Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/317

 SPARTA ANlJ MEGALOPOLIS. 21)1 Triknranum, from the Arcadians and Argeians. 1 This political combination was warmly espoused by a considerable party at Athens ; being recommended not less by aversion to Thebes than by the anxious desire for repossessing the border town of Oropus But it was combated by others, and by Demosthenes among the number, who could not be tempted by any bait to acquiesce in the reconstitution of Lacedaemonian power as it had stood before the battle of Leuktra. In the Athenian assembly, the discussion was animated and even angry; the envoys from Megalopolis, as well as those from Sparta on the other side, finding strenuous par- tisans. 2 Demosthenes strikes a course professedly middle between the two, yet really in favor of defending Megalopolis against Spartan reconquest. We remark in this oration (as in the oration De Symmoriis, a year before) that there is no allusion to Philip ; a point to be noticed as evidence of the gradual changes in the Demosthenic point of view. All the arguments urged turn upon Hellenic and Athenian interests, without reference to the likeli- hood of hostilities from without. In fact, Demosthenes lays down as a position not to be disputed by any one, that for the interest of Athens, both Sparta and Thebes ought to be weak ; neither of them in condition to disturb her security ; 3 a position, unfortu- nately, but too well recognized among all the leading Grecian states in their reciprocal dealings with each other, rendering the Pan-hellenic aggregate comparatively defenceless against Philip or any skilful aggressor from without. While, however, affirming a general maxim, in itself questionable and perilous, Demosthe- nes deduces from it nothing but judicious consequences. In re- gard to Sparta, he insists only on keeping her in statu quo, and maintaining inviolate against her the independence of Megalopo- lis and Messene. He will not be prevailed upon to surrender to her these two cities, even by the seductive prospect of assistance to Athens in recovering Oropus, and in reviving the autonomy of 1 Demosthenes pro Mcgalopol. p. 206. s. 18 ; compare Xenoph. Hellen.vii 2, 1-5. 3 Demosthen. pro Mcgalop. p. 203. s. 5, 6. Compare a similar sentiment, Demosthenes emit. Aristokrat. p 654 s 120
 * Demosthenes pro Magalopolit. p. 202. s. 1.