Classical literature; Greece -- History -- Peloponnesian War, 431-404 B.C.; Greece -- History -- Spartan and Theban Supremacies, 404-362 B.C.
When the men in Piraeum perceived that the pass was occupied, they at
once abandoned all thought of self-defence and fled for refuge to the
Heraion (5)--men and women, slaves and free-born, with the greater part
of their flocks and herds. Agesilaus, with the main body, meanwhile
pursued his march by the sea-shore, and the division, simultaneously
descending from the heights, captured the fortified position of Oenoe,
appropriating its contents. Indeed, all the troops on that day reaped
a rich harvest in the supplies they brought in from various farmsteads.
Presently those who had escaped into the Heraion came out, offering to
leave it to Agesilaus to decide what he would do with them. He decided
to deliver up to the exiles all those concerned with the late butchery,
and that all else should be sold. And so from the Heraion streamed out
a long line of prisoners, whilst from other sides embassies arrived in
numbers; and amongst these a deputation from the Boeotians, anxious to
learn what they should do to obtain peace. These latter Agesilaus,
with a certain loftiness of manner, affected not even to see, although
Pharax, (6) their proxenus, stood by their side to introduce them.
Seated in a circular edifice on the margin of the lake, (7) he surveyed
the host of captives and valuables as they were brought out. Beside the
prisoners, to guard them, stepped the Lacedaemonian warriors from the
camp, carrying their spears--and themselves plucked all gaze their way,
so readily will success and the transient fortune of the moment rivet
attention. But even while Agesilaus was still thus seated, wearing a
look betokening satisfaction at some great achievement, a horseman came
galloping up; the flanks of his charger streamed with sweat. To the many
inquiries what news he brought, the rider responded never a word; but
being now close beside Agesilaus, he leaped from his horse, and running
up to him with lowering visage narrated the disaster of the Spartan
division (8) at Lechaeum. At these tidings the king sprang instantly
from his seat, clutching his spear, and bade his herald summon to a
meeting the generals, captains of fifties, and commanders of foreign
brigades. (9) When these had rapidly assembled he bade them, seeing that
the morning meal had not yet been tasted, to swallow hastily what they
could, and with all possible speed to overtake him. But for himself,
he, with the officers of the royal staff, (10) set off at once without
breakfast. His bodyguard, with their heavy arms, accompanied him with
all speed--himself in advance, the officers following behind. In this
fashion he had already passed beyond the warm springs, and was well
within the plateau of Lechaeum, when three horsemen rode up with further
news: the dead bodies had been picked up. On receipt of these tidings
he commanded the troops to order arms, and having rested them a little
space, led them back again to the Heraion. The next day he spent in
disposing of the captured property. (11)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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