far rather fight it over again than that everything on + which I set my eyes might turn to gold." (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.) + + (4) Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect," + "a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive." + + (5) Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses." + + (6) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been + a little man of a contemptible presence." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid. + "Met." xi. 102 foll. +</pre> + <p> + What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but for + myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their enemeis than + the foes we speak of. (8) Doubtless such incidents when known to but few + may well be discredited by many, but here we are in the region of + establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a man is the less can + his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no eye-witness has ever + reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he invented it, would his tale + have found credence, since it was not the habit of the king, when abroad, + to lodge apart in private houses. He always lay up in some sacred place, + where behaviour of the sort was out of the question, or else in public, + with the eyes of all men liable to be called as witnesses to his sobriety. + For myself, if I make these statements falsely against the knowledge of + Hellas, this were not in any sense to praise my hero, but to dispraise + myself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Or, "than the seductions in question." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <p> + Nor, in my opinion, were those obscure proofs of courage and true + manliness which he furnished by his readiness ever to wage war against the + strongest enemies, whether of Sparta or of Hellas, placing himself in the + forefront of the contests decided on. If the enemy cared to join issue in + fair field he would not chance upon a victory won by panic, but in + stubborn battle, blow for blow, he mastered him; and set up trophies + worthy of the name, seeing that he left behind him imperishable monuments + of prowess, and bore away on his own body indelible marks of the fury with + which he fought; (1) so that, apart from hearsay, by the evidence of men's + eyes his valour stood approved. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "visible signs of the spirit," etc. See Plut. "Ages." xxxvi. +</pre> + <p> + And amongst these we must not deem them trophies alone which he actually + set up, but reckon the many campaigns which he undertook, since they were + victories truly, even when the enemy refused to encounter him, victories + devoid of danger, yet fraught with even more solid advantage to the state + of Sparta and her fellow-combatants; just as in our games we crown as + victor him who walks over the field (2) no less than him who conquers by + dint of battle. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "without striking a blow." Lit. "without the dust of the + arena, 'sine pulvere.'" See Thuc. iv. 73, {akoniti}. +</pre> + <p> + And to speak next of his wisdom, (3) I suppose there is not one of all his + doings but must illustrate it;—this man whose bearing towards his + fatherland was such that by dint of implicit obedience (he grew to so + greate a height of power), (4) whose zeal in the service of his comrades + won for him the unhesitating attachment of his friends, who infused into + the hearts of his soldiers a spirit, not of discipline only, but of + self-devotion to their chief. And yet surely that is the strongest of all + battle-lines (5) in which obedience creates tactical efficiency, and + alacrity in the field springs out of loyal affection for the general. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "his sagacity." + + (4) The words {pleiston iskhue} are supplied from Plutarch ("Ages." + iv.), who quotes the passage, "What Xenophon tells us of him, that + by complying with, and, as it were, ruled by his country, he grew + into such great power with them, that he could do what he pleased, + is meant," etc. (Clough, iv. p. 4). The lacuna in the MS. was + first noted, I believe, by Weiske. See Breitenbach's note ad loc. + + (5) See "Cyrop." VII. i. 30; "Econ." xxi. 7. +</pre> + <p> + Enemies he had to cope with, who had little excuse to disparage, however + much they might be compelled to hate their opponent, seeing that he was + for ever contriving to give his allies some advantage over them—by + sheer deception, if occasion offered; now anticipating them if speed were + requisite; now skulking in corners if concealment served; in all points + observing one rule of behaviour to his friends and another towards his + foes. By turning night into day and day into night (6) he drew so close a + veil of mystery over his movements that frequently there was no saying + where he was, or whither he would go, or what he might do next. The + fastnesses of the enemy he transformed into so many weaknesses, (7) + passing this one by, and scaling that, and stealing like a thief into a + third. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (6) See "Hell." VI. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." v. 7; "Cyrop." I. v. 12. + + (7) Or, "the strongholds of the enemy might to all intents and + purposes have been open places." +</pre> + <p> + When he was on the march, and was well aware that an enemy might, if he + chose, deliver battle, his habit was to lead his troops in compact battle + order ready to confront emergencies, with soft, slow step, advancing, as + it were, with maidenly demureness, (8) for in such procedure, as he + believed, lay the secret of true calm, engendering a dauntless + self-assurance, imperturbable, unerring, impervious to treacherous + assault. Therefore by such behaviour he was a terror to the enemy, whilst + he infused courage and strength in the hearts of his friends, so that + throughout his life he continued to be a man whom his foes dared not + despise, whom his fellow-citizens cared not to arraign, within the circle + of his friends held blameless, the idol and admiration of the outer world. + (9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) See above, ii. 3; "Pol. Lac." iii. 5. + + (9) Cf. Tacitus's phrase concerning Titus, "deliciae humani generis." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII + </h2> + <p> + To describe his patriotism (1) point by point in detail were a tedious + story, since, as I suppose, there is not one of his several achievements + but must finally resolve itself into that. For, to put it briefly, we all + know well that where Agesilaus expected in any way to benefit his country + there was no toil he shrank from, no danger he avoided, no money he + stinted, no excuse whether of age or body he admitted, but deemed it ever + the true function of a good king (2) to shower blessings to the utmost on + the subjects of his rule. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Lit. "love for his own city." + + (2) Or, "regarded it as the cardinal virtue of a real prince." See + "Mem." III. ii. 3. +</pre> + <p> + And for my part I hold it as chief among the magnificent benefits so + conferred by him upon his country that, being the most powerful member of + the state, he made no secret of his absolute submission to the laws, (3) + since what lesser man, seeing the king's obedience, would take (4) on + himself to disobey? Who, in discontentment at his own poor lot, would + venture on revolution, knowing that the king himself could condescend to + constitutional control? And that, too, a king who bore himself towards + political opponents with a paternal mildness. (5) If he rebuked them + sharply for their misdemeanours, he none the less honoured their high + endeavours, and proved himself a present help to them in time of trouble. + (6) No citizen could be his personal foe; of that he was assured. His + desire was to commend them one and all alike, counting the common + salvation of all a gain, and reckoning it as a loss if even a mean man + perished. For thus he reasoned, nor made a secret of the conclusion he had + come to: so long as her citizens continued tranquilly adherent to the laws + the happiness of Sparta was secure. (7) And for the rest Sparta would once + again be strong on that day when the states of Hellas should learn wisdom. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Or, "he was at the same time the most obvious in his allegiance to + the laws." + + (4) Lit. "would have taken on himself... would have ventured on + revolution." + + (5) Lit. "as a father to his children." + + (6) Or, "and was ready to stand by their side in time of trouble." + + (7) Or, "For this was the clear tenor of his thought, that by tranquil + continuance within the laws the citizens of Sparta might secure + her happiness. And as to power, Sparta, etc." See "Mem." II. vi. + 27. +</pre> + <p> + And if, by admission, it is noble for every Hellene to be a lover of his + fellow-Hellenes, yet we must fare far afield to find another instance of a + general who, expecting to sack some city, would have refused to seize the + prize; or who regarded victory in a war waged against fellow-Hellenes as a + species of calamity. Yet this man when a message was brought him + concerning the battle at Corinth, (8) in which but eight Lacedaemonians + had fallen, but of their opponents ten thousand nearly, showed no sign of + exultation, but sighed, saying, "Alas for Hellas! since those who now lie + in their graves, were able, had they lived, to conquer the hosts of Asia." + (9) Again, when some Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was + ripe for surrender, and showed him the engines by which they were + confident they would take the walls, he refused to make the assault, + saying that Hellene cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought + back to a better mind, (10) and added, "For if we lop off our offending + members, haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the + barbarians." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G." + ix. 429. + + (9) Lit. "all the barbarians." + + (10) See "Econ." i. 23. +</pre> + <p> + Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out on a + campaign to enslave Hellas; the Persian, who to-day makes alliance with + these (no matter to him which the party, provided it will help him to work + the greater mischief (11)); or gives presents to those (who will take them + and do the greatest harm to his foes the Hellenes); or else concocts a + peace that shall presently involve us in internecine war, as he + anticipates:—but why dwell on facts so patent? —I ask, did + ever Hellene before Agesilaus so enter heart and soul upon his duty; + whether it were to help some tribe to throw off the Persian yoke, or to + save from destruction a revolted district, or if nothing else, at any rate + to saddle the Persian with such troubles of his own that he should cease + to trouble Hellas? An ardent hater of Persia surely was he, who, when his + own country was at war with Hellenes, did not neglect the common good of + Hellas, but set sail to wreak what harm he might upon the barbarians. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Or, "the worse the mischief he can work, the better the side." + + (12) See Isocr. "Ep." ix. "To Archidamus," S. 11-14. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII + </h2> + <p> + To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims more + than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was vouchsafed and + power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his hands the sceptre + of sovereignty—a kingship not plotted against, but respected and + beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen in him, but of + tender affection and courteous service to his friends proof in abundance + without seeking. Witness the zest with which he shared in the round of + lovers' talk; (1) the zeal with which he threw himself into the serious + concerns (2) of friends. By dint of a hopeful and cheery disposition and + unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to his side a throng of visitors, + who came, not simply for the transaction of some private interest, but + rather to pass away the day in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to + use high-swelling words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding + their own praises, which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at + least of high endeavour (3) in the future. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut. + "Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx. + + (2) Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of + his friends." + + (3) Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood." +</pre> + <p> + But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season must + not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king (I speak + of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company with Calleas (4) + of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and friendship with the + Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it, telling the bearer to take + back to the king this answer: "He need not be at pains to send him letters + in private, but if he could prove himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the + well-wisher of Hellas he should have no cause to blame the ardour of his + friendship," but added, "if your king be detected plotting, let him not + think to find a friend in me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." + For my part, then, I hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with + pleasing his fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, + too, among his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to + self-congratulation belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many + legions, but to him rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the + allegiance of better followers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H. + G." x. 402. +</pre> + <p> + And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. Holding + to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted from the king + the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself to be seduced, + either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power, to be drawn into bonds + of friendship with the king, but took precaution rather not to abuse their + confidence who were willing to revolt. + </p> + <p> + And lastly, as beyond all controversy admirable, note this contrast: + First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches he + had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept into his + coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, and him + alone, the costliest and most precious things of earth. And then this + other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to be totally + independent of every adventitious aid. (5) And if any one doubts the + statement, let him look and see with what manner of dwelling-place he was + contented; let him view the palace doors: these are the selfsame doors, he + might well imagine, which Aristodemus, (6) the great-great-grandson of + Heracles, took and set up in the days of the return. Let him endeavour to + view the furniture inside; there he will perceive how the king feasted on + high holy days; and he will hear how the king's own daughter was wont to + drive to Amyclae in a public basket-carriage. (7) Thus it was that by the + adjustment of expenditure to income he was never driven to the commission + of any unjust deed for money's sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold + a fortress impregnable to attack, I count it a greater glory that a man + should hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of + riches, pleasures, fears. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "of all such external needs." + + (6) See Herod. vi. 52. + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words {e thugater + autou} were supplied from this passage by Casaubon. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX + </h2> + <p> + I will here state to what extent the style of living which he presented + stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner of the Persian. + (1) In the first place, if the latter made a solemn affectation of being + but seldom seen, Agesilaus delighted to live in the eye of day, believing + that seclusion might accord well enough as a screen for shameless conduct, + but to a life of nobleness and beauty (2) heaven's light added new + ornament. (3) And next, if the one prided himself on being unapproachable, + the other rejoiced in being accessible to all the world; the one, with his + airs and graces, was pleased to transact business slowly, the other was + never so happy as when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner + without waste of time. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false + pretences of the Persian." For {alazoneia} see "Mem." I. vii. 1; + Aristot. "N. E." iv. 7; Theophr. "Char." vi. + + (2) Lit. "a life striving towards beauteousness." + + (3) Or, "added but greater lustre." + + (4) Lit. "could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay." +</pre> + <p> + Again, it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to satisfy + was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at. (5) For the + Persian, men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage which he + will care to drink; he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to supply the + kick-shaws he will deign to eat; and to procure him the blessing of sleep + no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must be taken. But + Agesilaus was a lover of toil, and therefore not so dainty; the meanest + beverage was sweet to his lips, and pleasant enough to his taste was the + chance fare of the moment; and for the purpose of refreshing slumber every + place alike conducive. It was not merely that to fare thus gave him pure + pleasure, but in the sense of contrast lay a double satisfaction. Here was + he roaming earth freely in the midst of a world of delight, (6) and there + lay the Persian, under his eyes, who to escape a life of pain must drag + together from the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for + his pleasure. It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to + confront the appointed order of the universe (7) without pain; while + through weakness of soul his rival, it was plain to see, was driven to + flee away from heat and cold, and to shape his life, not by the pattern of + brave men, but of some mean and defenceless animal. (8) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See Herod. i. 135, for the luxury of the Persians and for the + refinements of civilisation. See "Mem." II. i. 10; "Cyrop." VIII. + i. 40. + + (6) Or, "in a round of festivity." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xiv. (Clough, iv. p. 17); "Apophth. Lac." p. + 102; Eur. "Supp." 214, 215. + + {de ou truphomen, theou kataskeuen bio + dontos toiauten, oisin ouk arkei tade}; + + (8) Or, "the most defenceless of God's creatures." Lit. "the weakest + of animals." +</pre> + <p> + And what a fine trait this was in him, and betokening how lofty a + sentiment, that, being content to adorn his own house with works and + possessions suited to a man, and being devoted to the breeding of dogs and + horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare, he persuaded his sister + Cynisca to rear chariot horses, (9) and thus by her victory (10) showed + that to keep a stud of that sort, however much it might be a mark of + wealth, was hardly a proof of manly virtue. And surely in the following + opinion we may discern plainly the generosity of him who entertained it. + To win victories over private persons in a chariot race does not add one + tittle to a man's renown. He, rather, who holds his city dear beyond all + things else, who has himself sunk deep into the heart of her affections, + who has obtained to himself all over the world a host of friends and those + the noblest, who can outdo his country and comrades alike in the race of + kindliness, and his antagonists in vengeance—such a man may, in a + true sense, be said to bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble + and magnificent; living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) I.e. "for the games." + + (10) I.e. "at Olympia." Cynisca, according to Pausanias (iii. 8), was + the first woman who won a prize at Olympia. See also Plut. "Ages." + xx. (Clough, iv. p. 23). +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X + </h2> + <p> + It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus. And + in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure and + thereby becomes wealthier, albeit none the more skilful in economy; nor + yet like him who, when a plague has fallen upon an enemy, wrests a + victory, whereby he may add to his reputation for success, but not for + strategy. Rather was his example that of one who in each emergency will + take the lead; at a crisis where toil is needful, by endurance; or in the + battle-lists of bravery by prowess; or when the function of the counsellor + is uppermost, by the soundness of his judgment. Of such a man I say, he + has obtained by warrant indefeasible the title peerless. + </p> + <p> + And if, as a means towards good workmanship, we count among the noble + inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet, (1) no less happily shall + we, who desire to attain a manly excellence, find in the virtue of + Agesilaus a pattern and example. He was God-fearing, he was just in all + his dealings, sound of soul and self-controlled. How then shall we who + imitate him become his opposite, unholy, unjust, tyrannical, licentious? + And, truth to say, this man prided himself, not so much on being a king + over others as on ruling himself, (2) not so much on leading his citizens + to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace all virtue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. + + (2) See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. +</pre> + <p> + Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished life, + that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral hymn. (3) Far + rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the first place it is + only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale familiar to his ears + when living. And in the next place, what is more remote from dirge and + lamentation than a life of glory crowned by seasonable death? What more + deserving of song and eulogy than resplendent victories and deeds of + highest note? Surely if one man rather than another may be accounted truly + blest, it is he who, from his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and + beyond all contemporary names won what he desired; who, being gifted with + a nature most emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king + unconquered; who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without + offence (4) committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he + marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. + + (4) As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. + ad x. 4 of his edition. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI + </h2> + <p> + It only remains for me, under the form of headings, (1) to review the + topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may cling + to the memory more lastingly. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, as others think, "in a summary." +</pre> + <p> + Agesilaus reverenced the shrines and sacred places even of the enemy. We + ought, he said, to make the gods our allies on hostile no less than on + friendly soil. + </p> + <p> + He would do no violence to a suppliant, no, not even if he were his own + foe; since how irrational must it be to stigmatise robbers of temples as + sacrilegious and yet to regard him who tears the suppliant from the altar + as a pious person. + </p> + <p> + One tenet he never wearied of repeating: the gods, he said, are not less + pleased with holy deeds than with pure victims. + </p> + <p> + In the day of his prosperity his thoughts were not raised higher than + befits a man; he gave thanks to the gods; and offered more victims when he + had nothing to fear than he registered vows in time of apprehension. + </p> + <p> + He was accustomed in the midst of anxiety to wear an aspect of gaiety, + but, when the victory was won, of gentleness. + </p> + <p> + Amongst friends his warmest greeting was reserved, not for the most + powerful, but for the most ardent; and if he hated, it was not him who, + being evil entreated, retaliated, but one who, having had kindness done to + him, seemed incapable of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + He rejoiced when sordid greed was rewarded with poverty; and still more if + he might himself enrich a righteous man, since his wish was to render + uprightness more profitable than iniquity. + </p> + <p> + He made it a practice to associate with all kinds of people, but to be + intimate only with the best. + </p> + <p> + As he listened to the praise of this man, or the censure of another, he + felt that he learnt quite as much about the character of the speakers + themselves as of those whom they discussed. + </p> + <p> + To be cheated by a friend was scarcely censurable, but he could find no + condemnation strong enough for him who was outwitted by a foe. Or again, + to dupe the incredulous might argue wit, but to take in the unsuspecting + was veritably a crime. + </p> + <p> + The praise of a critic who had courage to point out his defects pleased + him; and plainness of speech excited in him no hostility. It was against + the cunning rather of the secretive person that he guarded himself, as + against a hidden snare. + </p> + <p> + The calumniator he detested more than the robber or the thief, in + proportion as the loss of friends is greater than the loss of money. