320 HISTORY OF GREECE. rioeki, acquired in consequence of the ruinous loss of citizens k. that defeat, had been again put down. In the neighborhood of Argofi, and dependent upon it, were situated Mykena^, Tiryns, and IMidea, — small in power and importance, but rich in mythi- cal renown. Disdainingthe inglorious example of Argos, at the period of danger, these towns had furnished contingents both to Thermopylee and Platasa, which their powerful neighbor had been unable either to prevent at the time, or to avenge afterwards, from fear of the intervention of Lacedagmon. But so soon as the latter was seen to be endangered and occupied at home, with a formidable Messenian revolt, the Argeians availed themselves of the opportunity to attack not only Mykenae and Tiryns, but also Orneas, jVIidea, and other semi-dependent towns around them. Several of these were reduced ; and the inhabitants robbed of their autonomy, were incorporated with the domain of Argos: but the Mykenians, partly from the superior gallantry of their resistance, partly from jealousy of their mythical renown, were either sold as slaves or driven into banishment.' Through these victories Argos was now more powerful than ever, and the prop- ositions of alliance made to her by Athens, while strengthening both the two against Lacediemon, opened to her a new chance of recovering her lost headship in Peloponnesus. The Thessalians became members of this n^W alliance, which was a defensive al- liance against Lacedajmon : and hopes were doubtless entertained of drawing in some of the habitual allies of the latter. The new character which Athens had thus assumed, as a com- petitor for landed alliances, not less than for maritime ascendency, came opportunely for the protection of the neighboring town of Megara. It appears that Corinth, perhaps instigated, like Argos, by the helplessness of the Lacedfemonians, had been making border encroachments on the one side upon Kleonse, on the other side upon Megara :2 on which ground the latter, probably despair- ing of protection from Lacedcemon, renounced the Lacedaemoai-
- Diodor. xi, 65; Strabo, yiii, p. 372 ; Pausan. ii, 16, 17, 25. Diodorci
places this incident in 468 b.c, : but as it undoubtedly comes after the earth- quake at Sparta, we must suppose it to have happened about 463 B.C. See Mr. Fynes Clinton, Fasti Hellenici, Appendix, 8.
- Plutarch, Kimon, c. 17.
