They were to
add, that if he had any distrust of the Achaeans, they
would give him hostages.
add, that if he had any distrust of the Achaeans, they
would give him hostages.
Plutarch - Lives - v7
Aratus, though he bad
gained this important victory without the loss of one
man, could not make himself master of Argos, nor de-
liver it from slavery; for Agias and young Aristo-
machus entered it with the king of Macedon's troops,
and held it in subjection.
This action silenced in a great measure the calumny
of the enemy, and put a stop to the insolent scoffs of
those, who, to flatter the tyrants, had not scrupled to
say, that whenever the Achaean general prepared for
battle, his bowels lost their retentive faculty; that
when the trumpet sounded, his eyes grew dim, and
his head giddy; and that when he had given the word,
he used to ask his lieutenants, and other officers, what
farther need there could be of him, since the die was
cast, and whether he might not retire, and wait the
event of the day at some distance. These reports bad
prevailed so much, that the philosophers, in their in-
quiries in the schools, whether the palpitation of the
heart and change of color on the appearance of dan-
ger, were arguments of cowardice, or only of some
natural defect, some coldness in the constitution? used
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? ARATU8.
always to quote Aratus as an excellent general, who
yet was always subject to these emotions on occasions
Of a battle.
After he had destroyed Aristippus, he sought means
to depose Lysiades the Megalopolitan, who had as-
sumed the supreme power in his native city. This
man had something generous in his nature, and was
not insensible to true honor. He had not, like most
other tyrants, committed this injustice out of a love of
licentious pleasure, or from a motive of avarice; but
incited, when very young, by a passion for glory, and
unadvisedly believing the false and vain accounts of
the wondrous happiness of arbitrary power, he had
made it his business to usurp it. However, he soon
felt it a heavy burden; and being at once desirous to
gain the happiness which Aratus enjoyed, and to de-
liver himself from the fear of his intriguing spirit, he
formed the noblest resolution that can be conceived,
which was first to deliver himself from the hatred,
the fears, and the guards that encompassed him, and
then to bestow the greatest blessing on his country.
In consequence hereof he sent for Aratus, laid down
the authority he had assumed, and joined the city
to the Achaean league. The Achaeans, charmed with
his noble spirit, thought it not too great a compli
stent to elect him general. He was no sooner ap-
pointed than he discovered an ambition to raise his
name above that of Aratus, and was by that means
led to several unnecessary attempts, particularly to
declare war against the Lacedaemonians. Aratus en-
deavored to prevent it, but his opposition was thought
to proceed from envy. Lysiades was chosen general a
second time, though Aratus exerted all his interest to
get that appointment for another; for, as we have al-
ready observed, he had the command himself only
every other year. Lysiades was fortunate enough to
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? 2C4
PLUTARCH.
gain that commission a third time, enjoying it alter-
nately with Aratus. But at last, avowing himself his
enemy, and often accusing him to the Achaeans in full-
council, that people cast him off: for he appeared with
only an assumed character to contend against real and
sincere virtue. yEsop tells us, 'that the cuckoo one
day asked the little birds why they avoided her; and
they answered, it was because they feared she would
at last prove a hawk. ' In like manner it happened to-
Lysiades. It was suspected that, as he had been once
a tyrant, his laying down his power was not quite a
voluntary thing, and that he would be glad to take the
first opportunity to resume it.
Aratus acquired new glory in the war with the JEto-
lians. The Achaeans pressed him to engage them on
the confines of Megara; and Agis, king of the Lace-
daemonians, who attended with an army, joined his
instances to theirs; but he would not consent. They
reproached him with want of spirit, with cowardice;
they, tried what the weapons of ridicule could do; but
he bore all their attacks with patience, and would not
sacrifice the real good of the community to the fear of
seeming disgrace. On this principle he suffered the
jEtolians to pass Mount Gerania, and to enter Pelo-
ponnesus without the least resistance. But when he
found that in their march they had seized Pellene, he
was no longer the same man. Without the least de-
lay, without waiting till all his forces were assembled,
he advanced with those he had at hand against the
enemy, who were much weakened by their late acqui-
sition; for it had occasioned the utmost disorder and*
misrule. They had no sooner entered the city than
the private men dispersed themselves in the houses*
and began to scramble and fight for the booty, while
the generals and other officers seized the wives and
daughters of the inhabitants, and each put his helmet)
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? ARATUS* 265
on the head of his prize, as a mark to whom she be-
longed, and to prevent her coming into the hands of
another.
While they were thus employed, news was brought
that Aratus was at hand, and ready to fall on them.
