Page:Greece from the Coming of the Hellenes to AD. 14.djvu/239

Rh alliance between Athens and Thebes against Sparta, in consequence of which Athens once more gained a leading position on the sea and was able again to form a confederacy (B.C. 378). The professed object of this new league (the terms of which are preserved on an existing stele) was to compel “the Lacedaemonians to allow the allies to be autonomous and to enjoy their own territory in safety.” It was to be open to all states and islands not subject to the Persian king—a provision which avoided opening the question of the Asiatic cities, whose status had been fixed by the peace of Antalcidas. Each state was to maintain whatever constitution it pleased, without admitting an Athenian garrison, or resident, or paying a phoros or tax. The Athenians undertook in case of all states joining the confederacy to surrender all cleruchies held by Athenian citizens or by the state, and to settle no more clcruchs in them. There was to be a board of commissioners to decide all cases of dispute under this clause. The Athenians further covenanted to give aid by land or sea to any of the allies who were attacked. The confederate states were to pay a contribution to a common fund, as appears from other inscriptions, though it is not mentioned in this stele. It was to be called a syntaxis instead of the now invidious phoros. The alliance seems first to have consisted of Chios, Tenedos, Mitylene and Mythymna in Lesbos, Byzantium and Rhodes, but it was quickly joined by others until it reached the number of about seventy. The adhesion of Thebes marked its antagonism to Sparta, and that of Acarnania, Cephallenia, and Zakynthus three years later secured Athenian