ack on Thebes would be difficult. Learning then that
the men of Cleitor were just now at war with the men of Orchomenus, (17)
and were maintaining a foreign brigade, he came to an understanding with
the Cleitorians that in the event of his needing it, this force would be
at his service; and as soon as the sacrifices for crossing the
frontier proved favourable, he sent to the commander of the Cleitorian
mercenaries, and handing him a month's pay, ordered him to occupy
Cithaeron with his men. This was before he himself reached Tegea.
Meanwhile he sent a message to the men of Orchomenus that so long as
the campaign lasted they must cease from war. If any city during his
campaign abroad took on itself to march against another city, his first
duty, he declared, would be to march against such offending city in
accordance with a decree of the allies.

(17) In Arcadia. See Busolt, "Die Lak." 120 foll.

Thus crossing Cithaeron he reached Thespiae, (18) and from that base
made the territory of Thebes his objective. Finding the great plain
fenced round with ditch and palisade, as also the most valuable portions
of the country, he adopted the plan of shifting his encampment from one
place to another. Regularly each day, after the morning meal, he marched
out his troops and ravaged the territory, confining himself to his own
side of the palisadings and trench. The appearance of Agesilaus at any
point whatever was a signal to the enemy, who within the circuit of his
entrenchment kept moving in parallel line to the invader, and was ever
ready to defend the threatened point. On one occasion, the Spartan
king having retired and being well on the road back to camp, the Theban
cavalry, hitherto invisible, suddenly dashed out, following one of the
regularly constructed roads out of the entrenchment. Taking advantage of
the enemy's position--his light troops breaking off to supper or busily
preparing the meal, and the cavalry, some of them on their legs just
(19) dismounted, and others in the act of mounting--on they rode,
pressing the charge home. Man after man of the light troops was cut
down; and three cavalry troopers besides--two Spartans, Cleas and
Epicydidas by name, and the third a provincial (20) named Eudicus, who
had not had time to mount their horses, and whose fate was shared by
some Theban (21) exiles. But presently Agesilaus wheeled about and
advanced with his heavy infantry to the succour; his cavalry dashed
at the enemy's