The consternation was such as might be expected
amongst men in extreme disorder. Before they were
all apprised of their danger, those that were about the
gates and in the suburbs had skirmished a few mo-
ments with the Achaeans, and were put to flight: and
the precipitation with which they fled greatly distressed
those who had assembled to support them. During
this confusion one of the captives, daughter to Epige-
thes, a person of great eminence in Pellene, who was
remarkable for her beauty and majestic mien, was
seated in the temple of Diana, where the officer whose
prize she was had placed her, after having put his hel-
met, which was adorned with three plumes of feathers,
on her head. This lady, hearing the noise and tumult,
ran out suddenly to see what was the cause. As she
stood at the door of the temple, and looked down on
the combatants, with the helmet still on her head, she
appeared to the citizens a figure more than human, and
the enemy took her for a deity; which struck the latter
with such terror and astonishment, that they were no
longer able to use their arms.
The Pelleneans tell us, that the statue of the goddess
stands commonly untouched ; and that when the priest-
ess moves it out of the temple, in order to carry it in
procession, none dare look it in the face; but, on the
contrary, they turn away their eyes with great care;
for it is not only a terrible and dangerous sight to
mankind, but its look renders the trees barren, and
blasts the fruits where it passes. They add, that the
priestess carried it out on this occasion; and always
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? PLUTARCH.
turning the face directly towards the jEtolians, filled
them with horror, and deprived them of their senses.
But Aratus, in his Commentaries, makes no mention of
any such circumstance; he only says, that he put the
jEtolians to flight, and entering the town with the fu-
gitives, dislodged them by dint of sword, and killed
Seven hundred. This action was one of the most cele-
brated in history: Timanthes the painter gave a very
lively and excellent representation of it.
However, as many powerful states were combining
against the Achaeans, Aratus hastened to make peace
With the ^Etolians, which he not only effected with the
assistance of Pantaleon, one of the most powerful men
amongst them, but likewise entered into an alliance
offensive and defensive. He had a strong desire to
restore Athens to its liberty, and exposed himself to
the severest censures of the Achteans, by attempting
to surprise the Piraeus, while there was a truce sub-
sisting between them and the Macedonians. Aratus,
indeed, in his Commentaries, denies the fact, and lays
the blame on Erginus, with whom he took the citadel
of Corinth. He says it was the peculiar scheme of
Erginus to attempt that port; that, his ladder break-
ing, he miscarried, and was pursued; and that, to save
himself, be often called on Aratus, as if present; by
which artifice he deceived the enemy, and escaped.
But this defence of his wants probability to support it.
It is not likely that Erginus, a private man, a Syrian,
would have formed a design of such consequence, with-
out having Aratus at the bead of it, to supply him with
troops, and to point out the opportunity for the attack.
Nay, Aratus proved the same against himself, by mak-
ing not only two or three, but many more attempts on
the Piraeus. Like a person violently in love, his mis-
carriages did not prevail on him to desist; for, as his
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? ARATUS.
hopes were disappointed only by the failure perhaps of
a single circumstance, and he was always within a lit-
tle of succeeding, he still encouraged himself to go on.
In one repulse, as he fled over the fields of Thirasium,
he broke his leg; and the cure could not be effected
without several incisions; so that, for some time after,
when he was called to action, he was carried into the
field in a litter.
After the death of Antigonus, and Demetrius' acces-
sion to the throne, Aratus was more intent than ever
on delivering Athens from the yoke, and conceived an
utter contempt for the Macedonians. He was however
defeated in a battle near Phylacia, by Bitbys, the new
king's general; and a strong report being spread on
one side that he was taken prisoner, and on another
that he was dead, Diogenes, who commanded in the
Piraeus, wrote a letter to Corinth, insisting ' that the
Achaeans should evacuate the place, since Aratus was
no more. ' Aratus happened to be at Corinth when the
letter arrived; and the messengers finding that their
business occasioned much laughter and satirical dis-
course, retired in great confusion. The king of Mace-
don himself, too, sent a ship, with orders 'that Aratus
should be brought to him in chains. '
The Athenians, exceeding themselves in flattery to
the Macedonians, wore chaplets of flowers on the first
report of Aratus' death. Incensed at this treatment, he
immediately marched out against them; and proceeded
as far as the Academy: but they implored him to spare
them, and he returned without doing them the least
injury. This made the Athenians sensible of his vir-
tue; and, as on the death of Demetrius they were de-
termined to make an attempt for liberty, they called
him in to their assistance. Though he was not general
of the Achasana that year, and was so much indisposed
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? 268
PLUTARCH.
besides, by long sickness, as to be forced to keep hid
bed, yet he caused himself to be carried in a litter, to
render them his best services. Accordingly he pre-
vailed on Diogenes, who commanded the garrison, to
give up the Piraeus, Munychia, Salamis, and Sunium,
to the Athenians, for the consideration of a hundred
and fifty talents, twenty of which Aratus himself fur-
nished. On this the jEginetae and Hermionians joined
the Achaeans, and great part of Arcadia paid contribu-
tions to the league. The Macedonians now found em-
ployment enough for their arms nearer home; and the
Achaeans, numbering the iEtolians amongst their allies,
found a great addition to their power.
