Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/150

 124 HISTORY OP GREECE. out of fellowship in philosophy, but out of common hospitalities, and especially common initiation in the Eleusinian mysteries. 1 Brave and forward in battle, Kallippus enjoyed much credit with the soldiery. He was conveniently placed for tampering with them, and by a crafty stratagem, he even insured the unconscious connivance of Dion himself. Having learnt that plots were form- ed against his life, Dion talked about them to Kallippus, who offered himself to undertake the part of spy, and by simulated partnership to detect as well as to betray the conspirators. Un- der this confidence, Kallippus had full licence for carrying on his intrigues unimpeded, since Dion disregarded the many warnings which reached him. 2 Among the rumors raised out of Dion's new position, and industriously circulated by Kallippus one was, that he was about to call back Apollokrates, son of Dionys- ius, as his partner and successor to the despotism as a substi- tute for the youthful son who had recently perished. By these and other reports, Dion became more and more discredited, while Kallippus secretly organized a wider circle of adherents. His plot however did not escape the penetration of Aristomache and Arete ; who having, first addressed unavailing hints to Dion, at last took upon them to question Kallippus himself. The latter not only denied the charge, but even confirmed his denial, at their instance, by one of the most solemn and terrific oaths recognized in Grecian religion ; going into the sacred grove of Demeter and Persephone, touching the purple robe of the goddess, and taking in his hand a lighted torch. 3 Inquiry being thus eluded, there came on presently the day of the Koreia: the festival of these very Two goddesses in whose name and presence Kallippus had forsworn. This was the day which he had fixed for execution. The strong points of defence 1 Plato, Epistol. vii. p. 333 F.: compare Plutarch, Dion, c. 17, 28, 54. Athenaeus, on the contrary, states that Kallippus was a pupil of Plato, and fellow pupil with Dion in the school (Athenaeus, xi. p. 508). The statement of Plato hardly goes so far as to negative the supposition that Kallippus may have frequented his school and received instruction there, for a time greater or less. But it refutes the idea, that the friendship of Dion and Kallippus arose out of these philosophical tastes common ta both; which Atbenieus seems to have intended to conv2y. 3 Plutarch, Dion, c. 50.
 * Plutarch, Dion, c. 54; Cornelius Ncpos, Dion, c. 8.