ecting troops from every side, in addition to
those which he already had, so as to form a complete armament. These
preparations were pressed forward with a view to penetrating as far as
possible into the interior. He was persuaded that every tribe or nation
placed in his rear might be considered as alienated from the king.

(17) "Anab." VII. viii. 7.

(18) Vide Strab. xiii. 606, 613. Seventy stades from Thebe.

II

Such were the concerns and projects of Agesilaus. Meanwhile the
Lacedaemonians at home were quite alive to the fact that moneys had been
sent into Hellas, and that the bigger states were leagued together
to declare war against them. It was hard to avoid the conclusion that
Sparta herself was in actual danger, and that a campaign was inevitable.
While busy, therefore, with preparations themselves, they lost no time
in despatching Epicydidas to fetch Agesilaus. That officer, on his
arrival, explained the position of affairs, and concluded by delivering
a peremptory summons of the state recalling him to the assistance of
the fatherland without delay. The announcement could not but come as a
grievous blow to Agesilaus, as he reflected on the vanished hopes, and
the honours plucked from his grasp. Still, he summoned the allies and
announced to them the contents of the despatch from home. "To aid our
fatherland," he added, "is an imperative duty. If, however, matters turn
out well on the other side, rely upon it, friends and allies, I will
not forget you, but I shall be back anon to carry out your wishes." When
they heard the announcement many wept, and they passed a resolution, one
and all, to assist Agesilaus in assisting Lacedaemon; if matters turned
out well there, they undertook to take him as their leader and come back
again to Asia; and so they fell to making preparations to follow him.

Agesilaus, on his side, determined to leave behind him in Asia Euxenus
as governor, and with him a garrison numbering no less than four
thousand troops, which would enable him to protect the states in Asia.
But for himself, as on the one hand he could see that the majority of
the soldiers would far rather stay behind than undertake service against
fellow-Hellenes, and on the other hand he wished to take as fine and
large an army with him as he could, he offered prizes first to that
state or city which should continue the best corps of troops, and
secondly to that captain of mercenaries who should join the expeditio