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Mr. R. W. Taylor aptly quotes "Othello," III. iii. 157— + + "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; + 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; + But he that filches from me my good name + Robs me of that which not enriches him + And makes me poor indeed." +</pre> + <p> + The errors of private persons he bore with gently, but those of rulers he + looked upon as grave; since the mischief wrought in the one case was so + small, and so large in the other. The proper attribute of royalty was, he + maintained, not an avoidance of responsibility, but a constant striving + after nobleness. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) On the word {kalokagathia} so translated, see Demosth. 777, 5. +</pre> + <p> + Whilst he would not suffer any image (4) of his bodily form to be set up + (though many wished to present him with a statue), he never ceased + elaborating what should prove the monument of his spirit, holding that the + former is the business of a statuary, the latter of one's self. Wealth + might procure the one, he said, but only a good man could produce the + other. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2); also Plut. "Ap. Lac." p. + 115; ib. p. 103; Cic. "ad Div." V. xii. 7. +</pre> + <p> + As for riches, he employed them not with justice merely, but with + liberality, holding that for a just man it is sufficient if he let alone + the things of others, but of a liberal man it is required that he should + take of his own and give to supply another's needs. + </p> + <p> + He was ever subject to religious fear, (5) believing that no man during + his lifetime, however well he lives, can be counted happy; it is only he + who has ended his days with glory of whom it can be said that he has + attained at last to blessedness. (6) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See "Cyr." III. iii. 58, and for the word {deisidaimon}, see Jebb, + "Theophr. Char." p. 263 foll.; Mr. Ruskin, Preface to "Bibl. + Past." vol. i. p. xxv. + + (6) See Herod. i. 34; Soph. "Oed. Tyr." 1529; and Prof. Jebb's note ad + loc. +</pre> + <p> + In his judgment it was a greater misfortune to neglect things good and + virtuous, knowing them to be so, than in ignorance. Nor was he enamoured + of any reputation, the essentials of which he had not laboriously + achieved. (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Or, "for which he did not qualify himself by the appropriate + labour." +</pre> + <p> + He was one of the small band, as it seemed to me, who regard virtue, not + as a thing to be patiently endured, (8) but as a supreme enjoyment. At any + rate, to win the praise of mankind gave him a deeper pleasure than the + acquisition of wealth; and he preferred to display courage far rather in + conjunction with prudence than with unnecessary risks, and to cultivate + wisdom in action more than by verbal discussion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Or, "as a system of stoical endurance," "a kind of stoicism." But + we must not let Xenophon, who is a Socratic, talk of the Stoa. If + we knew certainly that the chapter was a much later production, + the language would be appropriate enough. +</pre> + <p> + Very gentle to his friends, to his enemies he was most terrible. Whilst he + could hold out against toil and trouble with the best, nothing pleased him + better than yielding to his comrades. But passion was kindled in him by + beauty of deed rather than of person. (9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "beauteous deeds rather than bodily splendour." +</pre> + <p> + Skilled in the exercise of self-command in the midst of external welfare, + he could be stout of heart enough in stress of danger. + </p> + <p> + Urbanity he practised, not with jest and witticism, but by the courtesy of + his demeanour. + </p> + <p> + In spite of a certain haughtiness, he was never overbearing, but rich in + saving common sense. At any rate, while pouring contempt upon arrogance, + he bore himself more humbly than the most ordinary man. In fact, what he + truly took a pride in was the simplicity of his own attire, in contrast + with the splendid adornment of his troops; or, again, in the paucity of + his own wants, combined with a bountiful liberality towards his friends. + </p> + <p> + Besides all this, as an antagonist he could hit hard enough, but no one + ever bore a lighter hand when the victory was won. (10) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) Lit. "he was the heaviest of antagonists and the lightest of + conquerors." +</pre> + <p> + The same man, whom an enemy would have found it hard to deceive, was + pliability itself in the concerns of his friends. Whilst for ever occupied + in laying these on a secure foundation, he made it a ceaseless task to + baffle the projects of the national foe. + </p> + <p> + The epithets applied to him are significant. His relatives found in him a + kinsman who was more than kind. To his intimates he appeared as a friend + in need who is a friend indeed. To the man who had done him some service, + of tenacious memory. To the victim of injustice, a knight-errant. And to + those who had incurred danger by his side, a saviour second only to the + gods. + </p> + <p> + It was given to this man, as it appears to me, to prove exceptionally that + though strength of body may wax old the vigour of a man's soul is exempt + from eld. Of him, at any rate, it is true that he never shrank from the + pursuit of great and noble objects, so long as (11) his body was able to + support the vigour of his soul. Therefore his old age appeared mightier + than the youth of other people. It would be hard to discover, I imagine, + any one who in the prime of manhood was as formidable to his foes as + Agesilaus when he had reached the limit of mortal life. Never, I suppose, + was there a foeman whose removal came with a greater sense of relief to + the enemy than that of Agesilaus, though a veteran when he died. Never was + there a leader who inspired stouter courage in the hearts of + fellow-combatants than this man with one foot planted in the grave. Never + was a young man snatched from a circle of loving friends with tenderer + regret than this old graybeard. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Reading, {megalon kai kalon ephiemenos, eos kai to soma, k.t.l.} + See Breitenbach. +</pre> + <p> + The benefactor of his fatherland, absolutely to the very end; with + bounteous hand, even in the arms of death, dealing out largesse (12) to + the city which he loved. And so they bore him home to his eternal + resting-place; (13) this hero, who, having raised to himself many a + monument of his valour over the broad earth, came back to find in the land + of his fathers a sepulture worthy of a king. (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) See above, ii. 31. + + (13) See for this remarkable phrase, Diod. i. 51. + + (14) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 9. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Agesilaus, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGESILAUS *** + +***** This file should be named 1169-h.htm or 1169-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/6/1169/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> diff --git a/old/1169.txt b/old/1169.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..834d06f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1169.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2003 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Agesilaus, by Xenophon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Agesilaus + +Author: Xenophon + +Translator: H. G. Dakyns + +Posting Date: August 13, 2008 [EBook #1169] +Release Date: January, 1998 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGESILAUS *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers + + + + + +AGESILAUS + +By Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + + + + + Dedicated To + Rev. B. Jowett, M.A. + Master of Balliol College + Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford + + + + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Agesilaus summarises the life of his Spartan + friend and king, whom he met after the events of + the Anabasis. + + + + + +PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + + +AGESILAUS + + + + +An Encomium + + The date of Agesilaus's death is uncertain--360 B.C. (Grote, + "H. G." ix. 336); 358 B.C. (Curt. iv. 196, Eng. tr.) + + + + +I + +To write the praises of Agesilaus in language equalling his virtue and +renown is, I know, no easy task; yet must it be essayed; since it were +but an ill requital of pre-eminence, that, on the ground of his +perfection, a good man should forfeit the tribute even of imperfect +praise. + +As touching, therefore, the excellency of his birth, what weightier, +what nobler testimony can be adduced than this one fact? To the +commemorative list of famous ancestry is added to-day the name (1) +Agesilaus as holding this or that numerical descent from Heracles, and +these ancestors no private persons, but kings sprung from the loins of +kings. Nor is it open to the gainsayer to contend that they were kings +indeed but of some chance city. Not so, but even as their family holds +highest honour in their fatherland, so too is their city the most +glorious in Hellas, whereby they hold, not primacy over the second +best, but among leaders they have leadership. + + (1) Or, "even to-day, in the proud bead-roll of his ancestry he stands + commemorated, in numerical descent from Heracles." + +And herein it is open to us to praise both his fatherland and his +family. It is notable that never throughout these ages has Lacedaemon, +out of envy of the privilege accorded to her kings, tried to dissolve +their rule; nor ever yet throughout these ages have her kings strained +after greater powers than those which limited their heritage of +kingship from the first. Wherefore, while all other forms of +government, democracies and oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies, +alike have failed to maintain their continuity unbroken, here, as the +sole exception, endures indissolubly their kingship. (2) + + (2) See "Cyrop." I. i. 1. + +And next in token of an aptitude for kingship seen in Agesilaus, +before even he entered upon office, I note these signs. On the death +of Agis, king of Lacedaemon, there were rival claimants to the throne. +Leotychides claimed the succession as being the son of Agis, and +Agesilaus as the son of Archidamus. But the verdict of Lacedaemon +favoured Agesilaus as being in point of family and virtue +unimpeachable, (3) and so they set him on the throne. And yet, in this +princeliest of cities so to be selected by the noblest citizens as +worthy of highest privilege, argues, methinks conclusively, an +excellence forerunning exercise of rule. (4) + + (3) For this matter see "Hell." III. iii. 1-6; V. iv. 13; Plut. + "Ages." iii. 3 (Cloigh, iv. 3 foll.); Paus. iii. 3. + + (4) See Aristides ("Rhet." 776), who quotes the passage for its + measured cadence. + +And so I pass on at once to narrate the chief achievements of his +reign, since by the light of deeds the character of him who wrought +them will, if I mistake not, best shine forth. + +Agesilaus was still a youth (5) when he obtained the kingdom, and he +was still but a novice in his office when the news came that the king +of Persia was collecting a mighty armament by sea and land for the +invasion of Hellas. The Lacedaemonians and their allies sat debating +these matters, when Agesilaus undertook to cross over into Asia. He +only asked for thirty Spartans and two thousand New Citizens, (6) +besides a contingent of the allies six thousand strong; with these he +would cross over into Asia and endeavour to effect a peace; or, if the +barbarian preferred war, he would leave him little leisure to invade +Hellas. + + (5) B.C. 399; according to Plut. ("Ages." ad fin.) he was forty-three, + and therefore still "not old." See "Hell." III. iv. 1 for the + startling news, B.C. 396. + + (6) For the class of Neodamodes, see Arnold's note to Thuc. v. 34 + (Jowett, "Thuc." ii. 307); also Thuc. vii. 58; "Hell." I. iii. 15. + +The proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm on the part of many. They +could not but admire the eagerness of their king to retaliate upon the +Persian for his former invasions of Hellas by counter-invasion on his +own soil. They liked the preference also which he showed for attacking +rather than awaiting his enemy's attack, and his intention to carry on +the war at the expense of Persia rather than that of Hellas; but it +was the perfection of policy, they felt, so to change the arena of +battle, with Asia as the prize of victory instead of Hellas. If we +pass on to the moment when he had received his army and set sail, I +can conceive no clearer exposition of his generalship than the bare +narration of his exploits. + +The scene is Asia, and this his first achievement. Tissaphernes had +sworn an oath to Agesilaus on this wise: if Agesilaus would grant him +an armistice until the return of certain ambassadors whom he would +send to the king, he (Tissaphernes) would do his utmost to procure the +independence of the Hellenic cities in Asia. And Agesilaus took a +counter oath: without fraud or covin to observe the armistice during +the three months (7) necessary to that transaction. But the compact was +scarcely made when Tissaphernes gave the lie to the solemn undertaking +he had sworn to. So far from effecting peace, he begged the King to +send him a large armament in addition to that which he already had. As +to Agesilaus, though he was well aware of these proceedings, he +adhered loyally to the armistice. + + (7) See Grote, "H. G." x. 359; "Hell." III. iv. 5. + +And for myself, I look upon this as the first glorious achievement of +the Spartan. By displaying the perjury of Tissaphernes he robbed him +of his credit with all the world; by the exhibition of himself in +contrast as a man who ratified his oath and would not gainsay an +article of his agreement, he gave all men, Hellenes and barbarians +alike, encouragement to make covenant with him to the full extent of +his desire. + +When Tissaphernes, priding himself on the strength of that army which +had come down to aid him, bade Agesilaus to be gone from Asia or to +prepare for war, (8) deep was the vexation depicted on the faces of the +Lacedaemonians there present and their allies, as they realised that +the scanty force of Agesilaus was all too small to cope with the +armaments of Persia. But the brow of their general was lit with joy as +gaily he bade the ambassadors take back this answer to Tissaphernes: +"I hold myself indebted to your master for the perjury whereby he has +obtained to himself the hostility of heaven, and made the gods +themselves allies of Hellas." And so without further pause he +published a general order to his soldiers to pack their baggage and +prepare for active service; and to the several cities which lay on the +line of march to Caria, the order sped to have their markets in +readiness; while to the men of Ionia and the Aeolid and the Hellespont +he sent despatches bidding them send their contingents to Ephesus to +join in the campaign. + + (8) Lit. "When Tissaphernes, priding himself... bade Agesilaus be + gone... deep was the annoyance felt." + +Tissaphernes meanwhile was influenced by the fact that Agesilaus had +no cavalry, and that Caria was a hilly district unsuited for that arm. +Moreover, as he further bethought him, Agesilaus must needs be wroth +with him for his deceit. What could be clearer, therefore, than that +he was about to make a dash at the satrap's home in Caria? Accordingly +he transported the whole of his infantry into Caria and marched his +cavalry round the while into the plain of the Maeander, persuaded that +he would trample the Hellenes under the hoofs of his horses long +before they reached the district where no cavalry could operate. + +But Agesilaus, instead of advancing upon Caria, turned right about and +marched in the direction of Phrygia. Picking up the various forces +that met him on his progress, he passed onwards, laying city after +city at his feet, and by the suddenness of his incursion capturing +enormous wealth. + +Here was an achievement which showed the genius of a general, as all +agreed. When once war as declared, and the arts of circumvention and +deceit were thereby justified, he had proved Tissaphernes to be a very +bade in subtlety; (9) and with what sagacity again did he turn the +circumstances to account for the enrichment of his friends. Owing to +the quantity of wealth captured, precious things were selling for a +mere song. Thereupon he gave his friends warning to make their +purchases, adding that he should at once march down to the sea-coast +at the head of his troops. The quartermasters meanwhile received +orders to make a note of the purchasers with the prices of the +articles, and to consign the goods. The result was that, without prior +disbursement on their part, or detriment to the public treasury, his +friends reaped an enormous harvest. Moreover, when deserters came with +offers to disclose hidden treasures, and naturally enough laid their +proposal before the king himself, he took care to have the capture of +these treasures effected by his friends, which would enable them to do +a stroke of business, and at the same time redound to their prestige. +For this reason he was not long in discovering many an eager aspirant +to his friendship. + + (9) See below, xi. 4; "Mem." III. i. 6; IV. ii. 15; "Cyrop." I. vi. + 31; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 10). + +But a country pillaged and denuded of inhabitants would not long +support an army. That he felt. A more perennial source of supply was +surely to be found in waving cornfields and thickly clustering +homesteads. So with infinite pains he set himself not merely to crush +his foes by force, but also to win them to his side by gentleness. In +this spirit he often enjoined upon his soldiers to guard their +captives as fellow-men rather than take vengeance upon them as +evildoers; (10) or, on a change of quarters, if aware of little +children left behind by the dealers (since the men often sold them in +the belief that it would be impossible to carry them away and rear +them), he would show concern in behalf of these poor waifs and have +them conveyed to some place of safety; or he would entrust them to the +care of fellow-prisoners also left behind on account of old age; in no +case must they be left to ravening dogs and wolves. In this way he won +the goodwill not only of those who heard tell of these doings but of +the prisoners themselves. And whenever he brought over a city to his +side, he set the citizens free from the harsher service of a bondsman +to his lord, imposing the gentler obedience of a freeman to his ruler. +Indeed, there were fortresses impregnable to assault which he brought +under his power by the subtler force of human kindness. + + (10) See Grote, vol. ix. p. 365 foll. + +But when, in Phrygia even, the freedom of his march along the flats +was hampered by the cavalry of Pharnabazus, he saw that if he wished +to avoid a skulking warfare under cover, a force of cavalry was +indispensable. Accordingly he enlisted the wealthiest members of every +city in those parts to breed and furnish horses; with this saving +clause, however: that the individual who furnished a horse and arms +with a good rider should be exempt from service himself. By this means +he engendered an eagerness to discharge the obligation, not unlike +that of the condemned man, casting about to discover some one to die +in his place. (11) He further ordered some of the states themselves to +furnish contingents of mounted troopers, and this in the conviction +that from such training-centres he would presently get a pick of +cavaliers proud of their horsemanship. And thus once more he won +golden opinions by the skill with which he provided himself with a +body of cavalry in the plenitude of strength and ripe for active +service. + + (11) Instead of the plain {zetoie} of the parallel passage ("Hell." + III. iv. 15) the encomiast prefers the poetical {masteuoi}. + +On the approach of early spring (12) he collected his whole armament at +Ephesus, and set himself to the work of training it. With that object +he proposed a series of prizes: one set for the cavalry squadron which +rode best, another for the heavy infantry divisions which presented +the best physique, another again for various light troops, peltasts, +and bowmen, which showed themselves most efficient in their respective +duties. + + (12) B.C. 395; see "Hell." III. iv. 16; Plut. "Marcel." (Clough, ii. + 262); Polyb. xii. 20, 7. + +Thereupon it was a sight to see the gymnasiums thronged with warriors +going through their exercises, the racecourses crowded with troopers +on prancing steeds, the archers and the javelin men shooting at the +butts. Nay, the whole city in which he lay was transformed into a +spectacle itself, so filled to overflowing was the market-place with +arms and armour of every sort, and horses, all for sale. Here were +coppersmiths and carpenters, ironfounders and cobblers, painters and +decorators--one and all busily engaged in fabricating the implements +of war; so that an onlooker might have thought the city of Ephesus +itself a gigantic arsenal. It would have kindled courage in the breast +of a coward to see the long lines of soldiers, with Agesilaus at their +head, all garlanded as they marched in proud procession from the +gymnasiums and dedicated their wreaths to our Lady Artemis. Since, +where these three elements exist--reverence towards heaven, practice +in military affairs, and obedience to command--all else must needs be +full of happy promise. + +But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain +strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the +barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The +soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for +toil, soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only +stir abroad in carriages, concluded that a war with women would +scarcely be more formidable. Then he published a further order to the +soldiers: "I shall lead you at once by the shortest route to the +stronghold (13) of the enemy's territory. Your general asks you to keep +yourselves on the alert in mind and body, as men about to enter the +lists of battle on the instant." + + (13) Or, "the richest parts of the country," viz. Lydia; Plut. "Ages." + x. + +But Tissaphernes was persuaded that this was all talk on his part for +the purpose of outwitting him a second time: now certainly Agesilaus +would make an incursion into Caria. So once again the satrap +transported his infantry over into that country just has he had done +before, and as before he posted his cavalry in the plain of the +Maeander. + +This time, however, Agesilaus was true to his word. In accordance with +his published order he advanced straight upon the region of Sardis, +and, during a three days' march through a country where not an enemy +was to be seen, provided his army with abundant supplies. On the +fourth day the enemy's cavalry came up. The Persian general ordered +the commandant of his baggage train to cross the Pactolus and encamp, +whilst his troopers, who had caught sight of the camp followers of the +Hellenes scattered in search of booty, put many of them to the sword. +Agesilaus, aware how matters were going, ordered his cavalry to the +rescue, and the Persians on their side, seeing the enemy's supports +approaching, collected and formed up in line to receive them with the +serried