422 DEMOSTHENES
§§ 168-179.
Having thus set the different states at variance with each other by the agency of these men,^ Philip, elated with those decrees and those answers, advanced with his army and occupied Elatea, as if assured that, come what might, you and the Thebans never would agree. The consternation into which the city was instantly thrown, you all know ; but it may be as well you should hear the most important particulars. It was evening. A messenger came to acquaint the Prytanes that Elatea was taken ; whereupon some of them, instantly starting from the table at which they were sitting, cleared the booths in the Forum, and set fire to their wicker coverings ; others summoned the Generals of the State, and ordered the alarum to be sounded. The city was filled with consternation. When the next day broke, the Prytanes ^ convoked the Senate in the Senate House ; you repaired to your own assembly, and before they ^ could adopt any measure, or even enter upon their deliberations, the whole people had seated themselves upon the hill. And now, when the Senators came forth, and the Prytanes announced the intelligence, and presented the bearer of it, and he had himself related it, the herald made proclamation. If any one desired to be
1 The orator has told the story of the opening of this war. The congress of the Amphictyonie Council, which met at Delphi, had heen persuaded by Aeschines to adopt measures which led to a conflict and then to a war which Philip was invited to lead on behalf of the Am- phictyons. But, entering Greece (in the autumn of 339 B. c), Philip neglected the work to which he was summoned, and seized £latea, a Phocian town of great military importance.
2 The Prytanes Avere a sort of executive committee of the Senate, serving for a month, and continually in session.
^ I. e., the Senate, who had the right of initiative.
