the Lacedæmonian project. Indignation of the Athenians against Sparta.—Nikias prevails with the assembly to send himself and others as envoys to Sparta, in order to clear up the embarrassment.—Failure of the embassy of Nikias at Sparta—Athens concludes the alliance with Argos, Elis, and Mantineia.—Conditions of this convention and alliance.—Complicated relations among the Grecian states as to treaty and alliance.—Olympic festival of the 90th Olympiad, July 420 B.C., its memorable character.—First appearance of Athens at the Olympic festival since the beginning of the war. Immense display of Alkibiadês in the chariot-race.—The Eleians exclude the Spartan sacred legation from this Olympic festival, in consequence of alleged violation of the Olympic truce.—Alarm felt at the festival lest the Spartans should come in arms.—Depressed estimation of Sparta throughout Greece—Herakleia. 1-61 CHAPTER LVI. FROM THE FESTIVAL OF OLYMPIAD 90, DOWN TO THE BATTLE OF MANTINEIA. New policy of Athens, attempted by Alkibiadês.—Expedition of Alkibiadês into the interior of Peloponnesus.—Attack upon Epidaurus by Argos and Athens.—Movements of the Spartans and Argeians.—The sacred month Karneius—trick played by the Argeians with their calendar—Congress at Mantineia for peace—the discussions prove abortive.—Athenian lordship of the sea—the alliance between Athens and Sparta continues in name, but is indirectly violated by both.—Invasion of Argos by Agis and the Lacedæmonians, Bœotians, and Corinthians.—Approach of the invaders to Argos by different lines of march.—Superior forces and advantageous position of the invaders—danger of Argos—Agis takes upon him to grant an armistice to the Argeians, and withdraws the army—dissatisfaction of the allies.—Severe censure against Agis on his return to Sparta.—Tardy arrival of Alkibiadês, Lachês, etc., with the Athenian contingent at Argos—expedition of Athenians, Eleians, Mantineians, and Argeians, against the Arcadian town of Orchomenus.—Plans against Tegea—the Eleians return home.—Danger of Tegea—Agis and the Lacedæmonians march to its relief.—Manœuvres of Agis to bring on a battle on fair ground.—Forward march and new position of the Argeians.—The Lacedæmonians are surprised: their sudden and ready formation into battle order.—Gradation of command and responsibility peculiar to the Lacedæmonian army.—Lacedæmonian line: privileged post of the Skiritæ on the left.—Uncertain numbers of both armies.—Preliminary harangues to the soldiers.—Battle of Mantineia.—Movement ordered by Agis, on the instant before the battle; his order disobeyed. His left wing is defeated.—Complete ultimate victory of the Lacedæmonians.—Great effects of the victory in reëstablishing the reputation of Sparta.—Operations of Argeians, Eleians, etc., near Epidaurus.—Political change at Argos, arising out of the battle of