squadrons of their cavalry. And now Agesilaus, conscious that +his enemy's infantry had not as yet arrived, whilst on his side no +element in his preparation was lacking, felt that the moment was come +to join battle if he could. Accordingly he sacrificed and advanced +against the opposing lines of cavalry. A detachment of heavy infantry, +the ten-years-service men, had orders to close with them at the run, +while the light infantry division were told to show them the way at a +swinging pace. At the same time he passed the order along the line of +his cavalry to charge in reliance of the support of himself and the +main body in their rear. Charge they did, these troopers, and the pick +of Persian cavalry received them bravely, but in face of the conjoint +horror of the attack they swerved, and some were cut down at once in +the river-bed, while others sought safety in flight. The Hellenes +followed close on the heels of the flying foe, and captured his camp. +Here the peltasts, not unnaturally, fell to pillaging, whereupon +Agesilaus formed a cordon of troops, round the property of friends and +foes alike, and so encamped. + +Presently hearing that the enemy were in a state of disorder, the +result of every one holding his fellow responsible for what had +happened, he advanced without further stay on Sardis. Having arrived, +he fell to burning and ravaging the suburbs, while at the same time he +did not fail to make it known by proclamation that those who asked for +freedom should join his standard; or if there were any who claimed a +right of property in Asia he challenged them to come out and meet her +liberators in fair fight and let the sword decide between them. +Finding that no one ventured to come out to meet him, his march became +for the future a peaceful progress. All around him he beheld Hellenes +who formerly were forced to bow the knee to brutal governors now +honoured by their former tyrants, while those who had claimed to enjoy +divine honours were so humbled by him that they scarce dared to look a +Hellene in the face. Everywhere he saved the territory of his friends +from devastation, and reaped the fruits of the enemy's soil to such +good effect that within two years he was able to dedicate as a tithe +to the god at Delphi more than one hundred talents. (14) + + (14) = 25,000 pounds nearly. + +It was then that the Persian king, believing that Tissaphernes was to +blame for the ill success of his affairs, sent down Tithraustes and +cut off the satrap's head. After this the fortunes of the barbarians +grew still more desperate, whilst those of Agesilaus assumed a bolder +front. On all side embassies from the surrounding nations came to make +terms of friendship, and numbers even came over to him, stretching out +eager arms to grasp at freedom. So that Agesilaus was now no longer +the chosen captain of the Hellenes only, but of many Asiatics. + +And here we may pause and consider what a weight of admiration is due +to one who, being now ruler over countless cities of the continent, +and islands also (since the state had further entrusted the navy to +his hands), just when he had reached this pinnacle of renown and +power, and might look to turn to account his thronging fortunes; when, +too, which overtops all else, he was cherishing fond hopes to dissolve +that empire which in former days had dared to march on Hellas;--at +such a moment suffered himself not to be overmastered by these +promptings, but on receipt of a summons of the home authorities to +come to the assistance of the fatherland, obeyed the mandate of his +state as readily (15) as though he stood confronted face to face with +the Five in the hall of ephors; and thus gave clear proof that he +would not accept the whole earth in exchange for the land of his +fathers, nor newly-acquired in place of ancient friends, nor base +gains ingloriously purchased rather than the perilous pursuit of +honour and uprightness. (16) + + (15) Cf. Hor. "Od." III. v. 50. + + (16) See Pindar, "Olymp." vi. 14. + +And, indeed, glancing back at the whole period during which he +remained in the exercise of his authority, no act of deeper +significance in proof of his kingly qualities need be named than this. +He found the cities which he was sent out to govern each and all a +prey to factions, the result of constitutional disturbances consequent +on the cessation of the Athenian empire, and without resort to exile +or sanguinary measures he so disposed them by his healing presence +that civil concord and material prosperity were permanently +maintained. Therefore it was that the Hellenes in Asia deplored his +departure, (17) as though they had lost, not simply a ruler, but a +father or bosom friend, and in the end they showed that their +friendship was of no fictitious character. At any rate, they +voluntarily helped him to succour Lacedaemon, though it involved, as +they knew, the need of doing battle with combatants of equal prowess +with themselves. So the tale of his achievements in Asia has an end. + + (17) See Plut. "Ages." xv. + + + + +II + +He crossed the Hellespont and made his way through the very tribes +traversed by the Persian (1) with his multitudinous equipment in former +days, and the march which cost the barbarian a year was accomplished +by Agesilaus in less than a single month. He did not want to arrive a +day too late to serve his fatherland. And so passing through Macedonia +he arrived in Thessaly, and here the men of Larissa, Crannon, +Scotussa, and Pharsalus, who were allies of the Boeotians, and indeed +all the Thessalians, with the exception of those who were in exile at +the time, combined to dog his steps and do him damage. For a while he +led his troops in a hollow square, posting one half of his cavalry in +the van and the other half on his rear, but finding his march hindered +by frequent attacks of the Thessalians on his hindmost divisions, he +sent round the mass of his cavalry from the vanguard to support his +rear, reserving only his personal escort. (2) And now in battle order +the rival squadrons faced each other; when the Thessalians, not liking +a cavalry engagement in face of heavy infantry, wheeled and step by +step retreated; their opponents with much demureness following. Then +Agesilaus, detecting the common error under which both parties +laboured, sent round his own bodyguard of stalwart troopers with +orders to their predecessors (an order they would act upon themselves) +to charge the enemy at full gallop and not give him a chance to rally. +The Thessalians, in face of this unexpected charge, either could not +so much as rally, or in the attempt to do so were caught with their +horses' flanks exposed to the enemy's attack. Polycharmus, the +Pharsalian, a commandant of cavalry, did indeed succeed in wheeling, +but was cut down with those about him sword in hand. This was the +signal for a flight so extraordinary that dead and dying lined the +road, and the living were captured wholesale, nor was a halt made +until the pursuers reached Mount Narthacius. Here, midway between Pras +and Narthacius, Agesilaus erected a trophy, and here for the moment he +halted in unfeigned satisfaction at his exploit, since it was from an +antagonist boasting the finest cavalry in the world that he had +wrested victory with a body of cavalry organised by himself. + + (1) I.e. "Xerxes." + + (2) I.e. "the Three hundred." See Thuc. v. 72; "Pol. Lac." xiii. 6. + +Next day, crossing the mountain barrier of Achaea Phthiotis, his march +lay through friendly territory for the rest of the way as far as the +frontiers of Boeotia. Here he found the confederates drawn up in +battle line. They consisted of the Thebans, the Athenians, the +Argives, the Corinthians, the Aenianians, the Euboeans, and both +divisions of the Locrians. (3) He did not hesitate, but openly before +their eyes drew out his lines to give them battle. He had with him a +division (4) and a half of Lacedaemonians, and from the seat of war +itself the allied troops of the Phocians and the men of Orchomenus +only, besides the armament which he had brought with him from Asia. + + (3) See "Hell." IV. ii. 7. + + (4) Lit. "mora." + +I am not going to maintain that he ventured on the engagement in spite +of having far fewer and inferior forces. Such an assertion would only +reveal the senselessness of the general (5) and the folly of the writer +who should select as praiseworthy the reckless imperilling of mighty +interests. On the contrary, what I admire is the fact that he had +taken care to provide himself with an army not inferior to that of his +enemy, and had so equipped them that his cohorts literally gleamed +with purple and bronze. (6) He had taken pains to enable his soldiers +to undergo the fatigue of war, he had filled their breasts with a +proud consciousness that they were equal to do battle with any +combatants in the world, and what was more, he had infused a wholesome +rivalry in those about him to prove themselves each better than the +rest. He had filled all hearts with sanguine expectation of great +blessings to descend on all, if they proved themselves good men. Such +incentives, he thought, were best calculated to arouse enthusiasm in +men's souls to engage in battle with the enemy. And in this +expectation he was not deceived. + + (5) Lit. "Agesilaus." + + (6) See "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1. + +I proceed to describe the battle, for in certain distinctive features +it differed from all the battles of our day. The contending forces met +on the plain of Coronea, Agesilaus and his troops approaching from the +Cephisus, the Thebans and their allies from the slopes of the Helicon. +These masses of infantry, as any eye might see, were of duly balanced +strength, while as near as could be the cavalry on either side was +numerically the same. Agesilaus held the right of his own army, and on +his extreme left lay the men of Orchomenus. On the opposite side the +Thebans themselves formed their own right and the Argives held their +left. While the two armies approached a deep silence prevailed on +either side, but when they were now a single furlong's (7) space apart +the Thebans quickened to a run, and, with a loud hurrah, dashed +forward to close quarters. And now there was barely a hundred yards (8) +between them, when Herippidas, with his foreign brigade, rushed +forward from the Spartan's battle lines to meet them. This brigade +consisted partly of troops which had served with Agesilaus ever since +he left home, with a portion of the Cyreians, besides Ionians, +Aeolians, and their neighbours on the Hellespont. All these took part +in the forward rush of the attack just mentioned, and coming within +spear-thrust they routed that portion of the enemy in front of them. +The Argives did not even wait for Agesilaus and his division, but fled +towards Helicon, and at that moment some of his foreign friends were +on the point of crowning Agesilaus with the wreath of victory, when +some one brought him word that the Thebans had cut through the +division from Orchomenus and were busy with the baggage-train. +Accordingly he at once deployed his division and advanced by +counter-march against them. The Thebans on their side, seeing that +their allies had scattered on Helicon, and eager to make their way +back to join their friends, began advancing sturdily. + + (7) Lit. "a stade." + + (8) Lit. "three plethra." + +To assert that Agesilaus at this crisis displayed real valour is to +assert a thing indisputable, but for all that the course he adopted +was not the safest. It was open to him to let the enemy pass in their +effort to rejoin their friends, and that done to have hung upon their +heels and overmastered their rear ranks, but he did nothing of the +sort: what he did was, to crash front to front against the Thebans. +And so with shields interlocked they shoved and fought and fought and +shoved, dealing death and yielding life. There was no shouting, nor +yet was there even silence, but a strange and smothered utterance, +such as rage and battle vent. (9) At last a portion of the Thebans +forced their way through towards Helicon, but many were slain in that +departure. + + (9) Or, "as the rage and fury of battle may give vent to." See + "Cyrop." VII. i. 38-40. A graphic touch omitted in "Hell." IV. + iii. 19. + +Victory remained with Agesilaus. Wounded himself, they bore him back +to his own lines, when some of his troopers came galloping up to tell +him that eighty of the enemy had taken refuge with their arms (10) +under cover of the Temple, (11) and they asked what they ought to do. +He, albeit he had received wounds all over him, having been the mark +of divers weapons, did not even so forget his duty to God, and gave +orders to let them go whithersoever they chose, nor suffered them to +be ill-treated, but ordered his bodyguard of cavalry to escort them +out of reach of danger. + + (10) I.e. "they had kept their arms." + + (11) See Plut. "Ages." xix.; Paus. ix. 34. + +And now that the battle had ceased, it was a sight to see where the +encounter took place, the earth bedabbled with gore, the dead lying +cheek by jowl, friend and foe together, and the great shields hacked +and broken to pieces, and the spears snapped asunder, the daggers +lying bare of sheaths, some on the ground, some buried in the bodies, +some still clutched in the dead men's hands. For the moment then, +seeing that it was already late in the day, they dragged together the +corpses of their slain apart from those of the enemy (12) and laid them +within the lines, and took their evening meal and slept; but early +next morning Agesilaus ordered Gylis, the polemarch, to marshal the +troops in battle order and to set up a trophy, while each man donned a +wreath in honour of the god, and the pipers piped. So they busied +themselves, but the Thebans sent a herald asking leave to bury their +dead under cover of a truce. And so it came to pass that a truce was +made, and Agesilaus departed homewards, having chosen, in lieu of +supreme greatness in Asia, to rule, and to be ruled, in obedience to +the laws at home. + + (12) Reading, {tous ek ton polemion nekrous}, after Weiske. + +It was after this (13) that his attention was drawn to the men of +Argos. They had appropriated Corinth, and were reaping the fruits of +their fields at home. The war to them was a merry jest. Accordingly he +marched against them; and having ravaged their territory throughout, +he crossed over by the pass (14) down upon Corinth and captured the +long walls leading to Lechaeum. And so having thrown open the gates of +Peloponnese he returned home in time for the Hyacinthia, (15) where, in +the post assigned to him by the master of the chorus, he shared in the +performance of the paean in honour of the god. + + (13) B.C. 393. + + (14) {kata ta stena}. See "Hell." IV. iv. 19. {kata Tenean}, according + to Koppen's emendation. + + (15) See Grote, "H. G." v. 208; Herod. ix. 7; "Hell." IV. v. 10. + +Later on, it being brought to his notice that the Corinthians were +keeping all their cattle safely housed in the Peiraeum, sowing the +whole of that district, and gathering in their crops; and, which was a +matter of the greatest moment, that the Boeotians, with Creusis as +their base of operations, could pour their succours into Corinth by +this route--he marched against Peiraeum. Finding it strongly guarded, +he made as if the city of Corinth were about to capitulate, and +immediately after the morning meal shifted his ground and encamped +against the capital. Under cover of night there was a rush from +Peiraeum to protect the city, which he was well aware of, and with +break of day he turned right about and took Peiraeum, defenceless as +it lay, capturing all that it contained, with the various fortresses +within; and having so done retired homewards. + +After these exploits (16) the Achaeans were urgent for an alliance, and +begged him to join them in an expedition against Acarnania. In the +course of this the Acarnanians attacked him in a defile. Storming the +heights above his head with his light troops, (17) he gave them battle, +and slew many of them, and set up a trophy, nor stayed his hand until +he had united the Acarnanians, the Aetolians, and the Argives, (18) in +friendship with the Achaeans and alliance with himself. + + (16) B.C. 390-389? + + (17) See "Hell." IV. vi. 9-11, where it is expressly stated that the + action was won by the Spartan hoplites. See Hartman, "An. Xen." + (cap. xi. "De Agesilao libello"), p. 263, for other discrepancies + between the historian and the encomiast. + + (18) See perhaps "Hell." IV. iv. 19; vii. 2 foll. + +When the enemy, being desirous of peace, sent an embassy, it was +Agesilaus who spoke against the peace, (19) until he had forced the +states of Corinth and of Thebes to welcome back those of them who, for +Lacedaemon's sake, had suffered banishment. + + (19) I.e. "of Antalcidas, B.C. 387." See "Hell." V. i. 36; Grote, "H. + G." ix. 537 note. + +And still later, (20) again, he restored the exiles of the Phliasians, +who had suffered in the same cause, and with that object marched in +person against Phlius, a proceeding which, however liable to censure +on other grounds, showed unmistakable attachment to his party. (21) + + (20) B.C. 383 and 380; see "Hell." V. ii. 10; iii. 10. + + (21) See "Hell." V. iii. 16. + +Thus, when the adverse faction had put to death those of the +Lacedaemonians then in Thebes, he brought succour to his friends, and +marched upon Thebes. (22) Finding the entire country fenced with ditch +and palisading, he crossed Cynoscephalae (23) and ravaged the district +right up to the city itself, giving the Thebans an opportunity of +engaging him in the plain or upon the hills, as they preferred. And +once more, in the ensuing year, (24) he marched against Thebes, and now +surmounting these palisades and entrenchments at Scolus, (25) he +ravaged the remainder of Boeotia. + + (22) B.C. 378. + + (23) See "Hell." V. iv. 34 foll.; for the site see Breitenbach, ad + loc. + + (24) B.C. 377. + + (25) See "Hell." V. iv. 47. + +Hitherto fortune had smiled in common upon the king himself and upon +his city. And as for the disasters which presently befell, no one can +maintain that they were brought about under the leadership of +Agesilaus. But the day came when, after the disaster which had +occurred at Leuctra, the rival powers in conjunction with the +Mantineans fell to massacring his friends and adherents (26) in Tegea + (the confederacy between all the states of Boeotia, the Arcadians, and +the Eleians being already an accomplished fact). Thereupon, with the +forces of Lacedaemon alone, (27) he took the field, and thus belied the +current opinion that it would be a long while before the +Lacedaemonians ventured to leave their own territory again. Having +ravaged the country of those who had done his friends to death, he was +content, and returned home. + + (26) Or intimates. + + (27) B.C. 370. See "Hell."VI. v. 21. + +After this Lacedaemon was invaded by the united Arcadians, Argives, +Eleians, and Boeotians, who were assisted by the Phocians, both +sections of the Locrians, the Thessalians, Aenianians, Acarnanians, +and Euboeans; moreover, the slaves had revolted and several of the +provincial cities; (28) while of the Spartans themselves as many had +fallen on the field of Leuctra as survived. But in spite of all, he +safely guarded the city, and that too a city without walls and +bulwarks. Forbearing to engage in the open field, where the gain would +lie wholly with the enemy, he lay stoutly embattled on ground where +the citizens must reap advantage; since, as he doggedly persisted, to +march out meant to be surrounded on every side; whereas to stand at +bay where every defile gave a coign of vantage, would give him mastery +complete. (29) + + (28) Lit. "perioecid"; see Plut. "Ages." xxxii. (Clough, iv. 39); + "Hell." VI. v. 32. + + (29) Is this parallel to "Hell." VII. v. 10, or "Hell." VI. v. 28? + According to the historian, Agesilaus adopted similar tactics on + both occasions (in B.C. 369 and B.C. 362 alike). The encomiast + after his manner appears to treat them as one. Once and again his + hero "cunctando restituit rem," but it was by the same strategy. + +After the invading army had retired, no one will gainsay the sound +sense of his behaviour. Old age debarred him from active service on +foot or horse, and what the city chiefly needed now, he saw, was +money, if she looked to gain allies. To the task therefore of +providing that he set himself. Everything that could be done by +stopping at home he deftly turned his hand to; or when the call arose +and he could better help his country by departure he had no false +pride; he set off on foreign service, not as general, but as +ambassador. Yet on such embassy he achieved acts worthy of the +greatest general. Autophradates (30) was besieging Ariobarzanes, (31) +who was an ally of Sparta, in Assos; but before the face of Agesilaus +he fled in terror and was gone. Cotys, (32) besieging Sestos, which +still adhered to Ariobarzanes, broke up the siege and departed +crestfallen. Well might the ambassador have set up a trophy in +commemoration of the two bloodless victories. Once more, Mausolus (33) +was besieging both the above-named places with a squadron of one +hundred sail. He too, like, and yet unlike, the former two, yielded +not to terror but to persuasion, and withdrew his fleet. These, then, +were surely admirable achievements, since those who looked upon him as +a benefactor and those who fled from before him both alike made him +the richer by their gifts. + + (30) Satrap of Lydia. + + (31) Satrap of Propontis or Hellespontine Phrygia. + + (32) Satrap of Paphlagonia, king of Thrace. Iphicrates married his + daughter. See Grote, "H. G." x. 410. + + (33) Satrap of Caria. + +Tachos, (34) indeed, and Mausolus gave him a magnificent escort; and, +for the sake of his former friendship with Agesilaus, the latter +contributed also money for the state of Lacedaemon; and so they sped +him home. + + (34) King of Egypt. + +And now the weight of, may be, fourscore years was laid upon him, (35) +when it came under his observation that the king of Egypt, (36) with +his hosts of foot and horse and stores of wealth, had set his heart on +a war with Persia. Joyfully he learned that he himself was summoned by +King Tachos, and that the command-in-chief of all the forces was +promised to him. By this one venture he would achieve three objects, +which were to requite the Egyptian for the benefits conferred on +Lacedaemon; to liberate the Hellenes in Asia once again; and to +inflict on the Persian a just recompense, not only for the old +offences, but for this which was of to-day; seeing that, while +boasting alliance with Sparta, he had dictatorially enjoined the +emancipation of Messene. (37) But when the man who had summoned him +refused to confer the proffered generalship, Agesilaus, like one on +whom a flagrant deception has been practised, began to consider the +part he had to play. Meanwhile a separate division (38) of the Egyptian +armies held aloof from their king. Then, the disaffection spreading, +all the rest of his troops deserted him; whereat the monarch took +flight and retired in exile to Sidon in Phoenicia, leaving the +Egyptians, split in faction, to choose to themselves a pair of +kings. (39) Thereupon Agesilaus took his decision. If he helped +neither, it meant that neither would pay the service-money due to his +Hellenes, that neither would provide a market, and that, whichever of +the two conquered in the end, Sparta would be equally detested. But if +he threw in his lot with one of them, that one would in all likelihood +in return for the kindness prove a friend. Accordingly he chose +between the two that one who seemed to be the truer partisan of +Hellas, and with him marched against the enemy of Hellas and conquered +him in a battle, crushing him. His rival he helped to establish on the +throne, and having made him a friend to Lacedaemon, and having +acquired vast sums besides, he turned and set sail homewards, even in +mid-winter, hastening so that Sparta might not lie inactive, but +against the coming summer be alert to confront the foe. + + (35) Or, "But to pass on, he was already, may be, eighty years of age, + when it came under his observation...." + + (36) This same Tachos. + + (37) See "Hell." VII. i. 36; iv. 9. + + (38) I.e. "the army under Nectanebos." See Diod. xv. 92; Plut. "Ages." + xxxvii. (Clough, iv. 44 foll.) + + (39) I.e. "Nectanebos and a certain Mendesian." + + + + +III + +Such, then, is the chronicle of this man's achievements, or of such of +them as were wrought in the presence of a thousand witnesses. Being of +this sort they have no need of further testimony; the mere recital of +them is sufficient, and they at once win credence. But now I will +endeavour to reveal the excellence indwelling in his soul, the motive +power of his acts, in virtue of which he clung to all things +honourable and thrust aside all baseness. + +Agesilaus showed such reverence for things divine that even his +enemies regarded his oaths and solemn treaties as more to be relied on +than the tie of friendship amongst themselves. These same men, who +would shrink from too close intercourse with one another, delivered +themselves into the hands of Agesilaus without fear. And lest the +assertion should excite discredit, I may name some illustrious +examples. Such was Spithridates the Persian, who knew that +Pharnabazus, (1) whilst negotiating to marry the daughter of the great +king, was minded to seize his own daughter unwedded. Resenting such +brutality, Spithridates delivered up himself, his wife, his children, +and his whole power, into the hands of Agesilaus. Cotys (2) also, the +ruler of Paphlagonia, had refused to obey a summons from the king, +although he sent him the warrant of his right hand; (3) then fear came +upon him lest he should be seized, and either be heavily fined or die +the death; yet he too, simply trusting to an armistice, came to the +camp of Agesilaus and made alliance, and of his own accord chose to +take the field with Agesilaus, bringing a thousand horsemen and two +thousand targeteers. Lastly, Pharnabazus (4) himself came and held +colloquy with Agesilaus, and openly agreed that if he were not himself +appointed general-in-chief of the royal forces he would revolt from +the king. "Whereas, if I do become general," he added, "I mean to make +war upon you, Agesilaus, might and main," thus revealing his +confidence that, say what he might, nothing would befall him contrary +to the terms of truce. Of so intrinsic a value to all, and not least +to a general in the field, is the proud possession of an honest and +God-fearing character, known and recognised. Thus far, as touching the +quality of piety. + + (1) See "Hell." III. iv. 10; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 9). + + (2) See "Hell." IV. i. 3; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 13). + + (3) Diod. xvi. 34. