Page 427 inventions. Lastly, he altered the very Soldiers Shoes that they might both be easier to march with and sooner, and more readily cast off; and therefore they are call'd at tjos very day Iphicraticks. He invented many other things belonging to Martial Affairs, which would be too tedious here to relate. But thus all that large preparation for an Expedition into Aegypt came to nothing.
During these Affairs the new frame of Government throughout all Greece fill'd the Cities with Tumult and Commotions; and because of the Anarchy in most places, Sedi¦tions abounded. They who were for an Oligarchy, had the Lacedemonians to Patronize them; Those that appear'd for a Democracy were protected by the Athenians. For both the Cities for a while kept the League made between them inviolable. But upon their siding with the Cities (as they were inclin'd to the one or the other) without any regard to the former Articles of the Peace; they presently broke out into War.
At that time the Inhabitants of Zacynthus being enrag'd against their Magistrates (encourag'd thereunto under the protection of the Lacedemonians, and provoked with the memory of their former Injuries) drave them all out of the City; who fled to Timotheus the Athenian Admiral, and were receiv'd into the Fleet, and join'd with him in the War. He patroniz'd their Cause, and transported them into the Island (where they seiz'd upon a strong Castle call'd Arcadia) and by the assistance of Timotheus, very much molested and damnify'd the Townsmen. They of Zacynthus desir'd aid from the Lacedemonians, who first (before they would begin a War) sent to the People of Athens, and by their Ambassadors accus'd Timotheus: But when they discern'd that they inclin'd to favour the Exiles, they bestirr'd themselves to Equip out a Fleet; and having Mann'd Thirty five Gallies, they sent them to the aid of the Zacynthians, under the Command of Aristocrates.
Whilst these things were in doing, some in Corcyra that favour'd the Lacedemonians, appear'd against the People, and sent to Sparta to be assisted with all speed with some Shipping, promising to deliver up Corcyra into their hands. Upon which, they (knowing very well the importance of that Island for the recovery of the Dominion at Sea) hasten'd away to get possession. And to that end commanded Alcydas to pass over to Corcyra with Two and twenty Sail; they giving out, that this Fleet was to go for Sicily, but in truth with a design (under colour of being Friends to the Corcyreans) by the help of the Exiles to seize upon the City. But the Inhabitants coming to understand the Fraud and intended Cheat of the Lacedemonians, strongly fortify'd the place, and kept diligent Watch and Ward, and sent Ambassadors to Athens for assistance. Upon which, the People decreed to send Succours forthwith, both to the Corcyreans and to them of Zacynthus; Upon which, Ctesecles was presently sent to Zacynthus to command the Exiles: but the Fleet to be sent to Corcyra was but then in fitting out. In the mean time they of Platea having enter'd into a League with the Athenians, and decreed to deliver up their City into their protection, sent for a Garison from Athens. At which the Governors of Boeotia being exceedingly offended (to prevent the Athenians) forthwith led out a great Army against the Plateans, and having entred the Confines of Platea (by this sudden and unexpected Irruption) they found many of the Citizens stragling in the Fields, who were presently snapt up by the Horsemen; the rest fled into the City, and having no Confederates to assist them, were forc'd to deliver up themselves, upon such Terms and Conditions as the Enemy was pleas'd to allow 'em: For they were to leave the City, and take away with them only their Houshold Goods, and never more set foot in Baeotia. After this the Thebans raz'd Platea, and took Thespia (that sided against them) by assault. The Plateans fled to Athens with their Wives and Children, and were there kindly receiv'd into the Franchises and Liberties of the City. And in this condition stood the Affairs of Baeotia all that time. The Lacedemonians had now sent Mnasippus with a Fleet of Sixty five Sail, and Fifteen hundred Men under his Command to Corcyra, which after he arriv'd at the Island, and had taken the Exiles on board, he sail'd into the Haven, and presently possess'd himself of Four of their Gallies, and forc'd the rest upon Land, which they of Corcyra burnt, to prevent their falling into the Enemies hands: he routed them likewise in a Land Fight, (tho' they had advantageously possessed themselves of a Hill,) insomuch as all the Corcyrians every where were in fear and amazement. The Athenians had some time before sent Timotheus the Son of Conon, to the aid of the Corcyreans, with a Navy of Sixty Sail; but before he came in to succour them, he sail'd into Thrace, and brought over many of the Cities there to the Athenian Interest, and enlarg'd his Fleet with Thirty Sail: But because he came too late to the assistance of them of Corcyra, the people of Athens were very angry at him, and took away his Commission; yet when he return'd to Athens with a great number of Ambassadors, that