Page:History of Greece Vol IV.djvu/187

 ATTACK UPON ATTICA. 161> design, --aM probably the Boeotians were incensed with the re- cent interfp'^nce of Athens in the affair of Plataea. As soon as these preparations were completed, the two kings of Sparta, Kleomenes and Demaratus, put themselves at the head of the united Peloponnesian force, marched into Attica, and advanced as far as Eleusis on the way to Athens. But when the allies came to know the purpose for which they were to be employed, a spirit of dissatisfaction manifested itself among them. They had no unfriendly sentiment towards Athens ; and the Corinthi- ans especially, favorably disposed rather than otherwise towards that city, resolved to proceed 110 farther, withdrew their contin- gent from the camp, and returned home. At the same time, king Demaratus, either sharing in the general dissatisfaction, or moved by some grudge against his colleague which had not be- fore manifested itself, renounced the undertaking also. And these two examples, operating upon the preexisting sentiment of the allies generally, caused the whole camp to break up and re- furn home without striking a blow. 1 "We may here remark that this is the first instance known in which Sparta appears in act as recognized head of an obligatory Peloponnesian alliance, 3 summoning contingents from the cities to be placed under the command of her king. Her headship, previously recognized in theory, passes now into act, but in an unsatisfactory manner, so as to prove the necessity of precaution and concert beforehand, which will be found not long wanting. Pursuant to the scheme concerted, the Boeotians and Chalki- dians attacked Attica at the same time that Kleomenes entered it. The former seized OEnoe and Hysise, the frontier demes of Attica on the side towards Platasa, while the latter assailed the northeastern frontier, which faces Eubcua. Invaded on three sides, the Athenians were in serious danger, and were compelled to concentrate all their forces at Eleusis against Kleomenea, leaving the Boeotians and Chalkidians unopposed. But the un- expected breaking up of the invading army fr^m Peloponnesus 1 Herodot. v, 75. 8 Compare Kortiim, Zur Geschichte Hellenischcr Staats-Verfassungec, ..15 (Heidelberg, 1821). 7. doubt, however, his interpretation of the words in Herodotus (v. 63) 'r*. idly aroAu, CITE dq/toaiu %pqa6ntvoc. VOL. IV. 8