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 37. + + + + +IV + +To speak next of his justice (1) in affairs of money. As to this, what +testimony can be more conclusive than the following? During the whole +of his career no charge of fraudulent dealing was ever lodged against +Agesilaus; against which set the many-voiced acknowledgment of +countless benefits received from him. A man who found pleasure in +giving away his own for the benefit of others was not the man to rob +another of his goods at the price of infamy. Had he suffered from this +thirst for riches it would have been easier to cling to what belonged +to him than to take that to which he had no just title. This man, who +was so careful to repay debts of gratitude, where (2) the law knows no +remedy against defaulters, was not likely to commit acts of robbery +which the law regards as criminal. And as a matter of act Agesilaus +judged it not only wrong to forgo repayment of a deed of kindness, +but, where the means were ample, wrong also not to repay such debts +with ample interest. + + (1) See Muller and Donaldson, "Hist. Gk. Lit." ii. 196, note 2. + + (2) Or, "a state of indebtedness beyond the reach of a tribunal." See + "Cyrop." I. ii. 7. + +The charge of embezzlement, could it be alleged, would no less outrage +all reason in the case of one who made over to his country the benefit +in full of grateful offerings owed solely to himself. Indeed the very +fact that, when he wished to help the city or his friends with money, +he might have done so by the aid of others, goes a long way to prove +his indifference to the lure of riches; since, had he been in the +habit of selling his favour, or of playing the part of benefactor for +pay, there had been no room for a sense of indebtedness. (3) It is only +the recipient of gratuitous kindness who is ever ready to minister to +his benefactor, both in return for the kindness itself and for the +confidence implied in his selection as the fitting guardian of a good +deed on deposit. (4) + + (3) Or, "no one would have felt to owe him anything." + + (4) See "Cyrop." VI. i. 35; Rutherford, "New Phrynichus," p. 312. + +Again, who more likely to put a gulf impassable between himself and +the sordid love of gain (5) than he, who nobly preferred to be stinted +of his dues (6) rather than snatch at the lion's share unjustly? It is +a case in point that, being pronounced by the state to be the rightful +heir to his brother's (7) wealth, he made over one half to his maternal +relatives because he saw that they were in need; and to the truth of +this assertion all Lacedaemon is witness. What, too, was his answer to +Tithraustes when the satrap offered him countless gifts if he would +but quit the country?"Tithraustes, with us it is deemed nobler for a +ruler to enrich his army than himself; it is expected of him to wrest +spoils from the enemy rather than take gifts." + + (5) Or, "base covetousness." + + (6) Or reading, {sun auto to gennaio} (with Breitenbach), "in + obedience to pure generosity." See "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 38. + + (7) I.e. Agis. See Plut. "Ages." iv. + + + + +V + +Or again, reviewing the divers pleasures which master human beings, I +defy any one to name a single one to which Agesilaus was enslaved: +Agesilaus, who regarded drunkenness as a thing to hold aloof from like +madness, and immoderate eating like the snare of indolence. Even the +double portion (1) allotted to him at the banquet was not spent on his +own appetite; rather would he make distribution of the whole, +retaining neither portion for himself. In his view of the matter this +doubling of the king's share was not for the sake of surfeiting, but +that the king might have the wherewithal to honour whom he wished. And +so, too, sleep (2) he treated not as a master, but as a slave, +subservient to higher concerns. The very couch he lay upon must be +sorrier than that of any of his company or he would have blushed for +shame, since in his opinion it was the duty of a leader to excel all +ordinary mortals in hardihood, not in effeminacy. Yet there were +things in which he was not ashamed to take the lion's share, as, for +example, the sun's heat in summer, or winter's cold. Did occasion ever +demand of his army moil and toil, he laboured beyond all others as a +thing of course, believing that such ensamples are a consolation to +the rank and file. Or, to put the patter compendiously, Agesilaus +exulted in hard work: indolence he utterly repudiated. + + (1) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 4. See J. J. Hartman, "An. Xen." 257. + + (2) See Hom. "Il." ii. 24, {ou khro pannukhion eudein boulephoron + andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a + counsellor."--W. Leaf. + +And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any +rate for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to +be put on record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which +excites no desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son +of Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate +soul may feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom +among the Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss, +Megabates endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much +show of battle, resisted--"No kiss might he accept." (3) I ask whether +such an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of +the man, and that of no vulgar order. (4) Megabates, who looked upon +himself as in some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not +to offend in like sort again. (5) Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one +who was his comrade to persuade Megabates again to honour him with his +regard; and the comrade, so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade +him, will you bestow on him a kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence, +but presently exclaimed: "No, by the Twins, not if I might this very +instant become the swiftest-footed, strongest, and handsomest of +men. (6) And as to that battle I swear by all the gods I would far +rather fight it over again than that everything on which I set my eyes +might turn to gold." (7) + + (3) See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.) + + (4) Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect," + "a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive." + + (5) Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses." + + (6) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been + a little man of a contemptible presence." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid. + "Met." xi. 102 foll. + +What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but +for myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their +enemeis than the foes we speak of. (8) Doubtless such incidents when +known to but few may well be discredited by many, but here we are in +the region of establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a +man is the less can his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no +eye-witness has ever reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he +invented it, would his tale have found credence, since it was not the +habit of the king, when abroad, to lodge apart in private houses. He +always lay up in some sacred place, where behaviour of the sort was +out of the question, or else in public, with the eyes of all men +liable to be called as witnesses to his sobriety. For myself, if I +make these statements falsely against the knowledge of Hellas, this +were not in any sense to praise my hero, but to dispraise myself. + + (8) Or, "than the seductions in question." + + + + +VI + +Nor, in my opinion, were those obscure proofs of courage and true +manliness which he furnished by his readiness ever to wage war against +the strongest enemies, whether of Sparta or of Hellas, placing himself +in the forefront of the contests decided on. If the enemy cared to +join issue in fair field he would not chance upon a victory won by +panic, but in stubborn battle, blow for blow, he mastered him; and set +up trophies worthy of the name, seeing that he left behind him +imperishable monuments of prowess, and bore away on his own body +indelible marks of the fury with which he fought; (1) so that, apart +from hearsay, by the evidence of men's eyes his valour stood approved. + + (1) Or, "visible signs of the spirit," etc. See Plut. "Ages." xxxvi. + +And amongst these we must not deem them trophies alone which he +actually set up, but reckon the many campaigns which he undertook, +since they were victories truly, even when the enemy refused to +encounter him, victories devoid of danger, yet fraught with even more +solid advantage to the state of Sparta and her fellow-combatants; just +as in our games we crown as victor him who walks over the field (2) no +less than him who conquers by dint of battle. + + (2) Or, "without striking a blow." Lit. "without the dust of the + arena, 'sine pulvere.'" See Thuc. iv. 73, {akoniti}. + +And to speak next of his wisdom, (3) I suppose there is not one of all +his doings but must illustrate it;--this man whose bearing towards his +fatherland was such that by dint of implicit obedience (he grew to so +greate a height of power), (4) whose zeal in the service of his +comrades won for him the unhesitating attachment of his friends, who +infused into the hearts of his soldiers a spirit, not of discipline +only, but of self-devotion to their chief. And yet surely that is the +strongest of all battle-lines (5) in which obedience creates tactical +efficiency, and alacrity in the field springs out of loyal affection +for the general. + + (3) Or, "his sagacity." + + (4) The words {pleiston iskhue} are supplied from Plutarch ("Ages." + iv.), who quotes the passage, "What Xenophon tells us of him, that + by complying with, and, as it were, ruled by his country, he grew + into such great power with them, that he could do what he pleased, + is meant," etc. (Clough, iv. p. 4). The lacuna in the MS. was + first noted, I believe, by Weiske. See Breitenbach's note ad loc. + + (5) See "Cyrop." VII. i. 30; "Econ." xxi. 7. + +Enemies he had to cope with, who had little excuse to disparage, +however much they might be compelled to hate their opponent, seeing +that he was for ever contriving to give his allies some advantage over +them--by sheer deception, if occasion offered; now anticipating them +if speed were requisite; now skulking in corners if concealment +served; in all points observing one rule of behaviour to his friends +and another towards his foes. By turning night into day and day into +night (6) he drew so close a veil of mystery over his movements that +frequently there was no saying where he was, or whither he would go, +or what he might do next. The fastnesses of the enemy he transformed +into so many weaknesses, (7) passing this one by, and scaling that, and +stealing like a thief into a third. + + (6) See "Hell." VI. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." v. 7; "Cyrop." I. v. 12. + + (7) Or, "the strongholds of the enemy might to all intents and + purposes have been open places." + +When he was on the march, and was well aware that an enemy might, if +he chose, deliver battle, his habit was to lead his troops in compact +battle order ready to confront emergencies, with soft, slow step, +advancing, as it were, with maidenly demureness, (8) for in such +procedure, as he believed, lay the secret of true calm, engendering a +dauntless self-assurance, imperturbable, unerring, impervious to +treacherous assault. Therefore by such behaviour he was a terror to +the enemy, whilst he infused courage and strength in the hearts of his +friends, so that throughout his life he continued to be a man whom his +foes dared not despise, whom his fellow-citizens cared not to arraign, +within the circle of his friends held blameless, the idol and +admiration of the outer world. (9) + + (8) See above, ii. 3; "Pol. Lac." iii. 5. + + (9) Cf. Tacitus's phrase concerning Titus, "deliciae humani generis." + + + + + +VII + +To describe his patriotism (1) point by point in detail were a tedious +story, since, as I suppose, there is not one of his several +achievements but must finally resolve itself into that. For, to put it +briefly, we all know well that where Agesilaus expected in any way to +benefit his country there was no toil he shrank from, no danger he +avoided, no money he stinted, no excuse whether of age or body he +admitted, but deemed it ever the true function of a good king (2) to +shower blessings to the utmost on the subjects of his rule. + + (1) Lit. "love for his own city." + + (2) Or, "regarded it as the cardinal virtue of a real prince." See + "Mem." III. ii. 3. + +And for my part I hold it as chief among the magnificent benefits so +conferred by him upon his country that, being the most powerful member +of the state, he made no secret of his absolute submission to the +laws, (3) since what lesser man, seeing the king's obedience, would +take (4) on himself to disobey? Who, in discontentment at his own poor +lot, would venture on revolution, knowing that the king himself could +condescend to constitutional control? And that, too, a king who bore +himself towards political opponents with a paternal mildness. (5) If he +rebuked them sharply for their misdemeanours, he none the less +honoured their high endeavours, and proved himself a present help to +them in time of trouble. (6) No citizen could be his personal foe; of +that he was assured. His desire was to commend them one and all alike, +counting the common salvation of all a gain, and reckoning it as a +loss if even a mean man perished. For thus he reasoned, nor made a +secret of the conclusion he had come to: so long as her citizens +continued tranquilly adherent to the laws the happiness of Sparta was +secure. (7) And for the rest Sparta would once again be strong on that +day when the states of Hellas should learn wisdom. + + (3) Or, "he was at the same time the most obvious in his allegiance to + the laws." + + (4) Lit. "would have taken on himself... would have ventured on + revolution." + + (5) Lit. "as a father to his children." + + (6) Or, "and was ready to stand by their side in time of trouble." + + (7) Or, "For this was the clear tenor of his thought, that by tranquil + continuance within the laws the citizens of Sparta might secure + her happiness. And as to power, Sparta, etc." See "Mem." II. vi. + 27. + +And if, by admission, it is noble for every Hellene to be a lover of +his fellow-Hellenes, yet we must fare far afield to find another +instance of a general who, expecting to sack some city, would have +refused to seize the prize; or who regarded victory in a war waged +against fellow-Hellenes as a species of calamity. Yet this man when a +message was brought him concerning the battle at Corinth, (8) in which +but eight Lacedaemonians had fallen, but of their opponents ten +thousand nearly, showed no sign of exultation, but sighed, saying, +"Alas for Hellas! since those who now lie in their graves, were able, +had they lived, to conquer the hosts of Asia." (9) Again, when some +Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was ripe for surrender, +and showed him the engines by which they were confident they would +take the walls, he refused to make the assault, saying that Hellene +cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought back to a +better mind, (10) and added, "For if we lop off our offending members, +haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the barbarians." + + (8) B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G." + ix. 429. + + (9) Lit. "all the barbarians." + + (10) See "Econ." i. 23. + +Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out +on a campaign to enslave Hellas; the Persian, who to-day makes +alliance with these (no matter to him which the party, provided it +will help him to work the greater mischief (11)); or gives presents to +those (who will take them and do the greatest harm to his foes the +Hellenes); or else concocts a peace that shall presently involve us in +internecine war, as he anticipates:--but why dwell on facts so patent? +--I ask, did ever Hellene before Agesilaus so enter heart and soul +upon his duty; whether it were to help some tribe to throw off the +Persian yoke, or to save from destruction a revolted district, or if +nothing else, at any rate to saddle the Persian with such troubles of +his own that he should cease to trouble Hellas? An ardent hater of +Persia surely was he, who, when his own country was at war with +Hellenes, did not neglect the common good of Hellas, but set sail to +wreak what harm he might upon the barbarians. (12) + + (11) Or, "the worse the mischief he can work, the better the side." + + (12) See Isocr. "Ep." ix. "To Archidamus," S. 11-14. + + + + +VIII + +To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims +more than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was +vouchsafed and power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his +hands the sceptre of sovereignty--a kingship not plotted against, but +respected and beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen +in him, but of tender affection and courteous service to his friends +proof in abundance without seeking. Witness the zest with which he +shared in the round of lovers' talk; (1) the zeal with which he threw +himself into the serious concerns (2) of friends. By dint of a hopeful +and cheery disposition and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to +his side a throng of visitors, who came, not simply for the +transaction of some private interest, but rather to pass away the day +in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to use high-swelling +words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises, +which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at least of high +endeavour (3) in the future. + + (1) See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut. + "Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx. + + (2) Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of + his friends." + + (3) Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood." + +But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season +must not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king + (I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company +with Calleas (4) of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and +friendship with the Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it, +telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer: "He need not +be at pains to send him letters in private, but if he could prove +himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well-wisher of Hellas he should +have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship," but added, "if +your king be detected plotting, let him not think to find a friend in +me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." For my part, then, I +hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with pleasing his +fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, too, among +his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to self-congratulation +belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many legions, but to him +rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the allegiance of +better followers. + + (4) See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H. + G." x. 402. + +And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. +Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted +from the king the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself +to be seduced, either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power, to +be drawn into bonds of friendship with the king, but took precaution +rather not to abuse their confidence who were willing to revolt. + +And lastly, as beyond all controversy admirable, note this contrast: +First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches +he had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept +into his coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, +and him alone, the costliest and most precious things of earth. And +then this other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to +be totally independent of every adventitious aid. (5) And if any one +doubts the statement, let him look and see with what manner of +dwelling-place he was contented; let him view the palace doors: these +are the selfsame doors, he might well imagine, which Aristodemus, (6) +the great-great-grandson of Heracles, took and set up in the days of +the return. Let him endeavour to view the furniture inside; there he +will perceive how the king feasted on high holy days; and he will hear +how the king's own daughter was wont to drive to Amyclae in a public +basket-carriage. (7) Thus it was that by the adjustment of expenditure +to income he was never driven to the commission of any unjust deed for +money's sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold a fortress +impregnable to attack, I count it a greater glory that a man should +hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of +riches, pleasures, fears. + + (5) Or, "of all such external needs." + + (6) See Herod. vi. 52. + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words {e thugater + autou} were supplied from this passage by Casaubon. + + + + +IX + +I will here state to what extent the style of living which he +presented stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner +of the Persian. (1) In the first place, if the latter made a solemn +affectation of being but seldom seen, Agesilaus delighted to live in +the eye of day, believing that seclusion might accord well enough as a +screen for shameless conduct, but to a life of nobleness and beauty (2) +heaven's light added new ornament. (3) And next, if the one prided +himself on being unapproachable, the other rejoiced in being +accessible to all the world; the one, with his airs and graces, was +pleased to transact business slowly, the other was never so happy as +when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner without waste of +time. (4) + + (1) Or, "how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false + pretences of the Persian." For {alazoneia} see "Mem." I. vii. 1; + Aristot. "N. E." iv. 7; Theophr. "Char." vi. + + (2) Lit. "a life striving towards beauteousness." + + (3) Or, "added but greater lustre." + + (4) Lit. "could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay." + +Again, it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to +satisfy was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at. (5) For +the Persian, men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage +which he will care to drink; he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to +supply the kick-shaws he will deign to eat; and to procure him the +blessing of sleep no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must +be taken. But Agesilaus was a lover of toil, and therefore not so +dainty; the meanest beverage was sweet to his lips, and pleasant +enough to his taste was the chance fare of the moment; and for the +purpose of refreshing slumber every place alike conducive. It was not +merely that to fare thus gave him pure pleasure, but in the sense of +contrast lay a double satisfaction. Here was he roaming earth freely +in the midst of a world of delight, (6) and there lay the Persian, +under his eyes, who to escape a life of pain must drag together from +the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for his +pleasure. It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to +confront the appointed order of the universe (7) without pain; while +through weakness of soul his rival, it was plain to see, was driven to +flee away from heat and cold, and to shape his life, not by the +pattern of brave men, but of some mean and defenceless animal. (8) + + (5) See Herod. i. 135, for the luxury of the Persians and for the + refinements of civilisation. See "Mem." II. i. 10; "Cyrop." VIII. + i. 40. + + (6) Or, "in a round of festivity." + + (7) See Plut. "Ages." xiv. (Clough, iv. p. 17); "Apophth. Lac." p. + 102; Eur. "Supp." 214, 215. + + {de ou truphomen, theou kataskeuen bio + dontos toiauten, oisin ouk arkei tade}; + + (8) Or, "the most defenceless of God's creatures." Lit. "the weakest + of animals." + +And what a fine trait this was in him, and betokening how lofty a +sentiment, that, being content to adorn his own house with works and +possessions suited to a man, and being devoted to the breeding of dogs +and horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare, he persuaded +his sister Cynisca to rear chariot horses, (9) and thus by her +victory (10) showed that to keep a stud of that sort, however much it +might be a mark of wealth, was hardly a proof of manly virtue. And +surely in the following opinion we may discern plainly the generosity +of him who entertained it. To win victories over private persons in a +chariot race does not add one tittle to a man's renown. He, rather, +who holds his city dear beyond all things else, who has himself sunk +deep into the heart of her affections, who has obtained to himself all +over the world a host of friends and those the noblest, who can outdo +his country and comrades alike in the race of kindliness, and his +antagonists in vengeance--such a man may, in a true sense, be said to +bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble and magnificent; +living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame. + + (9) I.e. "for the games." + + (10) I.e. "at Olympia." Cynisca, according to Pausanias (iii. 8), was + the first woman who won a prize at Olympia. See also Plut. "Ages." + xx. (Clough, iv. p. 23). + + + + +X + +It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus. +And in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure +and thereby becomes wealthier, albeit none the more skilful in +economy; nor yet like him who, when a plague has fallen upon an enemy, +wrests a victory, whereby he may add to his reputation for success, +but not for strategy. Rather was his example that of one who in each +emergency will take the lead; at a crisis where toil is needful, by +endurance; or in the battle-lists of bravery by prowess; or when the +function of the counsellor is uppermost, by the soundness of his +judgment. Of such a man I say, he has obtained by warrant indefeasible +the title peerless. + +And if, as a means towards good workmanship, we count among the noble +inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet, (1) no less happily +shall we, who desire to attain a manly excellence, find in the virtue +of Agesilaus a pattern and example. He was God-fearing, he was just in +all his dealings, sound of soul and self-controlled. How then shall we +who imitate him become his opposite, unholy, unjust, tyrannical, +licentious? And, truth to say, this man prided himself, not so much on +being a king over others as on ruling himself, (2) not so much on +leading his citizens to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace +all virtue. + + (1) See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. + + (2) See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. + +Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished +life, that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral +hymn. (3) Far rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the +first place it is only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale +familiar to his ears when living. And in the next place, what is more +remote from dirge and lamentation than a life of glory crowned by +seasonable death? What more deserving of song and eulogy than +resplendent victories and deeds of highest note? Surely if one man +rather than another may be accounted truly blest, it is he who, from +his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and beyond all contemporary +names won what he desired; who, being gifted with a nature most +emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king unconquered; +who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without +offence (4) committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he +marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. + + (3) See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. + + (4) As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. + ad x. 4 of his edition. + + + + +XI + +It only remains for me, under the form of headings, (1) to review the +topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may +cling to the memory more lastingly. + + (1) Or, as others think, "in a summary." + +Agesilaus reverenced the shrines and sacred places even of the enemy. +We ought, he said, to make the gods our allies on hostile no less than +on friendly soil. + +He would do no violence to a suppliant, no, not even if he were his +own foe; since how irrational must it be to stigmatise robbers of +temples as sacrilegious and yet to regard him who tears the suppliant +from the altar as a pious person. + +One tenet he never wearied of repeating: the gods, he said, are not +less pleased with holy deeds than with pure victims. + +In the day of his prosperity his thoughts were not raised higher than +befits a man; he gave thanks to the gods; and offered more victims +when he had nothing to fear than he registered vows in time of +apprehension. + +He was accustomed in the midst of anxiety to wear an aspect of gaiety, +but, when the victory was won, of gentleness. + +Amongst friends his warmest greeting was reserved, not for the most +powerful, but for the most ardent; and if he hated, it was not him +who, being evil entreated, retaliated, but one who, having had +kindness done to him, seemed incapable of gratitude. + +He rejoiced when sordid greed was rewarded with poverty; and still +more if he might himself enrich a righteous man, since his wish was to +render uprightness more profitable than iniquity. + +He made it a practice to associate with all kinds of people, but to be +intimate only with the best. + +As he listened to the praise of this man, or the censure of another, +he felt that he learnt quite as much about the character of the +speakers themselves as of those whom they discussed. + +To be cheated by a friend was scarcely censurable, but he could find +no condemnation strong enough for him who was outwitted by a foe. Or +again, to dupe the incredulous might argue wit, but to take in the +unsuspecting was veritably a crime. + +The praise of a critic who had courage to point out his defects +pleased him; and plainness of speech excited in him no hostility. It +was against the cunning rather of the secretive person that he guarded +himself, as against a hidden snare. + +The calumniator he detested more than the robber or the thief, in +proportion as the loss of friends is greater than the loss of +money. (2) + + (2) Mr. R. W. Taylor aptly quotes "Othello," III. iii. 157-- + + "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; + 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; + But he that filches from me my good name + Robs me of that which not enriches him + And makes me poor indeed." + + +The errors of private persons he bore with gently, but those of rulers +he looked upon as grave; since the mischief wrought in the one case +was so small, and so large in the other. The proper attribute of +royalty was, he maintained, not an avoidance of responsibility, but a +constant striving after nobleness. (3) + + (3) On the word {kalokagathia} so translated, see Demosth. 777, 5. + +Whilst he would not suffer any image (4) of his bodily form to be set +up (though many wished to present him with a statue), he never ceased +elaborating what should prove the monument of his spirit, holding that +the former is the business of a statuary, the latter of one's self. +Wealth might procure the one, he said, but only a good man could +produce the other. + + (4) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2); also Plut. "Ap. Lac." p. + 115; ib. p. 103; Cic. "ad Div." V. xii. 7. + +As for riches, he employed them not with justice merely, but with +liberality, holding that for a just man it is sufficient if he let +alone the things of others, but of a liberal man it is required that +he should take of his own and give to supply another's needs. + +He was ever subject to religious fear, (5) believing that no man during +his lifetime, however well he lives, can be counted happy; it is only +he who has ended his days with glory of whom it can be said that he +has attained at last to blessedness. (6) + + (5) See "Cyr." III. iii. 58, and for the word {deisidaimon}, see Jebb, + "Theophr. Char." p. 263 foll.; Mr. Ruskin, Preface to "Bibl. + Past." vol. i. p. xxv. + + (6) See Herod. i. 34; Soph. "Oed. Tyr." 1529; and Prof. Jebb's note ad + loc. + +In his judgment it was a greater misfortune to neglect things good and +virtuous, knowing them to be so, than in ignorance. Nor was he +enamoured of any reputation, the essentials of which he had not +laboriously achieved. (7) + + (7) Or, "for which he did not qualify himself by the appropriate + labour." + +He was one of the small band, as it seemed to me, who regard virtue, +not as a thing to be patiently endured, (8) but as a supreme enjoyment. +At any rate, to win the praise of mankind gave him a deeper pleasure +than the acquisition of wealth; and he preferred to display courage +far rather in conjunction with prudence than with unnecessary risks, +and to cultivate wisdom in action more than by verbal discussion. + + (8) Or, "as a system of stoical endurance," "a kind of stoicism." But + we must not let Xenophon, who is a Socratic, talk of the Stoa. If + we knew certainly that the chapter was a much later production, + the language would be appropriate enough. + +Very gentle to his friends, to his enemies he was most terrible. +Whilst he could hold out against toil and trouble with the best, +nothing pleased him better than yielding to his comrades. But passion +was kindled in him by beauty of deed rather than of person. (9) + + (9) Or, "beauteous deeds rather than bodily splendour." + +Skilled in the exercise of self-command in the midst of external +welfare, he could be stout of heart enough in stress of danger. + +Urbanity he practised, not with jest and witticism, but by the +courtesy of his demeanour. + +In spite of a certain haughtiness, he was never overbearing, but rich +in saving common sense. At any rate, while pouring contempt upon +arrogance, he bore himself more humbly than the most ordinary man. In +fact, what he truly took a pride in was the simplicity of his own +attire, in contrast with the splendid adornment of his troops; or, +again, in the paucity of his own wants, combined with a bountiful +liberality towards his friends. + +Besides all this, as an antagonist he could hit hard enough, but no +one ever bore a lighter hand when the victory was won. (10) + + (10) Lit. "he was the heaviest of antagonists and the lightest of + conquerors." + +The same man, whom an enemy would have found it hard to deceive, was +pliability itself in the concerns of his friends. Whilst for ever +occupied in laying these on a secure foundation, he made it a +ceaseless task to baffle the projects of the national foe. + +The epithets applied to him are significant. His relatives found in +him a kinsman who was more than kind. To his intimates he appeared as +a friend in need who is a friend indeed. To the man who had done him +some service, of tenacious memory. To the victim of injustice, a +knight-errant. And to those who had incurred danger by his side, a +saviour second only to the gods. + +It was given to this man, as it appears to me, to prove exceptionally +that though strength of body may wax old the vigour of a man's soul is +exempt from eld. Of him, at any rate, it is true that he never shrank +from the pursuit of great and noble objects, so long as (11) his body +was able to support the vigour of his soul. Therefore his old age +appeared mightier than the youth of other people. It would be hard to +discover, I imagine, any one who in the prime of manhood was as +formidable to his foes as Agesilaus when he had reached the limit of +mortal life. Never, I suppose, was there a foeman whose removal came +with a greater sense of relief to the enemy than that of Agesilaus, +though a veteran when he died. Never was there a leader who inspired +stouter courage in the hearts of fellow-combatants than this man with +one foot planted in the grave. Never was a young man snatched from a +circle of loving friends with tenderer regret than this old graybeard. + + (11) Reading, {megalon kai kalon ephiemenos, eos kai to soma, k.t.l.} + See Breitenbach. + +The benefactor of his fatherland, absolutely to the very end; with +bounteous hand, even in the arms of death, dealing out largesse (12) to +the city which he loved. And so they bore him home to his eternal +resting-place; (13) this hero, who, having raised to himself many a +monument of his valour over the broad earth, came back to find in the +land of his fathers a sepulture worthy of a king. (14) + + (12) See above, ii. 31. + + (13) See for this remarkable phrase, Diod. i. 51. + + (14) See "Pol. Lac." xv. 9. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Agesilaus, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGESILAUS *** + +***** This file should be named 1169.txt or 1169.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/6/1169/ + +Produced by John Bickers + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/1169.zip b/old/1169.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..17daaeb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1169.zip diff --git a/old/old/agsls10.txt b/old/old/agsls10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5be35a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/agsls10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1873 @@ +******The Project Gutenberg Etext of Agesilaus by Xenophon****** +Translation by H. G. Dakyns +#1 in our series of Xenophon translations by Dakyns + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +Agesilaus + +by Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + +January, 1998 [Etext #1169] + + +******The Project Gutenberg Etext of Agesilaus by Xenophon****** +******This file should be named agsls10.txt or agsls10.zip****** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, agsls10.txt. +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, agsls10a.txt. + + +This etext was prepared by John Bickers, jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz + + +We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance +of the official release dates, for time for better editing. + +Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an +up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes +in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has +a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a +look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a +new copy has at least one byte more or less. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take +to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text +files per month, or 384 more Etexts in 1997 for a total of 1000+ +If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the +total should reach over 100 billion Etexts given away. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext +Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 +should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it +will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. + + +We need your donations more than ever! + + +All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are +tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- +Mellon University). + +For these and other matters, please mail to: + +Project Gutenberg +P. O. Box 2782 +Champaign, IL 61825 + +When all other email fails try our Executive Director: +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +We would prefer to send you this information by email +(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). + +****** +If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please +FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: +[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] + +ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu +login: anonymous +password: your@login +cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 +or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] +dir [to see files] +get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] +GET INDEX?00.GUT +for a list of books +and +GET NEW GUT for general information +and +MGET GUT* for newsletters. + +**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** +(Three Pages) + + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- +tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor +Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at +Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other +things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this +etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, +officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost +and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or +indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: +[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, +or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- + cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the + net profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon + University" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +Etext prepared by John Bickers, jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz. + + + + + +AGESILAUS + +By Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + + + + +Dedicated To +Rev. B. Jowett, M.A. +Master of Balliol College +Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford + + + +Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a +pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, +and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land +and property in Scillus, where he lived for many +years before having to move once more, to settle +in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + +The Agesilaus summarises the life of his Spartan +friend and king, whom he met after the events of +the Anabasis. + + + + + +PREPARER'S NOTE + +This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a +four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though +there is doubt about some of these) is: + +Work Number of books + +The Anabasis 7 +The Hellenica 7 +The Cyropaedia 8 +The Memorabilia 4 +The Symposium 1 +The Economist 1 +On Horsemanship 1 +The Sportsman 1 +The Cavalry General 1 +The Apology 1 +On Revenues 1 +The Hiero 1 +The Agesilaus 1 +The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + +Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into +English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The +diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + + +AGESILAUS + +An Encomium + +The date of Agesilaus's death is uncertain--360 B.C. (Grote, +"H. G." ix. 336); 358 B.C. (Curt. iv. 196, Eng. tr.) + + +I + +To write the praises of Agesilaus in language equalling his virtue and +renown is, I know, no easy task; yet must it be essayed; since it were +but an ill requital of pre-eminence, that, on the ground of his +perfection, a good man should forfeit the tribute even of imperfect +praise. + +As touching, therefore, the excellency of his birth, what weightier, +what nobler testimony can be adduced than this one fact? To the +commemorative list of famous ancestry is added to-day the name[1] +Agesilaus as holding this or that numerical descent from Heracles, and +these ancestors no private persons, but kings sprung from the loins of +kings. Nor is it open to the gainsayer to contend that they were kings +indeed but of some chance city. Not so, but even as their family holds +highest honour in their fatherland, so too is their city the most +glorious in Hellas, whereby they hold, not primacy over the second +best, but among leaders they have leadership. + +[1] Or, "even to-day, in the proud bead-roll of his ancestry he stands + commemorated, in numerical descent from Heracles." + +And herein it is open to us to praise both his fatherland and his +family. It is notable that never throughout these ages has Lacedaemon, +out of envy of the privilege accorded to her kings, tried to dissolve +their rule; nor ever yet throughout these ages have her kings strained +after greater powers than those which limited their heritage of +kingship from the first. Wherefore, while all other forms of +government, democracies and oligarchies, tyrannies and monarchies, +alike have failed to maintain their continuity unbroken, here, as the +sole exception, endures indissolubly their kingship.[2] + +[2] See "Cyrop." I. i. 1. + +And next in token of an aptitude for kingship seen in Agesilaus, +before even he entered upon office, I note these signs. On the death +of Agis, king of Lacedaemon, there were rival claimants to the throne. +Leotychides claimed the succession as being the son of Agis, and +Agesilaus as the son of Archidamus. But the verdict of Lacedaemon +favoured Agesilaus as being in point of family and virtue +unimpeachable,[3] and so they set him on the throne. And yet, in this +princeliest of cities so to be selected by the noblest citizens as +worthy of highest privilege, argues, methinks conclusively, an +excellence forerunning exercise of rule.