Aratus still proceeded on his old principles, and in
his uneasiness to see tyranny established in a city so
near him as that of Argos, sent his agents to Aristoma-
Chus, to represent ' how advantageous a thing it would
be for him to restore that city to liberty, and join it to
the Achaean league; how noble to follow the example
of Lysiades, and command so great a people with repu-
tation and honor, as the general of their choice, rather
than one city as a tyrant, exposed to perpetual danger
and hatred. ' Aristomachus listened to their suggestions,
and desired Aratus to send him fifty talents to pay off
his troops. The money was granted agreeably to his
request; but Lysiades, whose commission as general was
not expired, and who was ambitious to have this nego-
tiation pass with the Achaeans for his work, took an
opportunity, while the money was providing, to accuse
Aratus to Aristomachus, as a person that had an im-
placable aversion to tyrants, and to advise him rather
to put the business into his hands. Aristomachus be-
lieved these suggestions, and Lysiades had the honor
of introducing him to the league. But on this occasion
especially: the Achaean council showed their affection
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? . ARATUS.
and fidelity to Aratus: for, on his speaking against
Aristomachus, they rejected him with marks of resent-
ment. Afterwards, when Aratus was prevailed on to
manage the affair, they readily accepted the proposal,
and passed a decree, by which the Argives and Phlia-
sians were admitted into the league. The year follow*
ing, too, Aristomachus was appointed general.
Aristomachus finding himself esteemed by the Achae-
ans, was desirous of carrying his arms into Laconia,
for which purpose he sent for Aratus from Athens.
Aratus made answer, that he utterly disapproved the
expedition, not choosing that the Achaeans should en-
gage with Cleomenes, whose spirit and power kept
growing in proportion to the dangers he had to en-
counter. Aristomachus, however, was bent on the
enterprise, and Aratus yielding to his solicitations, re-
turned to assist him in the war. Cleomenes offered
him battle at Palantium; but Aratus prevented him
from accepting the challenge. Hereon, Lysiades ac-
cused Aratus to the Achaeans, and the year following
declared himself his competitor for the command; but
Aratus had the majority of votes, and was for the
twelfth time declared general.
This year he was defeated by Cleomenes at Mount
Lycaeum; and, in his flight, being forced to wander
about in the night, he was supposed to be killed. This
was the second time that a report of his death spread
over Greece. He saved himself, however; and having
collected the scattered remains of his forces, was not
satisfied with retiring unmolested: on the contrary, be
availed himself in the best manner of his opportunity;
and when none expected, or even thought of such a
manoeuvre, fell suddenly on the Mantineaus, who were
allies to Cleomenes, took their city, secured it with a
garrison, and declared all the strangers he found there
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? PLUTARCH.
free of the city. In short, he acquired that for the
Achaeans whea beaten, which they could not easily
have gained when victorious.
The Lacedaemonians again entering the territories of
Megalopolis, he marched to relieve that city. Cleo-
menes endeavored to bring him to an engagement; but
he declined it, though the Megalopolitans pressed him
much to leave the matter to the decision of the sword:
for, besides that he was never very fit for disputes in
the open field, he was now inferior in numbers; and at
a time of life when his spirits began to fail and his
ambition was subdued, he would have had to do with
a young man of the most adventurous courage. He
thought, too, that, if Cleomenes, by his boldness, sought
to acquire glory, it became him, by his caution, to keep
that which he had. - >>
One day the light infantry skirmished with the Spar-
tans, and having driven them to their camp, entered it
with them, and began to plunder. Aratus even then
would not lead on the main body, but kept his men on
the other side of a defile that lay between, and would
not suffer them to pass. Lysiades, incensed at this
order, and reproaching him with cowardice, called on
the cavalry to support the party which was in pursuit
of the enemy, and not to betray the victory, nor to de-
sert a man who was going to hazard all for his country.
Many of the best men in the army followed him to the
charge, which was so vigorous, that he put the right
wing of the Lacedaemonians to flight. But, in the
ardor of his courage, and his ambition for honor, he
went inconsiderately on the pursuit, till he fell into an
intricate way, obstructed with trees, and intersected
with large ditches. Cleomenes attacked him in this
ground, and slew him, after he had maintained the
most glorious of all combats, the combat for his peo-
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? ARATUS.
271
pie, almost at their own doors. The rest of the ca-
valry fled, and turning back on the main body, put
the infantry in disorder, so that the rout became
general.
This loss was principally ascribed to Aratus, for he
was thought to have abandoned Lysiades to his fate.
The Achseans therefore retired in great anger, and
obliged him to follow them to jEgium. There it was
decreed in full council, that he should be supplied with
no more money, nor have any mercenaries maintained;
and that if he would go to war, he must find resources
for it himself. Thus ignominiously treated, he was
inclined to give up the seal, and resign his command
immediately; but, on more mature consideration, be
thought it better to bear the affront with patience.
