The history of the world

§. VI. Of the negotiations, and practices, held betweene many States of Greece, by occasion of the peace that was concluded.

THe admiration wherein all Greece held the valour of Sparta as 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and able to make way through all impediments, had beene so excessiue, that when by some sinister accidents, that Citie was compelled to take and seeke peace, vpon termes not sounding very [unspec 10] honourable, this common opinion was not only abated, but (as hap∣pens vsually in things extreme) was changed into much contempt. For it was ne∣uer thought that any Lacedaemonian would haue endured to lay downe his weapons and yeeld himselfe prisoner, nor that any misfortune could haue beene so great, as should haue drawne that Citie to relieue it selfe otherwise than by force of Armes. But when once it had appeared that many of their Citizens, among whom were some of especiall marke, being ouer-laied by enemies, in the Iland before Pylus, had rather chosen to liue in captiuitie, than to die in fight; and that Pylus it selfe, sticking as a thorne in the foot of Laconia, had bred such anguish in that Estate, as vtterly wearying the accustomed Spartan resolution, had made it sit downe, and [unspec 20] seeke to refresh it selfe by dishonourable ease: then did not only the Corinthians and Thebans beginne to conceiue basely of those men which were vertuous, though vn∣fortunate; but other lesser Cities joyning with these in the same opinion, did cast their eies vpon the rich and great Citie of Arges, of whose abilitie, to doe much, they conceiued a strong beliefe, because of long time it had done nothing. Such is the base condition, which through foolish enuie is become almost naturall in the greater part of mankinde. We curiously search into their vices, in whom, had they kept some distance, we should haue discerned only the vertues; and comparing in∣juriously our best parts with their worst, are justly plagued with a false opinion of that good in strangers which we know to be wanting to our selues. [unspec 30]

The first that published their dislike of Sparta were the Corinthians, at whose ve∣hement entreaty (though moued rather by enuie at the greatnesse of Athens day∣ly encreasing) the Lacedaemonians had entred into the present warre. But these Co∣rinthians did only murmure at the peace, alleadging as grieuances, that some townes of theirs were left in the Athenians hands. The Mantinaeans, who during the time of warre, had procured some part of the Arcadians to become their followers, and for∣sake their dependency vpon the State of Sparta, did more freely & readily discouer themselues; feare of reuenge to come working more effectually, than indignation at things already past. The Argiues feeling the gale of prosperous Fortune that began to fill their sailes, prepared themselues to take as much of it as they could stand vn∣der; [unspec 40] giuing for that purpose vnto twelue of their citizens, a full and absolute commission to make alliance betweene them and any freecities of Greece (Athens and Sparta excepted) without any further trouble of propounding euery particular bu∣sinesse to the multitude. When the gates of Argos were set thus open to all com∣mers; the Mantinaeans began to lead the way, and many Cities of Peloponnesus fol∣lowing them entred into this new confederacy; some incited by priuate respects, o∣thers thinking it the wisest way to doe as the most did. What inconuenience might arise to them by these courses, the Lacedaemonians easily discerned, and therfore sent Embassadors to stoppe the matter at Corinth, where they well perceiued that the mischiefe had beene hatched. These Embassadors found in the Corinthians a very [unspec 50] rough disposition, with a grauity expressing the opinion which they had conceiued of their present aduantage ouer Sparta. They had caused all Cities which had not entred yet into the alliance with Argos, to send their Agents to them, in whose pre∣sence they gaue audience to the Lacedaemonians; the purport of whose Embassie was