[4] + +[3] For this matter see "Hell." III. iii. 1-6; V. iv. 13; Plut. + "Ages." iii. 3 (Cloigh, iv. 3 foll.); Paus. iii. 3. + +[4] See Aristides ("Rhet." 776), who quotes the passage for its + measured cadence. + +And so I pass on at once to narrate the chief achievements of his +reign, since by the light of deeds the character of him who wrought +them will, if I mistake not, best shine forth. + +Agesilaus was still a youth[5] when he obtained the kingdom, and he +was still but a novice in his office when the news came that the king +of Persia was collecting a mighty armament by sea and land for the +invasion of Hellas. The Lacedaemonians and their allies sat debating +these matters, when Agesilaus undertook to cross over into Asia. He +only asked for thirty Spartans and two thousand New Citizens,[6] +besides a contingent of the allies six thousand strong; with these he +would cross over into Asia and endeavour to effect a peace; or, if the +barbarian preferred war, he would leave him little leisure to invade +Hellas. + +[5] B.C. 399; according to Plut. ("Ages." ad fin.) he was forty-three, + and therefore still "not old." See "Hell." III. iv. 1 for the + startling news, B.C. 396. + +[6] For the class of Neodamodes, see Arnold's note to Thuc. v. 34 + (Jowett, "Thuc." ii. 307); also Thuc. vii. 58; "Hell." I. iii. 15. + +The proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm on the part of many. They +could not but admire the eagerness of their king to retaliate upon the +Persian for his former invasions of Hellas by counter-invasion on his +own soil. They liked the preference also which he showed for attacking +rather than awaiting his enemy's attack, and his intention to carry on +the war at the expense of Persia rather than that of Hellas; but it +was the perfection of policy, they felt, so to change the arena of +battle, with Asia as the prize of victory instead of Hellas. If we +pass on to the moment when he had received his army and set sail, I +can conceive no clearer exposition of his generalship than the bare +narration of his exploits. + +The scene is Asia, and this his first achievement. Tissaphernes had +sworn an oath to Agesilaus on this wise: if Agesilaus would grant him +an armistice until the return of certain ambassadors whom he would +send to the king, he (Tissaphernes) would do his utmost to procure the +independence of the Hellenic cities in Asia. And Agesilaus took a +counter oath: without fraud or covin to observe the armistice during +the three months[7] necessary to that transaction. But the compact was +scarcely made when Tissaphernes gave the lie to the solemn undertaking +he had sworn to. So far from effecting peace, he begged the King to +send him a large armament in addition to that which he already had. As +to Agesilaus, though he was well aware of these proceedings, he +adhered loyally to the armistice. + +[7] See Grote, "H. G." x. 359; "Hell." III. iv. 5. + +And for myself, I look upon this as the first glorious achievement of +the Spartan. By displaying the perjury of Tissaphernes he robbed him +of his credit with all the world; by the exhibition of himself in +contrast as a man who ratified his oath and would not gainsay an +article of his agreement, he gave all men, Hellenes and barbarians +alike, encouragement to make covenant with him to the full extent of +his desire. + +When Tissaphernes, priding himself on the strength of that army which +had come down to aid him, bade Agesilaus to be gone from Asia or to +prepare for war,[8] deep was the vexation depicted on the faces of the +Lacedaemonians there present and their allies, as they realised that +the scanty force of Agesilaus was all too small to cope with the +armaments of Persia. But the brow of their general was lit with joy as +gaily he bade the ambassadors take back this answer to Tissaphernes: +"I hold myself indebted to your master for the perjury whereby he has +obtained to himself the hostility of heaven, and made the gods +themselves allies of Hellas." And so without further pause he +published a general order to his soldiers to pack their baggage and +prepare for active service; and to the several cities which lay on the +line of march to Caria, the order sped to have their markets in +readiness; while to the men of Ionia and the Aeolid and the Hellespont +he sent despatches bidding them send their contingents to Ephesus to +join in the campaign. + +[8] Lit. "When Tissaphernes, priding himself . . . bade Agesilaus be + gone . . . deep was the annoyance felt." + +Tissaphernes meanwhile was influenced by the fact that Agesilaus had +no cavalry, and that Caria was a hilly district unsuited for that arm. +Moreover, as he further bethought him, Agesilaus must needs be wroth +with him for his deceit. What could be clearer, therefore, than that +he was about to make a dash at the satrap's home in Caria? Accordingly +he transported the whole of his infantry into Caria and marched his +cavalry round the while into the plain of the Maeander, persuaded that +he would trample the Hellenes under the hoofs of his horses long +before they reached the district where no cavalry could operate. + +But Agesilaus, instead of advancing upon Caria, turned right about and +marched in the direction of Phrygia. Picking up the various forces +that met him on his progress, he passed onwards, laying city after +city at his feet, and by the suddenness of his incursion capturing +enormous wealth. + +Here was an achievement which showed the genius of a general, as all +agreed. When once war as declared, and the arts of circumvention and +deceit were thereby justified, he had proved Tissaphernes to be a very +bade in subtlety;[9] and with what sagacity again did he turn the +circumstances to account for the enrichment of his friends. Owing to +the quantity of wealth captured, precious things were selling for a +mere song. Thereupon he gave his friends warning to make their +purchases, adding that he should at once march down to the sea-coast +at the head of his troops. The quartermasters meanwhile received +orders to make a note of the purchasers with the prices of the +articles, and to consign the goods. The result was that, without prior +disbursement on their part, or detriment to the public treasury, his +friends reaped an enormous harvest. Moreover, when deserters came with +offers to disclose hidden treasures, and naturally enough laid their +proposal before the king himself, he took care to have the capture of +these treasures effected by his friends, which would enable them to do +a stroke of business, and at the same time redound to their prestige. +For this reason he was not long in discovering many an eager aspirant +to his friendship. + +[9] See below, xi. 4; "Mem." III. i. 6; IV. ii. 15; "Cyrop." I. vi. + 31; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 10). + +But a country pillaged and denuded of inhabitants would not long +support an army. That he felt. A more perennial source of supply was +surely to be found in waving cornfields and thickly clustering +homesteads. So with infinite pains he set himself not merely to crush +his foes by force, but also to win them to his side by gentleness. In +this spirit he often enjoined upon his soldiers to guard their +captives as fellow-men rather than take vengeance upon them as +evildoers;[10] or, on a change of quarters, if aware of little +children left behind by the dealers (since the men often sold them in +the belief that it would be impossible to carry them away and rear +them), he would show concern in behalf of these poor waifs and have +them conveyed to some place of safety; or he would entrust them to the +care of fellow-prisoners also left behind on account of old age; in no +case must they be left to ravening dogs and wolves. In this way he won +the goodwill not only of those who heard tell of these doings but of +the prisoners themselves. And whenever he brought over a city to his +side, he set the citizens free from the harsher service of a bondsman +to his lord, imposing the gentler obedience of a freeman to his ruler. +Indeed, there were fortresses impregnable to assault which he brought +under his power by the subtler force of human kindness. + +[10] See Grote, vol. ix. p. 365 foll. + +But when, in Phrygia even, the freedom of his march along the flats +was hampered by the cavalry of Pharnabazus, he saw that if he wished +to avoid a skulking warfare under cover, a force of cavalry was +indispensable. Accordingly he enlisted the wealthiest members of every +city in those parts to breed and furnish horses; with this saving +clause, however: that the individual who furnished a horse and arms +with a good rider should be exempt from service himself. By this means +he engendered an eagerness to discharge the obligation, not unlike +that of the condemned man, casting about to discover some one to die +in his place.[11] He further ordered some of the states themselves to +furnish contingents of mounted troopers, and this in the conviction +that from such training-centres he would presently get a pick of +cavaliers proud of their horsemanship. And thus once more he won +golden opinions by the skill with which he provided himself with a +body of cavalry in the plenitude of strength and ripe for active +service. + +[11] Instead of the plain {zetoie} of the parallel passage ("Hell." + III. iv. 15) the encomiast prefers the poetical {masteuoi}. + +On the approach of early spring[12] he collected his whole armament at +Ephesus, and set himself to the work of training it. With that object +he proposed a series of prizes: one set for the cavalry squadron which +rode best, another for the heavy infantry divisions which presented +the best physique, another again for various light troops, peltasts, +and bowmen, which showed themselves most efficient in their respective +duties. + +[12] B.C. 395; see "Hell." III. iv. 16; Plut. "Marcel." (Clough, ii. + 262); Polyb. xii. 20, 7. + +Thereupon it was a sight to see the gymnasiums thronged with warriors +going through their exercises, the racecourses crowded with troopers +on prancing steeds, the archers and the javelin men shooting at the +butts. Nay, the whole city in which he lay was transformed into a +spectacle itself, so filled to overflowing was the market-place with +arms and armour of every sort, and horses, all for sale. Here were +coppersmiths and carpenters, ironfounders and cobblers, painters and +decorators--one and all busily engaged in fabricating the implements +of war; so that an onlooker might have thought the city of Ephesus +itself a gigantic arsenal. It would have kindled courage in the breast +of a coward to see the long lines of soldiers, with Agesilaus at their +head, all garlanded as they marched in proud procession from the +gymnasiums and dedicated their wreaths to our Lady Artemis. Since, +where these three elements exist--reverence towards heaven, practice +in military affairs, and obedience to command--all else must needs be +full of happy promise. + +But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain +strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the +barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The +soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for +toil, soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only +stir abroad in carriages, concluded that a war with women would +scarcely be more formidable. Then he published a further order to the +soldiers: "I shall lead you at once by the shortest route to the +stronghold[13] of the enemy's territory. Your general asks you to keep +yourselves on the alert in mind and body, as men about to enter the +lists of battle on the instant." + +[13] Or, "the richest parts of the country," viz. Lydia; Plut. "Ages." + x. + +But Tissaphernes was persuaded that this was all talk on his part for +the purpose of outwitting him a second time: now certainly Agesilaus +would make an incursion into Caria. So once again the satrap +transported his infantry over into that country just has he had done +before, and as before he posted his cavalry in the plain of the +Maeander. + +This time, however, Agesilaus was true to his word. In accordance with +his published order he advanced straight upon the region of Sardis, +and, during a three days' march through a country where not an enemy +was to be seen, provided his army with abundant supplies. On the +fourth day the enemy's cavalry came up. The Persian general ordered +the commandant of his baggage train to cross the Pactolus and encamp, +whilst his troopers, who had caught sight of the camp followers of the +Hellenes scattered in search of booty, put many of them to the sword. +Agesilaus, aware how matters were going, ordered his cavalry to the +rescue, and the Persians on their side, seeing the enemy's supports +approaching, collected and formed up in line to receive them with the +serried squadrons of their cavalry. And now Agesilaus, conscious that +his enemy's infantry had not as yet arrived, whilst on his side no +element in his preparation was lacking, felt that the moment was come +to join battle if he could. Accordingly he sacrificed and advanced +against the opposing lines of cavalry. A detachment of heavy infantry, +the ten-years-service men, had orders to close with them at the run, +while the light infantry division were told to show them the way at a +swinging pace. At the same time he passed the order along the line of +his cavalry to charge in reliance of the support of himself and the +main body in their rear. Charge they did, these troopers, and the pick +of Persian cavalry received them bravely, but in face of the conjoint +horror of the attack they swerved, and some were cut down at once in +the river-bed, while others sought safety in flight. The Hellenes +followed close on the heels of the flying foe, and captured his camp. +Here the peltasts, not unnaturally, fell to pillaging, whereupon +Agesilaus formed a cordon of troops, round the property of friends and +foes alike, and so encamped. + +Presently hearing that the enemy were in a state of disorder, the +result of every one holding his fellow responsible for what had +happened, he advanced without further stay on Sardis. Having arrived, +he fell to burning and ravaging the suburbs, while at the same time he +did not fail to make it known by proclamation that those who asked for +freedom should join his standard; or if there were any who claimed a +right of property in Asia he challenged them to come out and meet her +liberators in fair fight and let the sword decide between them. +Finding that no one ventured to come out to meet him, his march became +for the future a peaceful progress. All around him he beheld Hellenes +who formerly were forced to bow the knee to brutal governors now +honoured by their former tyrants, while those who had claimed to enjoy +divine honours were so humbled by him that they scarce dared to look a +Hellene in the face. Everywhere he saved the territory of his friends +from devastation, and reaped the fruits of the enemy's soil to such +good effect that within two years he was able to dedicate as a tithe +to the god at Delphi more than one hundred talents.[14] + +[14] = 25,000 pounds nearly. + +It was then that the Persian king, believing that Tissaphernes was to +blame for the ill success of his affairs, sent down Tithraustes and +cut off the satrap's head. After this the fortunes of the barbarians +grew still more desperate, whilst those of Agesilaus assumed a bolder +front. On all side embassies from the surrounding nations came to make +terms of friendship, and numbers even came over to him, stretching out +eager arms to grasp at freedom. So that Agesilaus was now no longer +the chosen captain of the Hellenes only, but of many Asiatics. + +And here we may pause and consider what a weight of admiration is due +to one who, being now ruler over countless cities of the continent, +and islands also (since the state had further entrusted the navy to +his hands), just when he had reached this pinnacle of renown and +power, and might look to turn to account his thronging fortunes; when, +too, which overtops all else, he was cherishing fond hopes to dissolve +that empire which in former days had dared to march on Hellas;--at +such a moment suffered himself not to be overmastered by these +promptings, but on receipt of a summons of the home authorities to +come to the assistance of the fatherland, obeyed the mandate of his +state as readily[15] as though he stood confronted face to face with +the Five in the hall of ephors; and thus gave clear proof that he +would not accept the whole earth in exchange for the land of his +fathers, nor newly-acquired in place of ancient friends, nor base +gains ingloriously purchased rather than the perilous pursuit of +honour and uprightness.[16] + +[15] Cf. Hor. "Od." III. v. 50. + +[16] See Pindar, "Olymp." vi. 14. + +And, indeed, glancing back at the whole period during which he +remained in the exercise of his authority, no act of deeper +significance in proof of his kingly qualities need be named than this. +He found the cities which he was sent out to govern each and all a +prey to factions, the result of constitutional disturbances consequent +on the cessation of the Athenian empire, and without resort to exile +or sanguinary measures he so disposed them by his healing presence +that civil concord and material prosperity were permanently +maintained. Therefore it was that the Hellenes in Asia deplored his +departure,[17] as though they had lost, not simply a ruler, but a +father or bosom friend, and in the end they showed that their +friendship was of no fictitious character. At any rate, they +voluntarily helped him to succour Lacedaemon, though it involved, as +they knew, the need of doing battle with combatants of equal prowess +with themselves. So the tale of his achievements in Asia has an end. + +[17] See Plut. "Ages." xv. + + + + +II + +He crossed the Hellespont and made his way through the very tribes +traversed by the Persian[1] with his multitudinous equipment in former +days, and the march which cost the barbarian a year was accomplished +by Agesilaus in less than a single month. He did not want to arrive a +day too late to serve his fatherland. And so passing through Macedonia +he arrived in Thessaly, and here the men of Larissa, Crannon, +Scotussa, and Pharsalus, who were allies of the Boeotians, and indeed +all the Thessalians, with the exception of those who were in exile at +the time, combined to dog his steps and do him damage. For a while he +led his troops in a hollow square, posting one half of his cavalry in +the van and the other half on his rear, but finding his march hindered +by frequent attacks of the Thessalians on his hindmost divisions, he +sent round the mass of his cavalry from the vanguard to support his +rear, reserving only his personal escort.[2] And now in battle order +the rival squadrons faced each other; when the Thessalians, not liking +a cavalry engagement in face of heavy infantry, wheeled and step by +step retreated; their opponents with much demureness following. Then +Agesilaus, detecting the common error under which both parties +laboured, sent round his own bodyguard of stalwart troopers with +orders to their predecessors (an order they would act upon themselves) +to charge the enemy at full gallop and not give him a chance to rally. +The Thessalians, in face of this unexpected charge, either could not +so much as rally, or in the attempt to do so were caught with their +horses' flanks exposed to the enemy's attack. Polycharmus, the +Pharsalian, a commandant of cavalry, did indeed succeed in wheeling, +but was cut down with those about him sword in hand. This was the +signal for a flight so extraordinary that dead and dying lined the +road, and the living were captured wholesale, nor was a halt made +until the pursuers reached Mount Narthacius. Here, midway between Pras +and Narthacius, Agesilaus erected a trophy, and here for the moment he +halted in unfeigned satisfaction at his exploit, since it was from an +antagonist boasting the finest cavalry in the world that he had +wrested victory with a body of cavalry organised by himself. + +[1] I.e. "Xerxes." + +[2] I.e. "the Three hundred." See Thuc. v. 72; "Pol. Lac." xiii. 6. + +Next day, crossing the mountain barrier of Achaea Phthiotis, his march +lay through friendly territory for the rest of the way as far as the +frontiers of Boeotia. Here he found the confederates drawn up in +battle line. They consisted of the Thebans, the Athenians, the +Argives, the Corinthians, the Aenianians, the Euboeans, and both +divisions of the Locrians.[3] He did not hesitate, but openly before +their eyes drew out his lines to give them battle. He had with him a +division[4] and a half of Lacedaemonians, and from the seat of war +itself the allied troops of the Phocians and the men of Orchomenus +only, besides the armament which he had brought with him from Asia. + +[3] See "Hell." IV. ii. 7. + +[4] Lit. "mora." + +I am not going to maintain that he ventured on the engagement in spite +of having far fewer and inferior forces. Such an assertion would only +reveal the senselessness of the general[5] and the folly of the writer +who should select as praiseworthy the reckless imperilling of mighty +interests. On the contrary, what I admire is the fact that he had +taken care to provide himself with an army not inferior to that of his +enemy, and had so equipped them that his cohorts literally gleamed +with purple and bronze.[6] He had taken pains to enable his soldiers +to undergo the fatigue of war, he had filled their breasts with a +proud consciousness that they were equal to do battle with any +combatants in the world, and what was more, he had infused a wholesome +rivalry in those about him to prove themselves each better than the +rest. He had filled all hearts with sanguine expectation of great +blessings to descend on all, if they proved themselves good men. Such +incentives, he thought, were best calculated to arouse enthusiasm in +men's souls to engage in battle with the enemy. And in this +expectation he was not deceived. + +[5] Lit. "Agesilaus." + +[6] See "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1. + +I proceed to describe the battle, for in certain distinctive features +it differed from all the battles of our day. The contending forces met +on the plain of Coronea, Agesilaus and his troops approaching from the +Cephisus, the Thebans and their allies from the slopes of the Helicon. +These masses of infantry, as any eye might see, were of duly balanced +strength, while as near as could be the cavalry on either side was +numerically the same. Agesilaus held the right of his own army, and on +his extreme left lay the men of Orchomenus. On the opposite side the +Thebans themselves formed their own right and the Argives held their +left. While the two armies approached a deep silence prevailed on +either side, but when they were now a single furlong's[7] space apart +the Thebans quickened to a run, and, with a loud hurrah, dashed +forward to close quarters. And now there was barely a hundred yards[8] +between them, when Herippidas, with his foreign brigade, rushed +forward from the Spartan's battle lines to meet them. This brigade +consisted partly of troops which had served with Agesilaus ever since +he left home, with a portion of the Cyreians, besides Ionians, +Aeolians, and their neighbours on the Hellespont. All these took part +in the foward rush of the attack just mentioned, and coming within +spear-thrust they routed that portion of the enemy in front of them. +The Argives did not even wait for Agesilaus and his division, but fled +towards Helicon, and at that moment some of his foreign friends were +on the point of crowning Agesilaus with the wreath of victory, when +some one brought him word that the Thebans had cut through the +division from Orchomenus and were busy with the baggage-train. +Accordingly he at once deployed his division and advanced by +counter-march against them. The Thebans on their side, seeing that +their allies had scattered on Helicon, and eager to make their way +back to join their friends, began advancing sturdily. + +[7] Lit. "a stade." + +[8] Lit. "three plethra." + +To assert that Agesilaus at this crisis displayed real valour is to +assert a thing indisputable, but for all that the course he adopted +was not the safest. It was open to him to let the enemy pass in their +effort to rejoin their friends, and that done to have hung upon their +heels and overmastered their rear ranks, but he did nothing of the +sort: what he did was, to crash front to front against the Thebans. +And so with shields interlocked they shoved and fought and fought and +shoved, dealing death and yielding life. There was no shouting, nor +yet was there even silence, but a strange and smothered utterance, +such as rage and battle vent.