Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/238

 212 HISTORY G* GREECE dience and attachment ; just as Jason of Pheras had done before with his standing array of mercenaries. 1 During the reign of Alexander the army manifests itself as the only power by his side^ ft which even he is constrained occasionally to bow ; after his leath, its power becomes for a time still more ascendent. But sc .ar as the history of Macedonia is known to us, I perceive no evi- dence of coordinate political bodies, or standing apparatus (either aristocratical or popular) to check the power of the king such as to justify in any way the comparison drawn by a modern historian between the Macedonian and English constitutions. The first proceeding of Philip, in dealing with his numerous enemies, was to buy off the Thracians by seasonable presents and promises ; so that the competition of Pausanias for the throne became no longer dangerous. There remained as assailants the Athenians with Arga3tis from seaward, and the Illyrians from landward. But Philip showed dexterity and energy sufficient to make head against all. "While he hastened to reorganize the force of the country, to extend the application of those improved military ar- rangements which he had already been attempting in his own province, and to encourage his friends and soldiers by collective harangues, 2 in a style and spirit such as the Macedonians had nev- er before heard from regal lips he contrived to fence off the at- tack of the Athenians until a more convenient moment. He knew that the possession of Amphipolis was the great pur- pose for which they had been carrying on war against Macedo- nia for some years, and for which they now espoused the cause of Argaeus. Accordingly he professed his readiness at once to give up to them this important place, withdrawing the Macedonian garrison whereby Perdikkas had held it against them, and leaving the town to its own citizens. This act was probably construed by the Athenians as tantamount to an actual cession ; for even if Amphipolis should still hold out against them, they doubted not of their power to reduce it when unaided. Philip farther des patched letters to Athens, expressing an anxious desire to be re- ceived into her alliance, on the same friendly terms as his father 1 Xenoph. Hellen.-vr 1, 6, 16. * Diodor. xvi. 2, 3