194 HISTORY OF GREECE. The ascendency, exercised down to this time by Sparta ntrth of the Corinthian Gulf, in Phokis and elsewhere, passed away from her, and became divided between the victorious Thebans and Jason of Pherae. The Thebans, and the Boeotian confederates who were now in cordial sympathy with them, excited to enthu- siasm by their recent success, were eager for fresh glories, and readily submitted to the full exigencies of military training ; while under a leader like Epaminondas, their ardor was turned to such good account, that they became better soldiers every month. 1 The Phokians, unable to defend themselves single-handed, were glad to come under the protection of the Thebans, as less bitterly hos- tile to them than the Thessalian Jason, and concluded with them obligations of mutual defence and alliance. 2 The cities of Euboea, together with the Lokrians (both Epiknemidian and Opuntian,) the Malians and the town of Heraklea, followed the example. The latter town was now defenceless ; for Jason, in returning from Boeotia to Thessaly, had assaulted it and destroyed its fortifications ; since by its important site near the pass of Ther- mopylae, it might easily be held as a position to bar his entrance into Southern Greece. 3 The Boeotian town of Orchomenus, which had held with the Lacedaemonians even until the late battle, was now quite defenceless; and the Thebans, highly exasperated against its inhabitants, were disposed to destroy the city, reducing the inhabitants to slavery. Severe as this proposition was, it would not have exceeded the customary rigors of war, nor even what might have befallen Thebes herself, had Kleombrotus been victorious at Leuktra. But the strenuous remonstrance of Epaminon- das prevented it from being carried into execution. Alike dis- tinguished for mild temper and for long-sighted views, he reminded his countrymen that in their present aspiring hopes towards ascend- ency in Greece, it was essential to establish a character for mod- eration of dealing 4 not inferior to their military courage, as attested by the recent victory. Accordingly, the Orchomenians were par- 1 Xen. Hellen. vi, 5, 24. Kal yap ol fiev Boiurol TTUVTE? eyiywifovro nepi T& 57rla, u-ya^ofiEvoi TT? kv Aewcrpotf V'IKT), etc. These are remarkable words from the unwilling pen of Xehophon : com pare vii, 5, 12.
- Xen. Hellen. vi, 5, 23 ;.yii, 5, 4 ; Diodor. xv, 57.
- Xen. Hellen. vi, 4, 27 ; vi, 5, 23. * Diodor. xv, 57
