into Peloponnesus—his treatment of the Achæan cities.—The Thebans reverse the policy of Epaminondas, on complaint of the Arcadians and others. They do not reëlect him Bœotarch.—Disturbed state of Sikyon. Euphron makes himself despot—his rapacious and sanguinary conduct.—Sufferings of the Phliasians—their steady adherence to Sparta.—Assistance rendered to Phlius by the Athenian Chares—surprise of the fort of Thyamia.—Euphron is expelled from Sikyon by the Arcadians and Thebans—he retires to the harbor, which he surrenders to the Spartans.—Euphron returns to Sikyon—he goes to Thebes, and is there assassinated.—The assassins are put upon their trial at Thebes—their defence.—They are acquitted by the Theban Senate.—Sentiment among the Many of Sikyon, favorable to Euphron—honors shown to his body and memory.—The Sikyonians recapture their harbor from the Spartans.—Application of Thebes for Persian countenance to her headship—mission of Pelopidas and other envoys to Susa.—Pelopidas obtains from Persia a favorable rescript.—Protest of the Athenians and Arcadians against the rescript.—Pelopidas brings back the rescript. It is read publicly before the Greek states convoked at Thebes.—The states convoked at Thebes refuse to receive the rescript. The Arcadian deputies protest against the headship of Thebes.—The Thebans send the rescript to be received at Corinth; the Corinthians refuse: failure of the Theban object.—Mission of Pelopidas to Thessaly. He is seized and detained prisoner by Alexander of Pheræ.—The Thebans despatch an army to rescue Pelopidas. The army, defeated and retreating, is only saved by Epaminondas, then a private man.—Triumph of Alexander in Thessaly and discredit of Thebes. Harsh treatment of Pelopidas.—Second Theban army sent into Thessaly, under Epaminondas, for the rescue of Pelopidas, who is at length released by Alexander under a truce.—Oropus is taken from Athens and placed in the hands of the Thebans. The Athenians recall Chares from Corinth.—Athens discontented with her Peloponnesian allies; she enters into alliance with Lykomedes and the Arcadians. Death of Lykomedes.—Epaminondas is sent as envoy into Arcadia; he speaks against Kallistratus.—Project of the Athenians to seize Corinth; they are disappointed.—They apply to Sparta.—Refusal of the Spartans to acknowledge the independence of Messênê; they reproach their allies with consenting.—Corinth, Epidaurus, Phlius, etc., conclude peace with Thebes, but without Sparta—recognizing the independence of Messênê.—Athens sends a fresh embassy to the Persian king—altered rescript from him, pronouncing Amphipolis to be an Athenian possession.—Timotheus sent with a fleet to Asia—Agesilaus—revolt of Ariobarzanes.—Conquest of Samos by Timotheus.—Partial readmission to the Chersonese obtained by Timotheus.—Athenian kleruchs or settlers sent thither as proprietors.—Difficulties