Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/287

 ARCHIDAMUS IN ARCADIA. 265 Such extension of the Theban power, in Northern Greece, dis- eencerted the maritime projects of Athens on the coast of Mace- donia, at the same time that it laid the foundation of an alliance between her and Alexander of Pherae. While she was thus opposing the Thebans in Thessaly, a second squadron and rein- forcement arrived at Corinth from Syracuse, under Kissidas, des- patched by the despot Dionysius. Among the synod of allies assembled at Corinth, debate being held as to the best manner of employing them, the Athenians strenuously urged that they should be sent to act in Thessaly. But the Spartans took an opposite view, and prevailed to have them sent round to the southern coast of Laconia, in order that they might cooperate in repelling or invading the Arcadians. 1 Reinforced by these Gauls and other mercenaries, Archidamus led out the Lacedaemonian forces against Arcadia. He took Karyae by assault, putting to death every man whom he captured in the place ; and he farther ravaged all the Arcadian territory, in the district named after the Parrhasii, until the joint Arcadian and Argeian forces arrived to oppose him ; upon which he retreated to an eminence near Midea. 2 Here Kissidas, the Syracusan commander, gave notice that he must retire, as the period to which his orders reached had expired. He accordingly marched back to Sparta ; but midway in the march, in a narrow pass, the Messenian troops arrested his advance, and so hampered him, that he was forced to send to Archidamus for aid. The latter soon appeared, while the main body of Arca- dians and Argeians followed also ; and Archidamus resolved to attack them in general battle near Midea. Imploring his soldiers, in an emphatic appeal, to rescue the great name of Sparta from the disgrace into which it had fallen, he found them full of respon- sive ardor. They rushed with such fierceness to the charge, that the Arcadians and Argeians were thoroughly daunted, and fled with scarce any resistance. The pursuit was vehement, espe- cially by the Gallic mercenaries, and the slaughter frightful. Ten 1 Xen. Hellen. vii, 1, 28. fied. The only place of that name known, is in the territory of Argos, quite different from what is here mentioned. O. Miiller proposes to substi- tute Malsea for Midea : a conjecture, which there are no means of verify ing. VOL. X. 12
 * Xen. Hellen. vii, 1, 28. The place here called Midea cannot be identi-