20 HISTORY OF GEEECE. powerful in Peloponnesus next to Sparta and ArgoL. What grounds they had for expecting success we are not told. The mere fact of Mantineia having joined Argos, seemed likely to deter Tegea, as the rival Arcadian power, from doing the same : and so it proved, for the Tegeans decidedly refused the proposal, not without strenuous protestations that they would stand by Sparta in everything. The Corinthians were greatly disheart- ened by this repulse, which they had by no means expected, having been so far misled by general expressions of discontent against Sparta as to believe that they could transfer nearly the whole body of confederates to Argos. But they now began to despair of all farther extension of Argeian headship, and even to regard their own position as insecure on the side of Athens ; with whom they were not at peace, while by joining Argos they had forfeited their claim upon Sparta and all her confederacy, including Boeotia and Megara. In this embarrassment they betook themselves to the Boeotians, whom they again entreated to join them in the Argeian alliance : a request already once refused, and not likely to be now granted, but intended to usher in a different request preferred at the same time. The Boeotians were entreated to accompany the Corinthians to Athens, and obtain for them from the Athenians an armistice terminable at ten days' notice, such as that which they had contracted for them- selves. In case of refusal, they were farther entreated to throw up their own agreement, and to conclude no other without the concurrence of the Corinthians. So far the Boeotians complied, as to go to Athens with the Corinthians, and back their applica- tion for an armistice, which the Athenians declined to grant, saying that the Corinthians were already included in the general peace, if they were allies of Sparta. On receiving this answer the Corinthians entreated the Boeotians, putting it as a matter of obligation, to renounce their own armistice, and make common cause as to all future compact. But this request was steadily refused. The Boeotians maintained their ten days' armistice; and the Corinthians were obliged to acquiesce in their existing condition of peace de facto, though not guaranteed by any pledge of Athens. 1
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