Soon after this, he led the Achaeans to Orchomenus,
where he gave battle to Megistonus, father-in-law to
Cleomenes, killed three hundred of his men, and took
him prisoner. '?
It had been customary with him to take the com-
mand every other year; but when his turn came, and
he was called on to resume it, he absolutely refused,
and Timoxenus was appointed general. The reason
commonly given for his rejecting that commission, was
his resentment against the people for the late dishonor
they had done him; but the real cause was the bad
posture of the Achaean affairs. Cleomenes no longer
advanced by insensible steps: he had no measures now
to keep with the magistrates at home, nor any thing to
fear from their opposition; for he had put the ephori
to death, distributed the lands in equal portions, and
admitted many strangers citizens of Sparta. After he
had made himself absolute master by these means at
home, he marched into Achaia, and insisted on being
appointed general of the league. Aratus, therefore, ia
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? 272-
PLUTARCH.
highly blamed, when affairs were in such a tempestuous
state, for giving up the helm to another pilot, when he
Ought rather to have taken it by force to save the com-
munity from sinking. Or, if he thought the Achaean
power beyond the possibility of being retrieved, he
should have yielded to Cleomenes, and not have
brought Peloponnesus into a state of barbarism again
with Macedonian garrisons, nor filled the citadel of
Corinth with Illyrian and Gaulish arms: for this was
making those men to whom he had shown himself supe-
rior, both in his military and political capacity, and
whom he vilified so much in his Commentaries, masters
of his cities, under the softer, but false name of allies.
It may be said, perhaps, that Cleomenes wanted justice,
and was tyrannically inclined: let us grant it for a mo-
ment; yet he was a descendant of the Heraclidae, and
his country was Sparta, the meanest citizen of which
should have been preferred as general of the league to
the first of the Macedonians, at least by those who set
atiy value on the dignity of Greece. Besides, Cleome-
nes asked for the command among the Achaeans, only
to make their cities happy in his services, in return
for the honor of the title: whereas Antigonus, though
declared commander-in-chief both by sea and land,
would not accept the commission till he was paid with
the citadel of Corinth ; in which he perfectly resembled
jEsop's hunter; for he would not ride the Achaeans,
though they offered their backs, and though by em-
bassies and decrees they courted him to do it, till he
had first bridled them by his garrison, and by the hos-
tages which they were obliged to deliver to him.
It is true, Aratus labors to justify himself by the ne-
cessity of affairs. But Polybius assures us that, long
before that necessity existed, he had been afraid of the
daring spirit of Cleomenes, and had not only treated
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? . ARATUS.
273
with Antigonus in private, but drawn in the Megalo-
politans to propose it to the general assembly of the
Achaeans, that Antigonus should be invited to their as-
sistance: for, whenever Cleomenes renewed his depre-
dations, the Megalopolitans were the first that suffered
by them. Phylarchus gives the same account; but we
should not have afforded him much credit, if he had
not been supported by the testimony of Polybius: for
such is his fondness for Cleomenes, that he cannot
speak of him but in an enthusiastic manner; and, as
if he was pleading a cause, rather than writing a his-
tory, he perpetually disparages the one, and vindicates
the other.
The Achaeans having lost Mantinea, which Cleome-
nes now took a second time, and being moreover de-
feated in a great battle at Hecatomboeum, were struck
with such terror, that they immediately invited Cleo-
menes to Argos, with a promise of making him general.
But Aratus no sooner perceived that he was on his
march, and had brought his army as far as Lerma,
than his fears prevailed, and he sent ambassadors to
desire him to come to the Achaeans as friends and
allies, with three hundred men only.
They were to
add, that if he had any distrust of the Achaeans, they
would give him hostages. Cleomenes told them, they
did but insult and mock him with such a message, and
returning immediately, wrote a letter to the Achaean
council, full of complaints and invectives against Ara-
tus. Aratus wrote another against Cleomenes in the
same style; and they proceeded to such gross abuse,
as not to spare even the characters of their wives and
families.
On this, Cleomenes sent a herald to declare war
against the Achaeans; and in the mean time the city of
Sicyon was near being betrayed to him. Disappointed
PLUT. VoL. VII. 8
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? 874
PLUTARCH.