this: That the Corinthians, without breach of their oath, could not forsake the alli∣ance, which they had long since made with Sparta, and that reason did as well binde them to hold themselues contented with the peace lately made, as religion enfor∣ced them to continue in their auncient confederacy, forasmuch as it had bin agreed betweene the Spartans and their associates, that the consent of the greater part, (which had yeelded vnto peace with Athens) should binde the lesser number to performe what was concluded, if no Diuine impediment withstood them. Heere∣unto the Corinthians made answere, that the Spartans had first begun to do them o∣pen wrong, in concluding the warre wherein they had lost many places, without prouision of restitution; & that the very clause, alledged by the Embassadors, did ac∣quite [unspec 10] them from any necessity of subscribing to the late peace, forasmuch as they had sworne vnto those people whom they perswaded to rebell against Athens, that they would neuer abandon them, nor willingly suffer them to fall againe into the tyrannous hands of the Athenians. Wherefore they held themselues bound both in reason and religion to vse all meanes of vpholding those, whom by common con∣sent they had taken into protection; for that an oth was no lesse to be accounted a Diuine impediment, than were pestilence, tempest, or any the like accident, hinde∣ring the performance of things vndertaken. As for the alliance with Argos, they said that they would doe as they should finde cause. Hauing dismissed the Embassadors with this answere, they made all hast to ioyne themselues with Argos, and caused o∣ther [unspec 20] States to doe the like; so that Sparta and Athens were in a manner left to them∣selues, the Thebans and Megarians being also vpon the point to haue entred into this new confederacie. But as the affections were diuers, which caused this hastie confluence of sudden friends to Argos, it so likewise came to passe that the friend∣ship it selfe, such as it was, had much diuersitie both of sinceritie & of continuance. For some there were that hated or feared the Lacedaemonians: as the Mantinaeans and Eleans: these did firmly betake them selues to the Argiues, in whom they knew the same affection to be inueterate; others did only hate the peace concluded; & these would rather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 followed the Spartans than the Argiues in warre, yet rather the Argiues in war than the Lacedaemonians in peace. Of this number were the Corinthi∣ans, [unspec 30] who knowing that the Thebans were affected like vnto themselues, dealt with them to enter into the societie of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as they had done: but the different formes of gouernment, vsed in Thebes and Argos, caused the Thebanes to hold rather with Sparta, that was ruled by the principall men, than to incurre the danger of in∣nouation, by joyning with such as committed the whole rule to the multitude.

This businesse hauing ill succeeded, the Corinthians beganne to bethinke them∣selues of their owne danger, who had not so much as any truce with Athens, and yet were vnprepared for warre. They sought therefore to come to some temporarie agreement with the Athenians, and hardly obtained it. For the Athenians, who had dealt with all Greece at one time, did not greatly care to come to any appointment, [unspec 40] with one citie that shewed against them more stomach than force; but gaue them to vnderstand that they might be safe enough from them, if they would claime the benefit of that alliance, which Athens had lately made with Sparta and her depen∣dants; yet finally they granted vnto these Corinthians (which were loth to ac∣knowledge themselues dependants of Sparta) the truce that they desired; but into priuate confederacie they would not admit them, it being an article of the league betweene them and the Spartans, That the one should not make peace nor warre without the other.

Heerein, as in many other passages, may clearely be scene the great aduantage which absolute Lords haue as well in peace as in warre, ouer such as are serued by [unspec 50] voluntaries. We shall hardly finde any one Signorie, that hath beene so constantly followed as Sparta was by so many States, and some of them little inferior to it self, being all as free: whereas contrariwise, the Athenians had lately, and by compulsiue meanes gotten their Dominion, wherein they demeaned themselues as Tyrants.

But in performance of conditions agreed vpon, the Athcnians were able to make their wordes good, by excluding any State out of their Confederacie, and giuing vp such places as were agreed vpon: of which the Lacedaemonians could doe neither the one nor the other. For such Townes as their old Allies had gotten by their meanes in the late warre, could not bee restored without their consent, which had them in present possession; and particularly the Towne of Panacte, which the Thebans held, could by no meanes be obtained from them by the Lacedaemonians (who earnestly desired it; that by restitution thereof vnto the Athenians, as earnestly demanding it, themselues might recouer Pylus) vnlesse they would agree to make a priuate alli∣ance with Thebes; which thereupon they were faine to doe, though knowing it to [unspec 10] be contrarie to the last agreement betweene them and Athens.