[9] At last a portion of the Thebans +forced their way through towards Helicon, but many were slain in that +departure. + +[9] Or, "as the rage and fury of battle may give vent to." See + "Cyrop." VII. i. 38-40. A graphic touch omitted in "Hell." IV. + iii. 19. + +Victory remained with Agesilaus. Wounded himself, they bore him back +to his own lines, when some of his troopers came galloping up to tell +him that eighty of the enemy had taken refuge with their arms[10] +under cover of the Temple,[11] and they asked what they ought to do. +He, albeit he had received wounds all over him, having been the mark +of divers weapons, did not even so forget his duty to God, and gave +orders to let them go whithersoever they chose, nor suffered them to +be ill-treated, but ordered his bodyguard of cavalry to escort them +out of reach of danger. + +[10] I.e. "they had kept their arms." + +[11] See Plut. "Ages." xix.; Paus. ix. 34. + +And now that the battle had ceased, it was a sight to see where the +encounter took place, the earth bedabbled with gore, the dead lying +cheek by jowl, friend and foe together, and the great shields hacked +and broken to pieces, and the spears snapped asunder, the daggers +lying bare of sheaths, some on the ground, some buried in the bodies, +some still clutched in the dead men's hands. For the moment then, +seeing that it was already late in the day, they dragged together the +corpses of their slain apart from those of the enemy[12] and laid them +within the lines, and took their evening meal and slept; but early +next morning Agesilaus ordered Gylis, the polemarch, to marshal the +troops in battle order and to set up a trophy, while each man donned a +wreath in honour of the god, and the pipers piped. So they busied +themselves, but the Thebans sent a herald asking leave to bury their +dead under cover of a truce. And so it came to pass that a truce was +made, and Agesilaus departed homewards, having chosen, in lieu of +supreme greatness in Asia, to rule, and to be ruled, in obedience to +the laws at home. + +[12] Reading, {tous ek ton polemion nekrous}, after Weiske. + +It was after this[13] that his attention was drawn to the men of +Argos. They had appropriated Corinth, and were reaping the fruits of +their fields at home. The war to them was a merry jest. Accordingly he +marched against them; and having ravaged their territory throughout, +he crossed over by the pass[14] down upon Corinth and captured the +long walls leading to Lechaeum. And so having thrown open the gates of +Peloponnese he returned home in time for the Hyacinthia,[15] where, in +the post assigned to him by the master of the chorus, he shared in the +performance of the paean in honour of the god. + +[13] B.C. 393. + +[14] {kata ta stena}. See "Hell." IV. iv. 19. {kata Tenean}, according + to Koppen's emendation. + +[15] See Grote, "H. G." v. 208; Herod. ix. 7; "Hell." IV. v. 10. + +Later on, it being brought to his notice that the Corinthians were +keeping all their cattle safely housed in the Peiraeum, sowing the +whole of that district, and gathering in their crops; and, which was a +matter of the greatest moment, that the Boeotians, with Creusis as +their base of operations, could pour their succours into Corinth by +this route--he marched against Peiraeum. Finding it strongly guarded, +he made as if the city of Corinth were about to capitulate, and +immediately after the morning meal shifted his ground and encamped +against the capital. Under cover of night there was a rush from +Peiraeum to protect the city, which he was well aware of, and with +break of day he turned right about and took Peiraeum, defenceless as +it lay, capturing all that it contained, with the various fortresses +within; and having so done retired homewards. + +After these exploits[16] the Achaeans were urgent for an alliance, and +begged him to join them in an expedition against Acarnania. In the +course of this the Acarnanians attacked him in a defile. Storming the +heights above his head with his light troops,[17] he gave them battle, +and slew many of them, and set up a trophy, nor stayed his hand until +he had united the Acarnanians, the Aetolians, and the Argives,[18] in +friendship with the Achaeans and alliance with himself. + +[16] B.C. 390-389? + +[17] See "Hell." IV. vi. 9-11, where it is expressly stated that the + action was won by the Spartan hoplites. See Hartman, "An. Xen." + (cap. xi. "De Agesilao libello"), p. 263, for other discrepancies + between the historian and the encomiast. + +[18] See perhaps "Hell." IV. iv. 19; vii. 2 foll. + +When the enemy, being desirous of peace, sent an embassy, it was +Agesilaus who spoke against the peace,[19] until he had forced the +states of Corinth and of Thebes to welcome back those of them who, for +Lacedaemon's sake, had suffered banishment. + +[19] I.e. "of Antalcidas, B.C. 387." See "Hell." V. i. 36; Grote, "H. + G." ix. 537 note. + +And still later,[20] again, he restored the exiles of the Phliasians, +who had suffered in the same cause, and with that object marched in +person against Phlius, a proceeding which, however liable to censure +on other grounds, showed unmistakable attachment to his party.[21] + +[20] B.C. 383 and 380; see "Hell." V. ii. 10; iii. 10. + +[21] See "Hell." V. iii. 16. + +Thus, when the adverse faction had put to death those of the +Lacedaemonians then in Thebes, he brought succour to his friends, and +marched upon Thebes.[22] Finding the entire country fenced with ditch +and palisading, he crossed Cynoscephalae[23] and ravaged the district +right up to the city itself, giving the Thebans an opportunity of +engaging him in the plain or upon the hills, as they preferred. And +once more, in the ensuing year,[24] he marched against Thebes, and now +surmounting these palisades and entrenchments at Scolus,[25] he +ravaged the remainder of Boeotia. + +[22] B.C. 378. + +[23] See "Hell." V. iv. 34 foll.; for the site see Breitenbach, ad + loc. + +[24] B.C. 377. + +[25] See "Hell." V. iv. 47. + +Hitherto fortune had smiled in common upon the king himself and upon +his city. And as for the disasters which presently befell, no one can +maintain that they were brought about under the leadership of +Agesilaus. But the day came when, after the disaster which had +occurred at Leuctra, the rival powers in conjunction with the +Mantineans fell to massacring his friends and adherents[26] in Tegea +(the confederacy between all the states of Boeotia, the Arcadians, and +the Eleians being already an accomplished fact). Thereupon, with the +forces of Lacedaemon alone,[27] he took the field, and thus belied the +current opinion that it would be a long while before the +Lacedaemonians ventured to leave their own territory again. Having +ravaged the country of those who had done his friends to death, he was +content, and returned home. + +[26] Or intimates. + +[27] B.C. 370. See "Hell."VI. v. 21. + +After this Lacedaemon was invaded by the united Arcadians, Argives, +Eleians, and Boeotians, who were assisted by the Phocians, both +sections of the Locrians, the Thessalians, Aenianians, Acarnanians, +and Euboeans; moreover, the slaves had revolted and several of the +provincial cities;[28] while of the Spartans themselves as many had +fallen on the field of Leuctra as survived. But in spite of all, he +safely guarded the city, and that too a city without walls and +bulwarks. Forbearing to engage in the open field, where the gain would +lie wholly with the enemy, he lay stoutly embattled on ground where +the citizens must reap advantage; since, as he doggedly persisted, to +march out meant to be surrounded on every side; whereas to stand at +bay where every defile gave a coign of vantage, would give him mastery +complete.[29] + +[28] Lit. "perioecid"; see Plut. "Ages." xxxii. (Clough, iv. 39); + "Hell." VI. v. 32. + +[29] Is this parallel to "Hell." VII. v. 10, or "Hell." VI. v. 28? + According to the historian, Agesilaus adopted similar tactics on + both occasions (in B.C. 369 and B.C. 362 alike). The encomiast + after his manner appears to treat them as one. Once and again his + hero "cunctando restituit rem," but it was by the same strategy. + +After the invading army had retired, no one will gainsay the sound +sense of his behaviour. Old age debarred him from active service on +foot or horse, and what the city chiefly needed now, he saw, was +money, if she looked to gain allies. To the task therefore of +providing that he set himself. Everything that could be done by +stopping at home he deftly turned his hand to; or when the call arose +and he could better help his country by departure he had no false +pride; he set off on foreign service, not as general, but as +ambassador. Yet on such embassy he achieved acts worthy of the +greatest general. Autophradates[30] was besieging Ariobarzanes,[31] +who was an ally of Sparta, in Assos; but before the face of Agesilaus +he fled in terror and was gone. Cotys,[32] besieging Sestos, which +still adhered to Ariobarzanes, broke up the siege and departed +crestfallen. Well might the ambassador have set up a trophy in +commemoration of the two bloodless victories. Once more, Mausolus[33] +was besieging both the above-named places with a squadron of one +hundred sail. He too, like, and yet unlike, the former two, yielded +not to terror but to persuasion, and withdrew his fleet. These, then, +were surely admirable achievements, since those who looked upon him as +a benefactor and those who fled from before him both alike made him +the richer by their gifts. + +[30] Satrap of Lydia. + +[31] Satrap of Propontis or Hellespontine Phrygia. + +[32] Satrap of Paphlagonia, king of Thrace. Iphicrates married his + daughter. See Grote, "H. G." x. 410. + +[33] Satrap of Caria. + +Tachos,[34] indeed, and Mausolus gave him a magnificent escort; and, +for the sake of his former friendship with Agesilaus, the latter +contributed also money for the state of Lacedaemon; and so they sped +him home. + +[34] King of Egypt. + +And now the weight of, may be, fourscore years was laid upon him,[35] +when it came under his observation that the king of Egypt,[36] with +his hosts of foot and horse and stores of wealth, had set his heart on +a war with Persia. Joyfully he learned that he himself was summoned by +King Tachos, and that the command-in-chief of all the forces was +promised to him. By this one venture he would achieve three objects, +which were to requite the Egyptian for the benefits conferred on +Lacedaemon; to liberate the Hellenes in Asia once again; and to +inflict on the Persian a just recompense, not only for the old +offences, but for this which was of to-day; seeing that, while +boasting alliance with Sparta, he had dictatorially enjoined the +emancipation of Messene.[37] But when the man who had summoned him +refused to confer the proffered generalship, Agesilaus, like one on +whom a flagrant deception has been practised, began to consider the +part he had to play. Meanwhile a separate division[38] of the Egyptian +armies held aloof from their king. Then, the disaffection spreading, +all the rest of his troops deserted him; whereat the monarch took +flight and retired in exile to Sidon in Phoenicia, leaving the +Egyptians, split in faction, to choose to themselves a pair of +kings.[39] Thereupon Agesilaus took his decision. If he helped +neither, it meant that neither would pay the service-money due to his +Hellenes, that neither would provide a market, and that, whichever of +the two conquered in the end, Sparta would be equally detested. But if +he threw in his lot with one of them, that one would in all likelihood +in return for the kindness prove a friend. Accordingly he chose +between the two that one who seemed to be the truer partisan of +Hellas, and with him marched against the enemy of Hellas and conquered +him in a battle, crushing him. His rival he helped to establish on the +throne, and having made him a friend to Lacedaemon, and having +acquired vast sums besides, he turned and set sail homewards, even in +mid-winter, hastening so that Sparta might not lie inactive, but +against the coming summer be alert to confront the foe. + +[35] Or, "But to pass on, he was already, may be, eighty years of age, + when it came under his observation. . . ." + +[36] This same Tachos. + +[37] See "Hell." VII. i. 36; iv. 9. + +[38] I.e. "the army under Nectanebos." See Diod. xv. 92; Plut. "Ages." + xxxvii. (Clough, iv. 44 foll.) + +[39] I.e. "Nectanebos and a certain Mendesian." + + + + +III + +Such, then, is the chronicle of this man's achievements, or of such of +them as were wrought in the presence of a thousand witnesses. Being of +this sort they have no need of further testimony; the mere recital of +them is sufficient, and they at once win credence. But now I will +endeavour to reveal the excellence indwelling in his soul, the motive +power of his acts, in virtue of which he clung to all things +honourable and thrust aside all baseness. + +Agesilaus showed such reverence for things divine that even his +enemies regarded his oaths and solemn treaties as more to be relied on +than the tie of friendship amongst themselves. These same men, who +would shrink from too close intercourse with one another, delivered +themselves into the hands of Agesilaus without fear. And lest the +assertion should excite discredit, I may name some illustrious +examples. Such was Spithridates the Persian, who knew that +Pharnabazus,[1] whilst negotiating to marry the daughter of the great +king, was minded to seize his own daughter unwedded. Resenting such +brutality, Spithridates delivered up himself, his wife, his children, +and his whole power, into the hands of Agesilaus. Cotys[2] also, the +ruler of Paphlagonia, had refused to obey a summons from the king, +although he sent him the warrant of his right hand;[3] then fear came +upon him lest he should be seized, and either be heavily fined or die +the death; yet he too, simply trusting to an armistice, came to the +camp of Agesilaus and made alliance, and of his own accord chose to +take the field with Agesilaus, bringing a thousand horsemen and two +thousand targeteers. Lastly, Pharnabazus[4] himself came and held +colloquy with Agesilaus, and openly agreed that if he were not himself +appointed general-in-chief of the royal forces he would revolt from +the king. "Whereas, if I do become general," he added, "I mean to make +war upon you, Agesilaus, might and main," thus revealing his +confidence that, say what he might, nothing would befall him contrary +to the terms of truce. Of so intrinsic a value to all, and not least +to a general in the field, is the proud possession of an honest and +God-fearing character, known and recognised. Thus far, as touching the +quality of piety. + +[1] See "Hell." III. iv. 10; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 9). + +[2] See "Hell." IV. i. 3; Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. 13). + +[3] Diod. xvi. 34. + +[4] See "Hell." IV. i. 37. + + + + +IV + +To speak next of his justice[1] in affairs of money. As to this, what +testimony can be more conclusive than the following? During the whole +of his career no charge of fraudulent dealing was ever lodged against +Agesilaus; against which set the many-voiced acknowledgmment of +countless benefits received from him. A man who found pleasure in +giving away his own for the benefit of others was not the man to rob +another of his goods at the price of infamy. Had he suffered from this +thirst for riches it would have been easier to cling to what belonged +to him than to take that to which he had no just title. This man, who +was so careful to repay debts of gratitude, where[2] the law knows no +remedy against defaulters, was not likely to commit acts of robbery +which the law regards as criminal. And as a matter of act Agesilaus +judged it not only wrong to forgo repayment of a deed of kindness, +but, where the means were ample, wrong also not to repay such debts +with ample interest. + +[1] See Muller and Donaldson, "Hist. Gk. Lit." ii. 196, note 2. + +[2] Or, "a state of indebtedness beyond the reach of a tribunal." See + "Cyrop." I. ii. 7. + +The charge of embezzlement, could it be alleged, would no less outrage +all reason in the case of one who made over to his country the benefit +in full of grateful offerings owed solely to himself. Indeed the very +fact that, when he wished to help the city or his friends with money, +he might have done so by the aid of others, goes a long way to prove +his indifference to the lure of riches; since, had he been in the +habit of selling his favour, or of playing the part of benefactor for +pay, there had been no room for a sense of indebtedness.[3] It is only +the recipient of gratuitous kindness who is ever ready to minister to +his benefactor, both in return for the kindness itself and for the +confidence implied in his selection as the fitting guardian of a good +deed on deposit.[4] + +[3] Or, "no one would have felt to owe him anything." + +[4] See "Cyrop." VI. i. 35; Rutherford, "New Phrynichus," p. 312. + +Again, who more likely to put a gulf impassable between himself and +the sordid love of gain[5] than he, who nobly preferred to be stinted +of his dues[6] rather than snatch at the lion's share unjustly? It is +a case in point that, being pronounced by the state to be the rightful +heir to his brother's[7] wealth, he made over one half to his maternal +relatives because he saw that they were in need; and to the truth of +this assertion all Lacedaemon is witness. What, too, was his answer to +Tithraustes when the satrap offered him countless gifts if he would +but quit the country? "Tithraustes, with us it is deemed nobler for a +ruler to enrich his army than himself; it is expected of him to wrest +spoils from the enemy rather than take gifts." + +[5] Or, "base covetousness." + +[6] Or reading, {sun auto to gennaio} (with Breitenbach), "in + obedience to pure generosity." See "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 38. + +[7] I.e. Agis. See Plut. "Ages." iv. + + + + +V + +Or again, reviewing the divers pleasures which master human beings, I +defy any one to name a single one to which Agesilaus was enslaved: +Agesilaus, who regarded drunkenness as a thing to hold aloof from like +madness, and immoderate eating like the snare of indolence. Even the +double portion[1] allotted to him at the banquet was not spent on his +own appetite; rather would be make distribution of the whole, +retaining neither portion for himself. In his view of the matter this +doubling of the king's share was not for the sake of surfeiting, but +that the king might have the wherewithal to honour whom he wished. And +so, too, sleep[2] he treated not as a master, but as a slave, +subservient to higher concerns. The very couch he lay upon must be +sorrier than that of any of his company or he would have blushed for +shame, since in his opinion it was the duty of a leader to excel all +ordinary mortals in hardihood, not in effeminacy. Yet there were +things in which he was not ashamed to take the lion's share, as, for +example, the sun's heat in summer, or winter's cold. Did occasion ever +demaned of his army moil and toil, he laboured beyond all others as a +thing of course, believing that such ensamples are a consolation to +the rank and file. Or, to put the patter compendiously, Agesilaus +exulted in hard work: indolence he utterly repudiated. + +[1] See "Pol. Lac." xv. 4. See J. J. Hartman, "An. Xen." 257. + +[2] See Hom. "Il." ii. 24, {ou khro pannukhion eudein boulephoron + andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a + counsellor."--W. Leaf. + +And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any +rate for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to +be put on record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which +excites no desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son +of Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate +soul may feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom +among the Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss, +Megabates endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much +show of battle, resisted--"No kiss might he accept."[3] I ask whether +such an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of +the man, and that of no vulgar order.[4] Megabates, who looked upon +himself as in some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not +to offend in like sort again.[5] Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one +who was his comrade to persuade Megabates again to honour him with his +regard; and the comrade, so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade +him, will you bestow on him a kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence, +but presently exclaimed: "No, by the Twins, not if I might this very +instant become the swiftest-footed, strongest, and handsomest of +men.[6] And as to that battle I swear by all the gods I would far +rather fight it over again than that everything on which I set my eyes +might turn to gold."[7] + +[3] See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.) + +[4] Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect," + "a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive." + +[5] Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses." + +[6] See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been + a little man of a contemptible presence." + +[7] See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid. + "Met." xi. 102 foll. + +What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but +for myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their +enemeis than the foes we speak of.[8] Doubtless such incidents when +known to but few may well be discredited by many, but here we are in +the region of establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a +man is the less can his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no +eye-witness has ever reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he +invented it, would his tale have found credence, since it was not the +habit of the king, when abroad, to lodge apart in private houses. He +always lay up in some sacred place, where behaviour of the sort was +out of the question, or else in public, with the eyes of all men +liable to be called as witnesses to his sobriety. For myself, if I +make these statements falsely against the knowledge of Hellas, this +were not in any sense to praise my hero, but to dispraise myself. + +[8] Or, "than the seductions in question." + + + + +VI + +Nor, in my opinion, were those obscure proofs of courage and true +manliness which he furnished by his readiness ever to wage war against +the strongest enemies, whether of Sparta or of Hellas, placing himself +in the forefront of the contests decided on. If the enemy cared to +join issue in fair field he would not chance upon a victory won by +panic, but in stubborn battle, blow for blow, he mastered him; and set +up trophies worthy of the name, seeing that he left behind him +imperishable monuments of prowess, and bore away on his own body +indelible marks of the fury with which he fought;[1] so that, apart +from hearsay, by the evidence of men's eyes his valour stood approved. + +[1] Or, "visible signs of the spirit," etc. See Plut. "Ages." xxxvi. + +And amongst these we must not deem them trophies alone which he +actually set up, but reckon the many campaigns which he undertook, +since they were victories truly, even when the enemy refused to +encounter him, victories devoid of danger, yet fraught with even more +solid advantage to the state of Sparta and her fellow-combatants; just +as in our games we crown as victor him who walks over the field[2] no +less than him who conquers by dint of battle. + +[2] Or, "without striking a blow." Lit. "without the dust of the + arena, 'sine pulvere.'" See Thuc. iv. 73, {akoniti}. + +And to speak next of his wisdom,[3] I suppose there is not one of all +his doings but must illustrate it;--this man whose bearing towards his +fatherland was such that by dint of implicit obedience [he grew to so +greate a height of power],[4] whose zeal in the service of his +comrades won for him the unhesitating attachment of his friends, who +infused into the hearts of his soldiers a spirit, not of discipline +only, but of self-devotion to their chief. And yet surely that is the +strongest of all battle-lines[5] in which obedience creates tactical +efficieny, and alacrity in the field springs out of loyal affection +for the general. + +[3] Or, "his sagacity." + +[4] The words {pleiston iskhue} are supplied from Plutarch ("Ages." + iv.), who quotes the passage, "What Xenophon tells us of him, that + by complying with, and, as it were, ruled by his country, he grew + into such great power with them, that he could do what he pleased, + is meant," etc. (Clough, iv. p. 4). The lacuna in the MS. was + first noted, I believe, by Weiske. See Breitenbach's note ad loc. + +[5] See "Cyrop." VII. i. 30; "Econ." xxi. 7. + +Enemies he had to cope with, who had little excuse to disparage, +however much they might be compelled to hate their opponent, seeing +that he was for ever contriving to give his allies some advantage over +them--by sheer deception, if occasion offered; now anticipating them +if speed were requisite; now skulking in corners if concealment +served; in all points observing one rule of behaviour to his friends +and another towards his foes. By turning night into day and day into +night[6] he drew so close a veil of mystery over his movements that +frequently there was no saying where he was, or whither he would go, +or what he might do next. The fastnesses of the enemy he transformed +into so many weaknesses,[7] passing this one by, and scaling that, and +stealing like a thief into a third. + +[6] See "Hell." VI. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." v. 7; "Cyrop." I. v. 12. + +[7] Or, "the strongholds of the enemy might to all intents and + purposes have been open places." + +When he was on the march, and was well aware that an enemy might, if +he chose, deliver battle, his habit was to lead his troops in compact +battle order ready to confront emergencies, with soft, slow step, +advancing, as it were, with maidenly demureness,[8] for in such +procedure, as he believed, lay the secret of true calm, engendering a +dauntless self-assurance, imperturbable, unerring, impervious to +treacherous assault. Therefore by such behaviour he was a terror to +the enemy, whilst he infused courage and strength in the hearts of his +friends, so that throughout his life he continued to be a man whom his +foes dared not despise, whom his fellow-citizens cared not to arraign, +within the circle of his friends held blameless, the idol and +admiration of the outer world.