of his expectation there, be turned against Pellene,
dislodged the Achaean garrison, and secured the town
for himself. A little after this he took Pheneum and
Penteleum; and it was not long before the people of
Argos adopted his interest, and the Phliasians received
his garrison. So that scarce any thing remained firm
to the Achaaans of the dominions they had acquired;
Aratus saw nothing but confusion about him ; all Pelo-
ponnesus was in a tottering condition; and tbe cities
every where exoited by innovators to revolt. Indeed,
none were quiet or satisfied with their present circum-
stances. Even amongst the Sicyonians and Corinthians
many were found to have a correspondence with Cleo-
menes, having been long disaffected to the administra-
tion and the public utility, because they wanted to get
the power into their own hands. Aratus was invested
with full authority to punish the delinquents. The
corrupt members of Sicyon he cut off; but, by seeking
for such in Corinth, in order to put them to death, he
exasperated the people, already sick of the same dis-
temper, and weary of the Achaean government. On
this occasion they assembled in the temple of Apollo,
and sent for Aratus, being determined either to kill
him, or take him prisoner, before they proceeded to an
open revolt. He came leading his horse, as if he had
not the least mistrust or suspicion. When they saw
him at the gate, a number of them rose up, and loaded
him with reproaches. But he, with a composed counte-
nance and mild address, bade them sit down again, and
not by standing in the way, and making such a dis-
orderly noise, prevent other citizens who were at the
door from entering. At the same time that he said
this, he drew back step by step, as if he was seeking
somebody to take his horse. Thus he got out of the
crowd, and continued to talk, without the least appear-
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? ARATUS. 275
ance of confusion, to such of the Corinthians as he met,
and desired them to go to the temple, till he insensibly
approached the citadel. He then mounted his horse,
and without stopping any longer at the fort, than to
give his orders to Cleopater the governor to keep a
strict guard on it, he rode off to Sicyon, followed by
no more than thirty soldiers, for the rest had left him
and dispersed.
The Corinthians, soon apprised of his flight, went in
pursuit of him; but failing in their design, they sent
for Cleomenes, and put the city into his hands. He
did not however think this advantage equal to his loss
in their suffering Aratus to escape. As soon as the in-
habitants of that district on the coast called Acte had
surrendered their towns, he shut up the citadel with
a wall of circumvallation, and a pallisadoed intrench-
ment.
In the mean time many of the Achaeans repaired to
Aratus at Sicyon, and a general assembly was held, in
which he was chosen commander-in-chief, with an
unlimited commission. He now first took a guard,
and it was composed of his fellow-citizens. He had
conducted the Achaean administration three-and-thirty
years; he had been the first man in Greece, both in
power and reputation; but he now found himself aban-
doned, indigent, persecuted without any thing but one
plank to trust to in the storm that had shipwrecked his
country: for the jEtolians refused him the assistance
which he requested, and the city of Athens, though
well inclined to serve him, was prevented by Euclides
and Micion.
Aratus had a house and valuable effects at Corinth.
Cleomenes would not touch any thing that belonged to
him, but sent for his friends and agents, and charged
them to take the utmost care of his affairs, as remem-
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? 276
PLUTARCH.
bering that they must give an account to Aratus. To
Aratus himself he privately sent Tripylis, and after-
wards his father-in-law Megistonus, with great offers,
and among the rest a pension of twelve talents, which
was double the yearly allowance he had from Ptolemy:
for this, he desired to be appointed general of the
Achaeans, and to be joined with him in the care of the
citadel of Corinth. Aratus answered, 'That he did not
now govern affairs, but they governed him. ' As there
appeared an insincerity in this answer, Cleomenes
entered the territories of Sicyon, and committed great
devastations. He likewise blocked up the city for
three months together; all which time Aratus was de-
bating with himself whether he should surrender the
citadel to Antigonus; for he would not send him suc-
cors on any other condition.
Before he could take his resolution the Achaeans
met in council at jEgium, and called him to attend it.
As the town was invested by Cleomenes, it was danger-
ous to pass. The citizens intreated him not to go, and
declared they would not suffer him to expose himself
to an enemy who was watching for his prey. The ma-
trons and their children, too, hung on him, and wept
for him as for a common parent and protector. He
consoled them, however, as well as he could, and rode
down to the sea, taking with him ten of his friends,
and his son, who was now approaching to manhood.
Finding some vessels at anchor, he went on board, and
arrived safe at jEgium. There he held an assembly,
in which it was decreed that Antigonus should be
called in, and the citadel surrendered to him. Aratus
sent his own son amongst the other hostages; which
the Corinthians so much resented, that they plundered
his goods, and made a present of his house to Cleo-
menes.
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? ARATUS.
277
As Antigonus was now approaching with his army,
which consisted of twenty thousand foot, all Mace-
donians, and of fourteen hundred horse, Aratus went
with the Achaean magistrates by sea, and without being
discovered by the enemy, met him at Pegae; though
he placed no great confidence in Antigonus, and dis-
trusted the Macedonians: for he knew that his great-
ness had been owing to the mischiefs he had done
them, and that he had first risen to the direction of
affairs in consequence of his hatred to old Antigonus.
