Antalkidas to Persia, to sue for a fresh intervention—the Persian satraps send down an order that the Grecian belligerents shall make up their differences.—Athens disposed towards peace.—Athens had ceased to be afraid of Sparta, and had become again jealous of Thebes.—Equivocal position of the restored Platæa, now that the Lacedæmonians had been expelled from Bœotia.—The Thebans forestall a negotiation by seizing Platæa, and expelling the inhabitants, who again take refuge at Athens.—Strong feeling excited in Athens against the Thebans, on account of their dealings with Platæa and Thespiæ. The Plataic discourse of Isokrates.—Increased tendency of the Athenians towards peace with Sparta—Athens and the Athenian confederacy give notice to Thebes. General congress for peace at Sparta.—Speeches of the Athenian envoys Kallias, Autokles, Kallistratus.—Kallistratus and his policy.—He proposes that Sparta and Athens shall divide between them the headship of Greece—Sparta on land, Athens at sea—recognizing general autonomy.—Peace is concluded. Autonomy of each city to be recognized: Sparta to withdraw her harmosts and garrisons.—Oaths exchanged. Sparta takes the oath for herself and her allies. Athens takes it for herself: her allies take it after her, successively.—The oath proposed to the Thebans. Epaminondas, the Theban envoy, insists upon taking the oath in the name of the Bœotian federation. Agesilaus and the Spartans require that he shall take it for Thebes alone.—Daring and emphatic speeches delivered by Epaminondas in the congress—protesting against the overweening pretensions of Sparta. He claims recognition of the ancient institutions of Bœotia, with Thebes as president of the federation.—Indignation of the Spartans, and especially of Agesilaus—brief questions exchanged—Thebes is excluded from the treaty.—General peace sworn, including Athens, Sparta, and the rest—Thebes alone is excluded.—Terms of peace—compulsory and indefeasible confederacies are renounced—voluntary alliances alone maintained.—Real point in debate between Agesilaus and Epaminondas. 72-174 CHAPTER LXXVIII. BATTLE OF LEUKTRA AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.