s so great that the men of
Phlius had only to pass a resolution to cut down the food expenditure by
one half, and by doing so were able to prolong the siege for twice
the calculated period. But if the contrast between self-restraint and
appetite is so great, no less startling is that between boldness and
faint-heartedness. A Phliasian named Delphion, a real hero, it would
seem, took to himself three hundred Phliasians, and not only succeeded
in preventing the peace-party from carrying out their wishes, but was
equal to the task of incarcerating and keeping safely under lock and key
those whom he mistrusted. Nor did his ability end there. He succeeded
in forcing the mob of citizens to perform garrison duty, and by
vigorous patrolling kept them constant to the work. Over and over again,
accompanied by his personal attendants, he would dash out of the walls
and drive in the enemy's outposts, first at one point and then at
another of the beleaguering circle. But the time eventually came when,
search as they might by every means, these picked defenders (13) could
find no further store of food within the walls, and they were forced to
send to Agesilaus, requesting a truce for an embassy to visit Sparta,
adding that they were resolved to leave it to the discretion of the
authorities at Lacedaemon to do with their city what they liked.
Agesilaus granted a pass to the embassy, but, at the same time, he was
so angry at their setting his personal authority aside, that he sent to
his friends at home and arranged that the fate of Phlius should be
left to his discretion. Meanwhile he proceeded to tighten the cordon of
investment, so as to render it impossible that a single soul inside
the city should escape. In spite of this, however, Delphion, with
one comrade, a branded dare-devil, who had shown great dexterity
in relieving the besieging parties of their arms, escaped by night.
Presently the deputation returned with the answer from Lacedaemon that
the state simply left it entirely to the discretion of Agesilaus
to decide the fate of Phlius as seemed to him best. Then Agesilaus
announced his verdict. A board of one hundred--fifty taken from the
restored exiles, fifty from those within the city--were in the first
place to make inquisition as to who deserved to live and who to
die, after which they were to lay down laws as the basis of a new
constitution. Pending the carrying out of these transactions, he left a
detachment of troops to