The Lacedaemonians hauing broken one article of the league made between them and the Athenians, that by so doing they might enable themselues to the perfor∣mance of another, were shamefully disappointed of their hopes by the Thebans, who did not giue vp the Towne of Panacte, till first they had vtterly demolished it, and made it of no worth to the Athenians. This was sought to haue beene excused by the Lacedaemonian Embassadours, who comming to Athens (whither 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 sent home all prisoners that had beene detained at Thebes) hoped with gentle words to salue the matter; saying, That from henceforth no enemie to Athens should nestle in Panacte, for it was destroied. But these Embassadours had not to deale with [unspec 20] tame fooles. For the Athenians told them in plaine termes, That of three principall conditions agreed vpon in their late League, they had not performed any one, but vsed such base collusion as stood not with their honour: hauing made priuate 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the Thebans; hauing destroied a Towne that they should haue restored; 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 their dependants by warre, to make good the couenants of 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 peace. Hereupon they dismissed the Embassadors with rough 〈◊〉〈◊〉, meaning with as rough deedes to anger those that sent them.

There were at that time, both in Athens and Sparta, many that were ill-conten∣ted with the peace: among whom were the Ephori, chosen for that yeere, in Sparta; and Alcibiades a powerfull yong Gentleman in Athens. But the Ephori, though de∣siring [unspec 30] to renew the warre, yet wished that first they might get from the Athenians as much as was to bee rendred to them by couenant, especially Pylus that had so sorely troubled them. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whose Nobilitie, riches, and fauour, with the peo∣ple, made him desire warre, as the meanes, whereby himselfe might procure some honourable emploiment, vsed all meanes to set the quarrell on foot, whilest the A∣thenians had yet both aduantage enough, as not hauing rendred ought saue their prisoners, and pretence enough to vse that aduantage of breaking the peace, by rea∣son that the Lacedaemonians (though indeede against their wills) had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all co∣uenants with them. Now the State of Athens had fully determined to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pylus, and to performe nothing that the Lacedaemonians should, and might require, vntill [unspec 40] they had first, without any longer halting, fulfilled all articles wher unto they were bound, euen to the vtmost point. This was enough to make them sweat, who ha∣uing already done the most that they could, had as yet got nothing in recompence, except the deliuerie of their Citizens, which were prisoners. But Alcibiades 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a speedie beginning of open warre, sent priuily to the Argiues, and gaue them to vn∣derstand how fitly the time serued for them to associate themselues with Athens, which was enough to giue them securitie against all Enemies.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the first confluence of many Estates vnto their societie, had embraced great hopes of working wonders, as if they should haue had the conduct of all Greece against the Athenians, robbing Sparta of that honour, as hauing ill vsed [unspec 50] it, and thereby leauing their old enemies in case of much contempt and disabilitie. But these suddaine apprehensions of vaine joy, were suddainely changed into as vaine feare; which ill agreed with the great opinion that had lately beene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Argos. For when the Thebans had refused their alliance; when the Corin∣thians

had sought securitie from Athens; and when a false rumour was noised a∣broad, Athens, Thebes, and Sparta, were come to a full agreement vpon all points of difference; then beganne the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to let fall their crests, and sue for peace vnto the Lacedaemonians, who needing it as much as they, or more, yet held their grauity, and were not ouer hastie to accept it. At this time, and in this perturbation, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Alcibiades came very welcome to the Argiues, which were not now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how to become the chiefe of all others, but how to saue themselues. Where∣fore they sent away presently to Athens, their owne Embassadours, accompanied with the Mantinaeans and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to make a league offensiue, and defensiue, between their Estates and the Athenians. [unspec 10]