But seeing an indispensable necessity before him, such
an occasion as those who seemed to command are
forced to obey, he faced the danger. When Antigonus
was told that Aratus was come in person, he gave the
rest a common welcome, but received him in the most
honorable manner; and finding him on trial to be a
man of probity and prudence, took him into his most
intimate friendship: for Aratus was not only service-
able to the king in great affairs, but in the hours of
leisure his most agreeable companion. Antigonus,
therefore, though young, perceiving in him such a
temper, and such other qualities as fitted him for a
prince's friendship, preferred him not only to the rest
of the Achaeans, but even to the Macedonians that
were about him, and continued to employ him in every
affair of consequence. Thus the thing which the gods
announced by the entrails of one of the victims was
accomplished: for it is said, that when Aratus was
sacrificing not long before, there appeared in the liver
two gall-bladders inclosed in the same caul; on which,
the diviner declared, that two enemies, who appeared
the most irreconcileable, would soon be united in the
strictest friendship. Aratus then took little notice of
the saying, for he never put much faith in victims, nor
indeed in predictions from any thing else, but used to
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? 278
PIUTARCH.
depend on his reason. Seme time after, however,
when the war went on successfully, Antigonus made an
entertainment at Corinth, at which, though there was
a numerous company, he placed Aratus next above
him. They had not sat long before Antigonus called
for a cloak. At the same time he asked Aratus,
'Whether he did not think it very cold,' and he an-
swered, 'It was extremely cold. ' The king then de-
sired him to sit nearer, and the servants who brought
the cloak put it over the shoulders of both. This put-
ting Aratus in mind of the victim, he informed the
king both of the sign and the prediction: but this hap-
pened long after the time that we are on.
While they were at Pegae they took oaths of mu-
tual fidelity, and then marched against the enemy.
There were several actions under the walls of Corinth,
in which Cleomenes had fortified himself strongly,
and the Corinthians defended the place with great
vigor.
In the mean time Aristotle, a citizen of Argos, and
friend of Aratus, sent an agent to him privately, with
an offer of bringing that city to declare for him, if
he would go thither in person with some troops. Ara-
tus having acquainted Antigonus with this scheme,
embarked fifteen hundred men, and sailed immediately
with them from the Isthmus to Epidaurus. But the
people of Argos, without waiting for his arrival, had
attacked the troops of Cleomenes, and shut them up
in the citadel. Cleomenes having notice of this, and
fearing that the enemy, if they were in possession of
Argos, might cut off his retreat to Lacedaemon, left
his post before the citadel of Corinth the same night,
and marched to the succor of his men. He reached
it before Aratus, and gained some advantage over the
enemy; but Aratus arriving soon after, and the king
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? ARATUS.
279
appearing with bis army, Cleomenes retired to Man-
tinea.
On this, all the cities joined the Achaeans again.
Antigonus made himself master of the citadel of Co-
rinth; and the Argives having appointed Aratus their
general, he persuaded them to give Antigonus the
estates of the late tyrants and all the traitors. That
people put Aristomachus to the torture at Cencbreaa,
and afterwards drowned him in the sea. Aratus was
much censured on this occasion, for permitting a man
to suffer unjustly, who was not a bad character, with
whom he formerly had connexions, and who, at bis
persuasion, had abdicated the supreme power, and
brought Argos to unite itself to the Achaean league.
There were other charges against Aratus, namely,
that, at his instigation, the Achaeans had given the city
of Corinth to Antigonus, as if it had been no more
than an ordinary village; that they had suffered him
to pillage Orchomenus, and place in it a Macedonian
garrison; that they had made a decree that their com-
munity should not send a letter or an embassy to any
other king, without the consent of Antigonus; that
they were forced to maintain and pay the Macedo-
nians; and that they had sacrifices, libations, and
games, in honor of Antigonus; the fellow-citizens of
Aratus setting the example, and receiving Antigonus
into their oity, on which occasion Aratus entertained
him in his house: for all these things they blamed
Aratus, not considering that when he had once put the
reins in the hands of that prince, he was necessarily
carried along with the tide of regal power; no longer
master of any thing but his tongue, and it was dan-
gerous to use that with freedom: for he was visibly
concerned at many circumstances of the king's con-
duct, particularly with respect to the statues. Antigo-
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? PLUTARCH.
nus erected anew those of the tyrants which Aratug
had pulled down, and demolished those he had set up
in memory of the brave men that surprised the citadel
of Corinth. That of Aratus only was spared, not-
withstanding his intercession for the rest. In the affair
of Mantinea, too, the behavior of the Achaeans was not
so suitable to the Grecian humanity: for having con-
quered it by means of Antigonus, they put the prin-
cipal of the inhabitants to the sword; some of the rest
they sold, or sent in fetters to Macedonia; and they
made slaves of the women and children. Of the money
thus raised, they divided a third part amongst them-
selves, and gave the rest to the Macedonians. But
this had its excuse in the law of reprisals: for, how-
ever shocking it may appear for men to sacrifice to
their anger those of their own nation and kindred, yet
in necessity, as Simonides says, it seems rather a pro-
per alleviation, than a hardship, to give relief to a
mind inflamed and aching with resentment. But as to
what Aratus did afterwards with respect to Mantinea,
it is impossible to justify him on a plea either of pro-
priety or necessity: for Antigonus having made a pre-
sent of that city to the Argives, they resolved to re-
people it, and appointed Aratus to see it done; in
virtue of which commission, as well as that of general,
be decreed that it should no more be called Mantinea,
but Antigonea, which name it still bears. Thus, by
his means Mantinea, the amiable Mantinea, as Homer
calls it, was no more; and in the place of it we have a
city which took its name from the man who ruined its
inhabitants.