[9] + +[8] See above, ii. 3; "Pol. Lac." iii. 5. + +[9] Cf. Tacitus's phrase concerning Titus, "deliciae humani generis." + + + + + +VII + +To describe his patriotism[1] point by point in detail were a tedious +story, since, as I suppose, there is not one of his several +achievements but must finally resolve itself into that. For, to put it +briefly, we all know well that where Agesilaus expected in any way to +benefit his country there was no toil he shrank from, no danger he +avoided, no money he stinted, no excuse whether of age or body he +admitted, but deemed it ever the true function of a good king[2] to +shower blessings to the utmost on the subjects of his rule. + +[1] Lit. "love for his own city." + +[2] Or, "regarded it as the cardinal virtue of a real prince." See + "Mem." III. ii. 3. + +And for my part I hold it as chief among the magnificent benefits so +conferred by him upon his country that, being the most powerful member +of the state, he made no secret of his absolute submission to the +laws,[3] since what lesser man, seeing the king's obedience, would +take[4] on himself to disobey? Who, in discontentment at his own poor +lot, would venture on revolution, knowing that the king himself could +condescend to constitutional control? And that, too, a king who bore +himself towards political opponents with a paternal mildness.[5] If he +rebuked them sharply for their misdemeanours, he none the less +honoured their high endeavours, and proved himself a present help to +them in time of trouble.[6] No citizen could be his personal foe; of +that he was assured. His desire was to commend them one and all alike, +counting the common salvation of all a gain, and reckoning it as a +loss if even a mean man perished. For thus he reasoned, nor made a +secret of the conclusion he had come to: so long as her citizens +continued tranquilly adherent to the laws the happiness of Sparta was +secure.[7] And for the rest Sparta would once again be strong on that +day when the states of Hellas should learn wisdom. + +[3] Or, "he was at the same time the most obvious in his allegiance to + the laws." + +[4] Lit. "would have taken on himself . . . would have ventured on + revolution." + +[5] Lit. "as a father to his children." + +[6] Or, "and was ready to stand by their side in time of trouble." + +[7] Or, "For this was the clear tenor of his thought, that by tranquil + continuance within the laws the citizens of Sparta might secure + her happiness. And as to power, Sparta, etc." See "Mem." II. vi. + 27. + +And if, by admission, it is noble for every Hellene to be a lover of +his fellow-Hellenes, yet we must fare far afield to find another +instance of a general who, expecting to sack some city, would have +refused to seize the prize; or who regarded victory in a war waged +against fellow-Hellenes as a species of calamity. Yet this man when a +message was brought him concerning the battle at Corinth,[8] in which +but eight Lacedaemonians had fallen, but of their opponents ten +thousand nearly, showed no sign of exultation, but sighed, saying, +"Alas for Hellas! since those who now lie in their graves, were able, +had they lived, to conquer the hosts of Asia."[9] Again, when some +Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was ripe for surrender, +and showed him the engines by which they were confident they would +take the walls, he refused to make the assault, saying that Hellene +cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought back to a +better mind,[10] and added, "For if we lop off our offending members, +haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the barbarians." + +[8] B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G." + ix. 429. + +[9] Lit. "all the barbarians." + +[10] See "Econ." i. 23. + +Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out +on a campaign to enslave Hellas; the Persian, who to-day makes +alliance with these (no matter to him which the party, provided it +will help him to work the greater mischief[11]); or gives presents to +those (who will take them and do the greatest harm to his foes the +Hellenes); or else concocts a peace that shall presently involve us in +internecine war, as he anticipates:--but why dwell on facts so patent? +--I ask, did ever Hellene before Agesilaus so enter heart and soul +upon his duty; whether it were to help some tribe to throw off the +Persian yoke, or to save from destruction a revolted district, or if +nothing else, at any rate to saddle the Persian with such troubles of +his own that he should cease to trouble Hellas? An ardent hater of +Persia surely was he, who, when his own country was at war with +Hellenes, did not neglect the common good of Hellas, but set sail to +wreak what harm he might upon the barbarians.[12] + +[11] Or, "the worse the mischief he can work, the better the side." + +[12] See Isocr. "Ep." ix. "To Archidamus," S. 11-14. + + + + +VIII + +To turn to another side, that grace of manner which was his, claims +more than passing recognition. Here was a man to whom honour was +vouchsafed and power present, and who, to crown all else, held in his +hands the sceptre of sovereignty--a kingship not plotted against, but +respected and beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen +in him, but of tender affection and courteous service to his friends +proof in abundance without seeking. Witness the zest with which he +shared in the round of lovers' talk;[1] the zeal with which he threw +himself into the serious concerns[2] of friends. By dint of a hopeful +and cheery disposition and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to +his side a throng of visitors, who came, not simply for the +transaction of some private interest, but rather to pass away the day +in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to use high-swelling +words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises, +which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at least of high +endeavour[3] in the future. + +[1] See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut. + "Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx. + +[2] Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of + his friends." + +[3] Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood." + +But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season +must not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king +(I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company +with Calleas[4] of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and +friendship with the Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it, +telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer: "He need not +be at pains to send him letters in private, but if he could prove +himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well-wisher of Hellas he should +have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship," but added, "if +your king be detected plotting, let him not think to find a friend in +me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." For my part, then, I +hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with pleasing his fellow- +Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, too, among his +tenets I find admirable: the truer title to self-congratulation +belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many legions, but to +him rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the allegience +of better followers. + +[4] See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H. + G." x. 402. + +And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him. +Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted +from the king the surer the gain to Hellas, he did not suffer himself +to be seduced, either by gifts or by the mightiness in his power, to +be drawn into bonds of friendship with the king, but took precaution +rather not to abuse their confidence who were willing to revolt. + +And lastly, as beyond all controversy admirable, note this contrast: +First, the Persian, who, believing that in the multitude of his riches +he had power to lay all things under his feet, would fain have swept +into his coffers all the gold and all the silver of mankind: for him, +and him alone, the costliest and most precious things of earth. And +then this other, who contrariwise so furnished his establishment as to +be totally independent of every adventitious aid.[5] And if any one +doubts the statement, let him look and see with what manner of +dwelling-place he was contented; let him view the palace doors: these +are the selfsame doors, he might well imagine, which Aristodemus,[6] +the great-great-grandson of Heracles, took and set up in the days of +the return. Let him endeavour to view the furniture inside; there he +will perceive how the king feasted on high holy days; and he will hear +how the king's own daughter was wont to drive to Amyclae in a public +basket-carriage.[7] Thus it was that by the adjustment of expenditure +to income he was never driven to the commission of any unjust deed for +money's sake. And yet if it be a fine thing to hold a fortress +impregnable to attck, I count it a greater glory that a man should +hold the fortress of his soul inviolable against the assaults of +riches, pleasures, fears. + +[5] Or, "of all such external needs." + +[6] See Herod. vi. 52. + +[7] See Plut. "Ages." xix. (Clough, iv. p. 23); the words {e thugater + autou} were supplied from this passage by Casaubon. + + + + +IX + +I will here state to what extent the style of living which he +presented stands out in striking contrast to the ostentatious manner +of the Persian.[1] In the first place, if the latter made a solemn +affectation of being but seldom seen, Agesilaus delighted to live in +the eye of day, believing that seclusion might accord well enough as a +screen for shameless conduct, but to a life of nobleness and beauty[2] +heaven's light added new ornament.[3] And next, if the one prided +himself on being unapproachable, the other rejoiced in being +accessible to all the world; the one, with his airs and graces, was +pleased to transact business slowly, the other was never so happy as +when he could satisfy the demands of a petitioner without waste of +time.[4] + +[1] Or, "how he presented his own manner in antithesis to the false + pretences of the Persian." For {alazoneia} see "Mem." I. vii. 1; + Aristot. "N. E." iv. 7; Theophr. "Char." vi. + +[2] Lit. "a life striving towards beauteousness." + +[3] Or, "added but greater lustre." + +[4] Lit. "could satisfy and dismiss his petitioners without delay." + +Again, it is worthy of observation how much easier and simpler to +satisfy was the standard of comfort which the Spartan aimed at.[5] For +the Persian, men must compass sea and land to discover some beverage +which he will care to drink; he needs ten thousand pastrycooks to +supply the kick-shaws he will deign to eat; and to procure him the +blessing of sleep no tongue can describe what a world of trouble must +be taken. But Agesilaus was a lover of toil, and therefore not so +dainty; the meanest beverage was sweet to his lips, and pleasant +enough to his taste was the chance fare of the moment; and for the +purpose of refreshing slumber every place alike conducive. It was not +merely that to fare thus gave him pure pleasure, but in the sense of +contrast lay a double satisfaction. Here was he roaming earth freely +in the midst of a world of delight,[6] and there lay the Persian, +under his eyes, who to escape a life of pain must drag together from +the uttermost parts of earth the separate ingredients for his +pleasure. It was another source of joy that to himself it was given to +confront the appointed order of the universe[7] without pain; while +through weakness of soul his rival, it was plain to see, was driven to +flee away from heat and cold, and to shape his life, not by the +pattern of brave men, but of some mean and defenceless animal.[8] + +[5] See Herod. i. 135, for the luxury of the Persians and for the + refinements of civilisation. See "Mem." II. i. 10; "Cyrop." VIII. + i. 40. + +[6] Or, "in a round of festivity." + +[7] See Plut. "Ages." xiv. (Clough, iv. p. 17); "Apophth. Lac." p. + 102; Eur. "Supp." 214, 215. + +{de ou truphomen, theou kataskeuen bio +dontos toiauten, oisin ouk arkei tade}; + +[8] Or, "the most defenceless of God's creatures." Lit. "the weakest + of animals." + +And what a fine trait this was in him, and betokening how lofty a +sentiment, that, being content to adorn his own house with works and +possessions suited to a man, and being devoted to the breeding of dogs +and horses in large numbers for the chase and warfare, he persuaded +his sister Cynisca to rear chariot horses,[9] and thus by her +victory[10] showed that to keep a stud of that sort, however much it +might be a mark of wealth, was hardly a proof of manly virtue. And +surely in the following opinion we may discern plainly the generosity +of him who entertained it. To win victories over private persons in a +chariot race does not add one tittle to a man's renown. He, rather, +who holds his city dear beyond all things else, who has himself sunk +deep into the heart of her affections, who has obtained to himself all +over the world a host of friends and those the noblest, who can outdo +his country and comrades alike in the race of kindliness, and his +antagonists in vengeance--such a man may, in a true sense, be said to +bear away the palm of victory in conquests noble and magnificent; +living and in death to him belongs transcendent fame. + +[9] I.e. "for the games." + +[10] I.e. "at Olympia." Cynisca, according to Pausanias (iii. 8), was + the first woman who won a prize at Olympia. See also Plut. "Ages." + xx. (Clough, iv. p. 23). + + + + +X + +It is as possessiong qualities such as these that I praise Agesilaus. +And in these matters he was not like a man who chances upon a treasure +and thereby becomes wealthier, albeit none the more skilful in +economy; nor yet like him who, when a plague has fallen upon an enemy, +wrests a victory, whereby he may add to his reputation for success, +but not for strategy. Rather was his example that of one who in each +emergency will take the lead; at a crisis where toil is needful, by +endurance; or in the battle-lists of bravery by prowess; or when the +function of the counsellor is uppermost, by the soundness of his +judgment. Of such a man I say, he has obtained by warrant indefeasible +the title peerless. + +And if, as a means towards good workmanship, we count among the noble +inventions of mankind the rule and the plummet,[1] no less happily +shall we, who desire to attain a manly excellence, find in the virtue +of Agesilaus a pattern and example. He was God-fearing, he was just in +all his dealings, sound of soul and self-controlled. How then shall we +who imitate him become his opposite, unholy, unjust, tyrannical, +licentious? And, truth to say, this man prided himself, not so much on +being a king over others as on ruling himself,[2] not so much on +leading his citizens to attack the enemy as on guiding them to embrace +all virtue. + +[1] See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. + +[2] See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. + +Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished +life, that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral +hymn.[3] Far rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the +first place it is only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale +familiar to his ears when living. And in the next place, what is more +remote from dirge and lamentation than a life of glory crowned by +seasonable death? What more deserving of song and eulogy than +resplendent victories and deeds of highest note? Surely if one man +rather than another may be accounted truly blest, it is he who, from +his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and beyond all contemporary +names won what he desired; who, being gifted with a nature most +emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king unconquered; +who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without +offence[4] committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he +marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. + +[3] See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. + +[4] As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. + ad x. 4 of his edition. + + + + +XI + +It only remains for me, under the form of headings,[1] to review the +topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may +cling to the memory more lastingly. + +[1] Or, as others think, "in a summary." + +Agesilaus reverenced the shrines and sacred places even of the enemy. +We ought, he said, to make the gods our allies on hostile no less than +on friendly soil. + +He would do no violence to a suppliant, no, not even if he were his +own foe; since how irrational must it be to stigmatise robbers of +temples as sacrilegious and yet to regard him who tears the suppliant +from the altar as a pious person. + +One tenet he never wearied of repeating: the gods, he said, are not +less pleased with holy deeds than with pure victims. + +In the day of his prosperity his thoughts were not raised higher than +befits a man; he gave thanks to the gods; and offered more victims +when he had nothing to fear than he registered vows in time of +apprehension. + +He was accustomed in the midst of anxiety to wear an aspect of gaiety, +but, when the victory was won, of gentleness. + +Amongst friends his warmest greeting was reserved, not for the most +powerful, but for the most ardent; and if he hated, it was not him +who, being evil entreated, retaliated, but one who, having had +kindness done to him, seemed incapable of gratitude. + +He rejoiced when sordid greed was rewarded with poverty; and still +more if he might himself enrich a righteous man, since his wish was to +render uprightness more profitable than iniquity. + +He made it a practice to associate with all kinds of people, but to be +intimate only with the best. + +As he listened to the praise of this man, or the censure of another, +he felt that he learnt quite as much about the character of the +speakers themselves as of those whom they discussed. + +To be cheated by a friend was scarcely censurable, but he could find +no comdemnation strong enough for him who was outwitted by a foe. Or +again, to dupe the incredulous might argue wit, but to take in the +unsuspecting was veritably a crime. + +The praise of a critic who had courage to point out his defects +pleased him; and plainness of speech excited in him no hostility. It +was against the cunning rather of the secretive person that he guarded +himself, as against a hidden snare. + +The calumniator he detested more than the robber or the thief, in +proportion as the loss of friends is greater than the loss of +money.[2] + +[2] Mr. R. W. Taylor aptly quotes "Othello," III. iii. 157-- + +"Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; +'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; +But he that filches from me my good name +Robs me of that which not enriches him +And makes me poor indeed." + + +The errors of private persons he bore with gently, but those of rulers +he looked upon as grave; since the mischief wrought in the one case +was so small, and so large in the other. The proper attribute of +royalty was, he maintained, not an avoidance of responsibility, but a +constant striving after nobleness.[3] + +[3] On the word {kalokagathia} so translated, see Demosth. 777, 5. + +Whilst he would not suffer any image[4] of his bodily form to be set +up (though many wished to present him with a statue), he never ceased +elaborating what should prove the monument of his spirit, holding that +the former is the business of a statuary, the latter of one's self. +Wealth might procure the one, he said, but only a good man could +produce the other. + +[4] See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2); also Plut. "Ap. Lac." p. + 115; ib. p. 103; Cic. "ad Div." V. xii. 7. + +As for riches, he employed them not with justice merely, but with +liberality, holding that for a just man it is sufficient if he let +alone the things of others, but of a liberal man it is required that +he should take of his own and give to supply another's needs. + +He was ever subject to religious fear,[5] believing that no man during +his lifetime, however well he lives, can be counted happy; it is only +he who has ended his days with glory of whom it can be said that he +has attained at last to blessedness.[6] + +[5] See "Cyr." III. iii. 58, and for the word {deisidaimon}, see Jebb, + "Theophr. Char." p. 263 foll.; Mr. Ruskin, Preface to "Bibl. + Past." vol. i. p. xxv. + +[6] See Herod. i. 34; Soph. "Oed. Tyr." 1529; and Prof. Jebb's note ad + loc. + +In his judgment it was a greater misfortune to neglect things good and +virtuous, knowing them to be so, than in ignorance. Nor was he +enamoured of any reputation, the essentials of which he had not +laboriously achieved.[7] + +[7] Or, "for which he did not qualify himself by the appropriate + labour." + +He was one of the small band, as it seemed to me, who regard virtue, +not as a thing to be patiently endured,[8] but as a supreme enjoyment. +At any rate, to win the praise of mankind gave him a deeper pleasure +than the acquisition of wealth; and he preferred to display courage +far rather in conjunction with prudence than with unnecessary risks, +and to cultivate wisdom in action more than by verbal discussion. + +[8] Or, "as a system of stoical endurance," "a kind of stoicism." But + we must not let Xenophon, who is a Socratic, talk of the Stoa. If + we knew certainly that the chapter was a much later production, + the language would be appropriate enough. + +Very gentle to his friends, to his enemies he was most terrible. +Whilst he could hold out against toil and trouble with the best, +nothing pleased him better than yielding to his comrades. But passion +was kindled in him by beauty of deed rather than of person.[9] + +[9] Or, "beauteous deeds rather than bodily splendour." + +Skilled in the exercise of self-command in the midst of external +welfare, he could be stout of heart enough in stress of danger. + +Urbanity he practised, not with jest and witticisim, but by the +courtesy of his demeanour. + +In spite of a certain haughtiness, he was never overbearing, but rich +in saving common sense. At any rate, while pouring contempt upon +arrogance, he bore himself more humbly than the most ordinary man. In +fact, what he truly took a pride in was the simplicity of his own +attire, in contrast with the splendid adornment of his troops; or, +again, in the paucity of his own wants, combined with a bountiful +liberality towards his friends. + +Besides all this, as an antagonist he could hit hard enough, but no +one ever bore a lighter hand when the victory was won.[10] + +[10] Lit. "he was the heaviest of antagonists and the lightest of + conquerors." + +The same man, whom an enemy would have found it hard to deceive, was +pliability itself in the concerns of his friends. Whilst for ever +occupied in laying these on a secure foundation, he made it a +ceaseless task to baffle the projects of the national foe. + +The epithets applied to him are significant. His relatives found in +him a kinsman who was more than kind. To his intimates he appeared as +a friend in need who is a friend indeed. To the man who had done him +some service, of tenacious memory. To the victim of injustice, a +knight-errant. And to those who had incurred danger by his side, a +saviour second only to the gods. + +It was given to this man, as it appears to me, to prove exceptionally +that though strength of body may wax old the vigour of a man's soul is +exempt from eld. Of him, at any rate, it is true that he never shrank +from the pursuit of great and noble objects, so long as[11] his body +was able to support the vigour of his soul. Therefore his old age +appeared mightier than the youth of other people. It would be hard to +discover, I imagine, any one who in the prime of manhood was as +formidable to his foes as Agesilaus when he had reached the limit of +mortal life. Never, I suppose, was there a foeman whose removal came +with a greater sense of relief to the enemy than that of Agesilaus, +though a veteran when he died. Never was there a leader who inspired +stouter courage in the hearts of fellow-combatants than this man with +one foot planted in the grave. Never was a young man snatched from a +circle of loving friends with tenderer regret than this old graybeard. + +[11] Reading, {megalon kai kalon ephiemenos, eos kai to soma, k.t.l.} + See Breitenbach. + +The benefactor of his fatherland, absolutely to the very end; with +bounteous hand, even in the arms of death, dealing out largesse[12] to +the city which he loved. And so they bore him home to his eternal +resting-place;[13] this hero, who, having raised to himself many a +monument of his valour over the broad earth, came back to find in the +land of his fathers a sepulture worthy of a king.[14] + +[12] See above, ii. 31. + +[13] See for this remarkable phrase, Diod. i. 51. + +[14] See "Pol. Lac." xv. 9. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Agesilaus by Xenophon + diff --git a/old/old/agsls10.zip b/old/old/agsls10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44aa707 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/agsls10.zip |