Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/158

 136 HISTORY OF GREECE. numerous, and the change, on the whole, popular though in some the prevailing sentiment was such, that adherence was only ob- tained by intimidation. The change here made by Thebes, was not to absorb these cities into herself, but to bring them back to the old federative system of Boeotia; a policy which she had publicly proclaimed on surprising Plataea in 431 B. c. 1 While resuming her own ancient rights and privileges as head of the Boeotian federation, she at the same time guaranteed to the other cities, by convention, probably express, but certainly implied, their ancient rights, their security, and their qualified autonomy, as members ; the system which had existed down to the peace of Antalkidas. The position of the Thebans was materially improved by this reconquest or reconfederation of Bceotia. Becoming masters of Kreusis, the port of Thespiae, 2 they fortified it, and built some triremes to repel any invasion from Peloponnesus by sea across the Krissaean Gulf. Feeling thus secure against invasion, they began to retaliate upon their neighbors and enemies the Phokians ', allies of Sparta, and auxiliaries in the recent attacks on Thebes, yet also, from ancient times, on friendly terms with Athens. 3 So hard pressed were the Phokians, especially as Jason of Pherao in Thessaly was at the same time their bitter enemy ,4 that unless assisted, they would have been compelled to submit to the Thebans, and along with them Orchomenus, including the Lace- daemonian garrison then occupying it ; while the treasures of the Delphian Temple would also have been laid open, in case the Thebans should think fit to seize them. Intimation being sent by 1 Thucyd. ii, 2. 'kvelnev 6 uripv!- (the Theban herald after the Theban troops had penetrated by night into the middle of Plata?) el Tif fiovXerai Karii T& irarpta TUV iravruv B o L u r u v ^v^ifiaxelv, T't&ecr&ai Trap 1 TJ)V Compare the language of the Thebans about TU irurpta TUV 'Boiuruv (iii, 61, 65, 66). The description which the Thebans give of their own profes- sions and views, when they attacked Platse in 431 B.C., may be taken as fail analogy to judge of their professions and views towards the recovered Boeo tian towns in 376-375 B. c. 2 Xen. Hellen. vi, 4, 3 ; Compare Diodor. xr, 53. 3 Diodor. xv, 31 ; Xen. Heller, vi, 3, 1 ; iii, 5, 21. Xen. Hellen. vi, 4, 21-27.