Some time after this, Cleomenes being overthrown
in a great battle near Sellasia, quitted Sparta, and
sailed to Egypt. As for Antigonus, after the kindest
and most honorable behavior to Aratus, he returned to
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? ARATUS.
281
Macedonia. In his sickness there, which happened
soon after his arrival, he sent Philip, then very young,
but already declared his successor, into Peloponnesus;
having first instructed him above all things to give at-
tention to Aratus, and through him to treat with the
cities, and make himself known to the Achaeans. Ara-
tus received him with great honor, and managed him
so well, that he returned to Macedonia full of senti-
ments of respect for his friend, and in the most favor-
able disposition for the interests of Greece.
After the death of Antigonus the . iEtolians despised
the inactivity of the Achaeans: for, accustomed to the
protection of foreign arms, and sheltering themselves
under the Macedonian power, they sunk into a state of
idleness and disorder. This gave the jEtolians room
to attempt a footing in Peloponnesus. By the way
they made some booty in the country about Patrae and
Dyme, and then proceeded to Messene, and laid waste
its territories. Aratus was incensed at this insolence,
but he perceived that Timoxenus, who was then gene-
ral, took slow and dilatory measures, because his year
was almost expired. Therefore, as be was to succeed
to the command, he anticipated his commission by five
days, for the sake of assisting the Messenians. He
assembled the Achaeans; but they had now neither ex-
ercise nor courage to enable them to maintain the com-
bat, and consequently he was beaten in a battle which
he fought at Caphyae. Being accused of having ven-
tured too much on this occasion, he became afterwards
so cold, and so far abandoned his hopes for the public,
as to neglect the opportunities which the _55tolians
gave him, and suffered them to roam about Pelopon-
nesus, in a bacchanalian manner, committing all the
excesses that insolence could suggest.
The Achaeans were now obliged to stretch out their
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? PLUTARCH,
hands again towards Macedonia, and brought Philip
to interfere in the affairs of Greece. They knew the
regard he had for Aratus, and the confidence he placed
in him, and hoped on that account to find him tract-
able and easy in all their affairs. But the king now
first began to listen to Apelles, Megalacus, and other
courtiers, who endeavored to darken the character of
Aratus, and prevailed on him to support the contrary
party, by which means Eperatus was elected general
of the Aclueans. Eperatus, however, soon fell into
the greatest contempt amongst them; and, as Aratus
would not give any attention to their concerns, nothing
went well. Philip, finding that he had committed a
capital error, turned again to Aratus, and gave himself
up intirely to his direction. As his affairs now pros-
pered, and bis power and reputation grew under the
culture of Aratus, he depended intirely on him for the
farther increase of both. Indeed it was evident to all
the world that Aratus had excellent talents, not only
for guiding a commonwealth, but a kingdom too; for
there appeared a tincture of his principles and manners
in all the conduct of this young prince. Thus the mo-
deration with which he treated the Spartans after they
had offended him, his engaging behavior to the Cre-
tans, by which he gained the whole island in a few
days, and the glorious success of his expedition against
the >? tolians, gained Philip the honor of knowing how
to follow good counsel, and Aratus that of being able
to give it.
On this account the courtiers envied him still more;
? nd as they found that their private engines of ca-
lumny availed nothing, they began to try open battery,
reviling and insulting him at table with the utmost
effrontery and lowest abuse. Nay, once they threw
stones at him, as he was retiring from supper to his
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? ARATUS.
tent. Philip, incensed at such outrage, fined them
twenty talents; and, on their proceeding to disturb
and embroil his affairs, pnt them to death.
But afterwards he was carried so high, by the flow
of prosperity, as to discover many disorderly passions.
The native badness of his disposition broke through
the veil be had put over it, and by degrees bis real
character appeared. In the first place, he greatly in-
jured young Aratus by corrupting bis wife; and th*
intercourse was a long time secret, because he lived
under his roof, where he had been received under the
sanction of hospitality. In the next place, he disco-
vered a strong aversion to commonwealths, and to th*
cities that were under that form of government. It was
easy to be seen, too, that he wanted to shake off Ara-
tus. The first suspicion of his intentions arose from
his behavior with respect to the Messenians. There
were two factions amongst them which had raised a
sedition in the city. Aratus went to reconcile them;
but Philip getting to the place a day before him, added
stings to their mutual resentments. On the one hand,
he called the magistrates privately, and asked tbem
whether they had not laws to restrain the rabble; and,
on the other, he asked the demagogues whether they
had not hands to defend them against tyrants. The
magistrates, thus encouraged, attacked the chiefs of
the people; and they, in their turn, came with supe-
rior numbers, and killed the magistrates, with near
two hundred more of their party.
