Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/517

 ALLIANCE OF ATHENS AXD THEBES. 491 terms even favorable to Thebes, as being more exposed than Athens in the war against Philip. 1 The answer brought back by Demosthenes was cheering. The important alliance, combining Athena and Thebes in defensive war against Philip, had been successfully brought about. The Athenian army, already mustered in Attica, was invited into Boeotia, and marched to Thebes without delay. While a portion of them joined the Theban force at the northern frontier of Boeo- tia to resist the approach of Philip, the rest were left in quarters ai Thebes. And Demosthenes extols not only the kindness with and orderly behavior amidst the families and properties of the Thebans ; not a single complaint being preferred against them. 2 The antipathy and jealousy between the two cities seemed effaced in cordial cooperation against the common enemy. Of the cost of the joint operations, on land and sea, two-thirds were under- taken by Athens. The command was shared equally between the allies ; and the centre of operations was constituted at Thebes.3 In this as well as in other ways, the dangerous vicinity of Phil ip, giving increased ascendency to Demosthenes, impressed upon the counsels of Athens a vigor long unknown. The orator pre- vailed upon his countrymen to suspend the expenditure going OD upon the improvement of then* docks and the construction of a new arsenal, in order that more money might be devoted to mili- tary operations. He also carried a farther point which he had 1 We may here trust the more fully the boasts made by Demosthenes of his own statesmanship and oratory, since we possess the comments of JEs - chines, and therefore know the worst that can be said by an unfriendly critic, JEscbines (adv. Ktesiph. p. 73, 74) says that the Thebans were induced to join Athens, not by the oratory of Demosthenes, but by the fear of Philip's near approach, and by their displeasure in consequence of having Xikaca taken from them. Demosthenes says in fact the same. Doubtless the ablest orator must be furnished with some suitable points to work up in his plead- ings. But the orators on the other side would find in the history of the past a far more copious collection of matters, capable of being appealed to a* causes of antipathy against Athens, and of favor to Philip : and against ihis superior case Demosthenes had to contend. 3 J-schines a lv. Ktesiph p. 74%
 * vhich they were received in private houses, but also their correct
 * Demosthen. De Corona, p. 299, 300.