CHAP. XL - FROM THE FOUNDING OF MESSENA TO THE BATTLE OF MANTINEA

Summary

The storm had passed over Sparta, and, chiefly perhaps through the prudence and energy displayed at this critical juncture by Agesilaus, had left her standing erect; but it had shaken her power to the centre, had stript her of the fairest half of her territories, and converted it into a strong-hold for a foe from whom she had to expect implacable and active hostility, and who possessed the means of offering her continual annoyance. The prospect of the internal disorders likely to be produced by the blow which deprived so many of her citizens of the whole or the greater part of their property, was sufficient to excite alarm for the safety of her institutions; and she still saw herself exposed to the recurrence of the same danger which had lately threatened her very existence. The whole line of her frontier was encompassed by enemies, who might again invite and support an invader; and within the peninsula her allies were few and feeble. Beyond the Isthmus there was no power to which she could look for efficacious assistance, but her ancient rival; and one of the first measures of the government, when Laconia was relieved from the enemy's presence, was to send an embassy to Athens, for the purpose of cementing the alliance between the two states, and of concerting plans for mutual defence. The Athenian council, in compliance with the views of the Peloponnesian ministers — for envoys came from Phlius and other allied states — proposed a decree to the assembly, by which it was to be declaied, that the naval armaments of the confederacy were to be under the control of Athens, the land forces to be commanded by Sparta.