Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/149

 EFFORTS OF SPARTA. 127 ing as well as encouraging their defence ; and the Spartans, not unmoved at the new enemies raised up by their treatment of Sphodrias, thought it necessary to make some efforts on their side. They organized on a more systematic scale the military force of their confederacy, and even took some conciliatory steps with the view of effacing the odium of their past misrule. 1 The full force t>f their confederacy, including, as a striking mark of present Spartan power, even the distant Olynthians, 2 was placed in mo- tion against Thebes in the course of the summer under Agesilaus ; who contrived, by putting in sudden requisition a body of mercen- aries acting in the service of the Arcadian town Kleitor against its neighbor the Arcadian Orchomenus, to make himself master of the passes of Kithseron, before the Thebans and Athenians could have notice of his passing the Lacedaemonian border. 3 Then crossing Kithseron into Breotia, he established his head-quarters at Thespiae, a post already under Spartan occupation. From thence he com- menced his attacks upon the Theban terrritory, which he found defended partly by a considerable length of ditch and pah'sade partly by the main force of Thebes, assisted by a division of mixed Athenians and mercenaries, sent from Athens under Chabrias. Keeping on their own side of the pah'sade, the Thebans suddenly sent out their cavalry, and attacked Agesilaus by surprise, occa- sioning some loss. Such sallies were frequently repeated, until, by a rapid march at break of day, he forced his way through an opening in the breastwork into their inner country, which he laid waste nearly to the city walls. 4 The Thebans and Athenians, though not offering him battle on equal terms, nevertheless kept the field against him, taking care to hold positions advantageous for defence. Agesilaus on his side did not feel confident enough to attack them against such odds. Yet on one occasion he had made up his mind to do so ; and was marching up to the charge, when he was daunted by the firm attitude and excellent array of the troops of Chabrias. They had received orders to await his approach, on a high and advantageous ground, without moving until signal should be given ; with their shields resting on the ' Diodor. xv, 31.
 * Xen. Hellen. v, 4, 54; Diodor. xv, 31.
 * Xen. Hellen. v, 4, 36-38. * Xen. Hellen. v, 4, 41.