Page 417 themselves, whose Liberties they had sworn in the common League to preserve inviolable. On the other hand Agesilaus being naturally Turbulent and inclin'd to War, thirsted after Dominion over the Grecians.
Afterwards when Menander was Lord Chancellor of Athens, and six Military Tribunes, Quintus Sulpitius, Caius Fabius,Cornelius Servilius, Quintus Servilius, Sextus Annius, and Caius Marcius bore the Consular Dignity at Rome, the Lacedemonians seiz'd upon Cadmea, the Citadel of Thebes, for the Reasons following. They had for some time before consider'd how Boetia was full of Towns and Cities, and that the Inhabitants were Men both of stout Hearts, and strong Bodies; and especially that Thebes which continu'd to that Day in its ancient State and Grandeur, was even the Guard and Bulwark of all Beotia; therefore they were afraid lest at some fit opportunity or other, they should become Lords of Greece: For this Reason they gave private Instruction to their Commanders, to seize upon Cadmea as soon as they could spy out an opportunity. Phoebidas the Spartan General in his March against the Olynthians (remembring his Instructions) Surpriz'd Cadmea, which so enrag'd the Thebans, that they rose in Arms, but were beaten, and he Banish'd three hundred of the most eminent Citizens, and put all the rest into a great fright; and leaving there a strong Garrison, March'd away in pursuance of the business he had chiefly in hand.
All the Grecians every where complain'd of the Lacedemonians for this unworthy Act. And they indeed themselves Fin'd Phaebidas for it, but could not be brought to withdraw the Garrison. And thus the Thebans were Robb'd of their Liberty, and brought under the pow'r of the Lacedemonians. But the Olynthians resolutely persisting in the War against Amyntas King of Macedon, Phaebidas was order'd to lay down his Commission, and Eudamidas his Brother was made General, and sent away with Three thousand heavy arm'd Men to carry on the War against the Olynthians, who breaking into the Olynthians Coun¦try, joyntly with Amyntas fell upon them; but the Olynthians being good Soldiers, and overpowring the other in Number, beat them both. Upon this the Lacedemonians rais'd a great Army, and made Teleutias, King Agislaus his Brother General, who was a Man of high Esteem among the Citizens for his Valour, who as soon as he entr'd to the Borders of Olynthus, was join'd with the Forces of Eudamidas; and now being strong enough to fight the Enemy, he first Spoil'd and Wasted the Country, and Divided the Prey (which he had got together in abundance) amongst the Soldiers. Afterwards the Olynthians march'd out with their own, and the Forces of their Confederates. Upon which the Armies Engaged and at the beginning, the Battle was doubtful; but afterwards the Fight was renew'd with that extraordinary Courage and Resolution, that Teleutias bravely acquitting himself, and above Twelve hundred Lacedemontans more, were there kill'd upon the Place. The Spartans being nettl'd at this Success of the Olynthians, made greater Preparations in order to repair their Loss: So on the other hand, the Olynthians suspecting that the Lacedemonians would bring down greater Forces upon them, and that the War might continue long, furnish'd themselves with store of Corn and Provision, and Aids from their Confederates.
Demophilus was now Archon at Athens, and Publius Cornelius, Lucius Verginius, LuciusPapurius,Marcus Furius, Valerius Aulius, Manlius * Lucius, and Posthumius Quintus, Military Tribunes, were Consuls at Rome when the Lacedemonians decreed War against the Olynthians, and made their King Agesipolis General over an Army of Force sufficient for the Expedition. As soon as he entr'd the Enemies Country, he join'd with those that were Encamp'd there, and forthwith fell to Action. The Olynthians this Year fought no considerable Battle; but kept the Kings Army in play (whom they were afraid to Encounter) with continual pickeering, and light and frequent skirmishes.