Of this businesse the Lacedaemonians knew not what to thinke: for well they saw, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a combination tended to their great hurt, and therefore were desirous to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it; but to keepe the loue of the Athenians, the new Ephori thought that more was alreadie done, than stood with their honour, or profit; others held it the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way, hauing done so much, not to stick vpon a little more, but rather by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 full satisfaction, to retaine the friendship of that State, which was more to bee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then all the rest of Greece. This resolution preuailing, they sent away such of their Citizens as were best affected to the peace, who comming to Athens with full commission to make an end of all controuersies, did earnestly labour in the Coun∣cell-house, to make the truth of things appeare, saying; that their Confederacie [unspec 20] with the Thebans had tended to none other end than the recouerie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: con∣cerning which Towne, or any other businesse, that it much grieued the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to see things fall out in such wise as might giue to the Athenians cause of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; but that all should be done which in reason might bee required for ma∣king matters euen betweene them; to which purpose they shewed that themselues had absolute commission. Wherefore they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Pylus might be restored vn∣to them, and especially for the present, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Argiues might be called a-side. Fauourable audience was giuen to this proposition, the rather be∣cause, they which promised amends, had power to make their words good. But all this faire likelihood of good agreement was dasht on the suddaine, by the practice [unspec 30] of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who, secretly dealing with the Lacedaemonian Embassadours, perswa∣ded them well of his friendship towards their Citie, and aduised them to take all care that their absolute power to conclude what they pleased in the name of Sparta, might not be knowne to the Communaltie of Athens, lest the insolent multitude should thereupon grow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and yeelde to nothing, vnlesse they could draw them to vnreasonable conditions. The Embassadours beleeued him, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their tale in the assembly of the people, as hee had aduised them. Here∣upon the same Alcibiades taking presently the aduantage, which their double dea∣ling affoorded, inueighed openly against them, as men of no sinceritie, that were come to Athens for none other purpose, than to hinder the people from strength∣ning [unspec 40] themselues with friends, meaning to draw the Argiues and their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to their owne alliance, as (〈◊〉〈◊〉 to their oath) already they had the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The people of Athens, whom a pleasing errand would hardly haue satisfied, or brought into a good opinion of the Lacedaemonians, (whose honest meanings had so ill beene seconded with good performance) were now so incensed with the double dealing of the Embassadours, and the strong perswasions of Alcibiades, that little wanted of concluding the league with 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Yet for the present so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did Ni∣cias, an honourable Citizen, and great friend to the peace, preuaile with them, that the businesse was put off, till he himselfe with other Embassadours might fetch a better answere from Sparta. [unspec 50]

It may seeme a great wonder, how so poore a tricke of Alcibiades was able to carrie a matter of such importance, when the Spartan Embassadours might haue cast the loade vpon his owne shoulders, by discouering the truth:

But the grauitie which was vsually found in the Lacedaemonians, hindred them (per∣haps) from playing their game handsomely against so nimble a wit; and they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wel haue been thought vntrusty men, had they professed themselues such as would say and vn-say for their most aduantage.

Nicias and his Companions had a sowre message to deliuer at Sparta, being per∣emptorily to require performance of all conditions, and among the rest, that the Lacedaemonians should take the paines to rebuild Panacte, and should immediately renounce their alliance made with the Thebans; letting them vnderstand that o∣therwise the Athenians, without further delay, would enter into confederacie with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and their Adherents. The Ephori at Sparta had no minde to forsake the [unspec 10] Thebans, assured friends to their State; but wrought so hard, that the anger of the Athenians was suffered to breake out what way it could, which to mitigate, they would doe no more, than only (at the request of Nicias their honourable friend, who would not seeme to haue effected nothing) sweare a-new to keepe the articles of the league betweene them and Athens. Immediately therefore vpon returne of the Embassadours, a new league was made between the Athenians, Argiues, Manti∣naeans, & Eleans, with verie ample prouision for holding the same common friends and enemies; wherein, though the Lacedaemonians were passed ouer with silence, yet was it manifest that the whole intent of this confederacy did bend it selfe chief∣ly against them, as in short while after was proued by effect. [unspec 20]

At this time the Lacedaemonians were in ill case, who hauing restored all that they could vnto the Athenians, and procured others to doe the like, had themselues re∣couered nothing of their owne (prisoners excepted) for default of restoring all that they should. But that which did most of all disable them, was the losse of reputa∣tion, which they had not more impaired in the late warre by misfortunes, than in sundrie passages betweene them and the Athenians: to procure and keepe whose A∣mitie, they had left sundrie of their old friends to shift for themselues. Contrari∣wise the Athenians, by the treatie of peace, had recouered the most of that which they lost in warre; all their gettings they had retained; and were strengthned by the accesse of new Confederates. [unspec 30]