Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/346

 338 STATES WANTING TO REVOLT [viii necessary. Above all, they kept strict watch over their allies, apprehending revolt. 5 During the same winter, while both parties were as (I) The Euboeaus; ^"^^nt upon their preparations as if the that (2) the Lesbians, War Were Only just beginning, first tvho are supported by among the Athenian subjects the Eu- thetr Boeotian kinsmen, ... negotiate zvith Agis, ^oeans Sent envoys to negotiate with who has more power Agis. Agis accepted their proposals, than the home govern- ^nd summoned from Lacedaemon Alcamenes the son of Sthenelaidas, and Melanthus, that they might take the command in Euboea. They came, accompanied by three hundred of the Neodamodes. But while he was making ready to convey them across the strait, there arrived envoys from Lesbos, which was likewise anxious to revolt ; and as the Boeotians ^ were in their interest, Agis was persuaded to defer the expedition to Euboea while he prepared to assist the Lesbians. He appointed Alcamenes, who had been designed for Euboea, their governor ; and he further promised them ten ships, the Boeotians promising ten more. All this was done without the authority of the Lacedaemonian government ; for Agis, while he was with his army at Decelea, had the right to send troops whither- soever he pleased, to raise levies, and to exact money. And at that particular time he might be said to have far more influence over the allies than the Lacedaemonians at home, for he had an army at his disposal, and might appear in formidable strength anywhere at any time. While he was supporting the Lesbians, certain Chians and Erythraeans (who were also ready (3) The Chians and 1 1 1 . . E,ythraeans assisted by ^O revolt) had rCCOUrse, nOt tO AglS, Tissaphemes ask aid but to Lacedaemoii ; they were accom- //t)w^ Spatia. The panied by an envoy from Tissaphernes, Kdip^s tribute in ones-, rr- ta • 1 ^ » /,„,, whom Kmg Darius the son of Arta- xerxes had appointed to be military ■ Cp. iii 2 fin., 5 mcd., 13 init. ; viii. 100 med.