xtended even to the slaves of the
Spartans, some of whom, being taken prisoners of war by the Thebans, and
ordered to sing the odes of _Terpander_ for their captors, peremptorily
refused to comply, because it was forbidden them by their old masters.

In all Greece, however, Sparta stands a solitary instance of this
austerity; for the drama, poetry, and music were enthusiastically
cultivated in Athens, and even in every country into which the Grecians
penetrated. Players became in many instances the confidential friends,
counsellors, and ministers of kings themselves; and Alexander the Great
sent Thessalus, an actor, as an ambassador to Pexodorus, the Persian
governor of Caria, to forbid a marriage intended by the governor between
his daughter and Aridoeus, an illegitimate son of the late king
Philip. The proofs which that mighty conqueror has left on record of his
partiality to celebrated professors of the histrionic art, are no less
extraordinary than numerous, and in some instances, do no great credit
to his judgment. Every general in his camp had along with him his poets,
musicians, and declaimers. One time Alexander's favourite, Hephestion,
accommodated his musician named Evius, with the quarters which belonged
of right to EUMENES, the most worthy and renowned of all the Grecian
generals. Eumenes boldly remonstrated, and told Alexander that he
plainly saw the best way to acquire promotion in his army would be to
throw away arms, and learn to play upon the flute or turn actor.

At a contest of skill between Thessalus, Alexander's favourite actor,
and another of the name of Athenodorus, the king, though in his heart
deeply interested for the success of Thessalus, would not say a word in
his favour, lest it should bias the judges, who actually proclaimed
Athenodorus victor: the hero then exclaimed that the judges deserved
commendation for what they had done, but that he would have given half
his kingdom rather than see Thessalus overcome. This was certainly a
striking instance of magnanimity. How unprejudiced and generous that
great man's mind was may be collected from a subsequent act of his in a
case that concerned that very Athenodorus. That performer being heavily
fined by the Athenians for not appearing on the stage at the feast of
Bacchus implored Alexander to intercede for him; the just and munificent
monarch, however, refused to write in his favour, but, in order to
relieve the man, paid the fine for him.

In