Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/72

 50 HISTORY OF GREECE. portion of the neighboring territory, Lower Macedonia or the coast and cities round the Thermaic Gulf. 1 As this cession is represented to have been made at the moment of his distress and expatriation, we may fairly suspect that it was made for some reciprocal benefit or valuable equivalent; of which Amyntas might well stand in need, at a moment of so much exigency. It is upon this occasion that we begin to hear again of the C1ial- kidians of Olynthus, and the confederacy which they gradually ag- gregated around their city as a centre. The confedei'acy seems to have taken its start from this cession of Amyntas, or rather, to speak more properly, from his abdication ; for the cession of what he could not keep was of comparatively little moment, and we shall see that he tried to resume it as soon as he acquired strength. The effect of his flight was, to break up the government of Lower or maritime Macedonia, and to leave the cities therein situated de- fenceless against the Illyrians or other invaders from the interior. To these cities, the only chance of security, was to throw them- selves upon the Greek cities on the coast, and to organize in con- junction with the latter a confederacy for mutual support. Among all the Greeks on that coast, the most strenuous and persevering (so they had proved themselves in their former contentions against Athens when at the summit of her power) as well as the nearest, were the Chalkidians of Olynthus. These Olynthians now put themselves forward, took into their alliance and under their protection the smaller towns of maritime Macedonia immediately near them, and soon extended their confederacy so as to com prehend all the larger towns in this region, including ever. Pella, the most considerable city of the country. 2 As they began 1 Diodor. xiv, 92; xv, 19. 'ATroyvovf tie TTJV upxr/v, 'OAvv&ioi ftev TT/V edupfjoaro, etc. T irpoGrjydyovrt lariv of, $* $T roif aiiroif xpj/, jji
 * Xenoph. Hellen. v, 2, 12. "Ort fj.lv yap ruv em OppKjjf fieyiaTTj vroAif