Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/241

 THEBANS- NEAR SPARTA. 219 Sikyon, Phlius, Corinth, Epidaurus, Troezen, Hermione, and Ha lieis. 1 But the ordinary line of march into Laconia was now impracticable to them ; the whole frontier being barred by Ar- geians and Arcadians. Accordingly they were obliged to proceed first to the Argolic peninsula, and from thence to cross by sea (embarking probably at Halieis on the south-western coast of the peninsula) to Prasiae on the eastern coast of Laconia ; from whence they made their way over the Laconian mountains to Sparta. Being poorly provided with vessels, they were forced to cross in separate detachments, and to draw lots for priority. 2 By this chance the Phliasian contingent did not come over until the last; while the xenagus, eager to reach Sparta, left them behind, and conducted the rest thither, arriving only just before the con- federate enemies debouched from Sellasia. The Phliasians, on crossing to Prasite, found neither their comrades nor the xenagus, but were obliged to hire a guide to Sparta. Fortunately they ar- rived there both safely and in time, eluding the vigilance of the enemy, who were then near Amyklje. These reinforcements were no less seasonable to Sparta, than creditable to the fidelity of the allies. For the bad feeling which habitually reigned in Laconia, between the Spartan citizens on one side, and the Perioeki and Helots on the other, produced in this hour of danger its natural fruits of desertion, alarm, and weakness. Not only were the Perio3ki and Helots in standing discontent, but even among the Spartan citizens themselves, a privileged fraction called Peers had come to monopolize political honors ; while the remainder, poorer men, yet ambitious and active, and known under the ordinary name of the Inferiors, were subject to a de- grading exclusion, and rendered bitterly hostile. The account given in a previous chapter of the conspiracy of Kinadon, will have disclosed the fearful insecurity of the Spartan citizen, sur- rounded by so many disaffected companions ; Perioeki and Helots 1 Xen. Hellen. vi, 5, 29 ; vii, 2, 2. 2 Xen. Hellen. vii, 2, 2. Kal Siaftaivtiv TEAevraioi haxovres (the Phliasians) elf Hpaatuf ruv av/j.f$oi]&7jaavTuv ov -yap TTUTTOTS cHJtearaaav, uAA' ov6 ewel 6 Sevaybi; Toi)f irpodtafi epuraf 2,af3uv UTTU- Tiinuv avroijf cj^ero, oi><5' wf uTrecrpa^crav, dA2,' rjyefiova fii<T&uaafj.Evoi, ex Upaaiuv, OVTUV ruv TTO/.I/JIMV nepl 'AjUVK/lof, onwf edvvav'o diatvvTEf fj 2-KapTTlV alplKOVTO.