After Philip had engaged in these detestable prac-
tices, which exasperated the Messenians still more
against each other, Aratus, when he arrived, made no
secret of his resentment, nor did he restrain his son in
the severe and disparaging things he said to Philip.
The young man had once a particular attachment to
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gained this important victory without the loss of one
man, could not make himself master of Argos, nor de-
liver it from slavery; for Agias and young Aristo-
machus entered it with the king of Macedon's troops,
and held it in subjection.
This action silenced in a great measure the calumny
of the enemy, and put a stop to the insolent scoffs of
those, who, to flatter the tyrants, had not scrupled to
say, that whenever the Achaean general prepared for
battle, his bowels lost their retentive faculty; that
when the trumpet sounded, his eyes grew dim, and
his head giddy; and that when he had given the word,
he used to ask his lieutenants, and other officers, what
farther need there could be of him, since the die was
cast, and whether he might not retire, and wait the
event of the day at some distance. These reports bad
prevailed so much, that the philosophers, in their in-
quiries in the schools, whether the palpitation of the
heart and change of color on the appearance of dan-
ger, were arguments of cowardice, or only of some
natural defect, some coldness in the constitution? used
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? ARATU8.
always to quote Aratus as an excellent general, who
yet was always subject to these emotions on occasions
Of a battle.
After he had destroyed Aristippus, he sought means
to depose Lysiades the Megalopolitan, who had as-
sumed the supreme power in his native city. This
man had something generous in his nature, and was
not insensible to true honor. He had not, like most
other tyrants, committed this injustice out of a love of
licentious pleasure, or from a motive of avarice; but
incited, when very young, by a passion for glory, and
unadvisedly believing the false and vain accounts of
the wondrous happiness of arbitrary power, he had
made it his business to usurp it. However, he soon
felt it a heavy burden; and being at once desirous to
gain the happiness which Aratus enjoyed, and to de-
liver himself from the fear of his intriguing spirit, he
formed the noblest resolution that can be conceived,
which was first to deliver himself from the hatred,
the fears, and the guards that encompassed him, and
then to bestow the greatest blessing on his country.
In consequence hereof he sent for Aratus, laid down
the authority he had assumed, and joined the city
to the Achaean league. The Achaeans, charmed with
his noble spirit, thought it not too great a compli
stent to elect him general. He was no sooner ap-
pointed than he discovered an ambition to raise his
name above that of Aratus, and was by that means
led to several unnecessary attempts, particularly to
declare war against the Lacedaemonians. Aratus en-
deavored to prevent it, but his opposition was thought
to proceed from envy. Lysiades was chosen general a
second time, though Aratus exerted all his interest to
get that appointment for another; for, as we have al-
ready observed, he had the command himself only
every other year. Lysiades was fortunate enough to
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? 2C4
PLUTARCH.
gain that commission a third time, enjoying it alter-
nately with Aratus. But at last, avowing himself his
enemy, and often accusing him to the Achaeans in full-
council, that people cast him off: for he appeared with
only an assumed character to contend against real and
sincere virtue. yEsop tells us, 'that the cuckoo one
day asked the little birds why they avoided her; and
they answered, it was because they feared she would
at last prove a hawk. ' In like manner it happened to-
Lysiades. It was suspected that, as he had been once
a tyrant, his laying down his power was not quite a
voluntary thing, and that he would be glad to take the
first opportunity to resume it.
Aratus acquired new glory in the war with the JEto-
lians. The Achaeans pressed him to engage them on
the confines of Megara; and Agis, king of the Lace-
daemonians, who attended with an army, joined his
instances to theirs; but he would not consent. They
reproached him with want of spirit, with cowardice;
they, tried what the weapons of ridicule could do; but
he bore all their attacks with patience, and would not
sacrifice the real good of the community to the fear of
seeming disgrace. On this principle he suffered the
jEtolians to pass Mount Gerania, and to enter Pelo-
ponnesus without the least resistance. But when he
found that in their march they had seized Pellene, he
was no longer the same man. Without the least de-
lay, without waiting till all his forces were assembled,
he advanced with those he had at hand against the
enemy, who were much weakened by their late acqui-
sition; for it had occasioned the utmost disorder and*
misrule. They had no sooner entered the city than
the private men dispersed themselves in the houses*
and began to scramble and fight for the booty, while
the generals and other officers seized the wives and
daughters of the inhabitants, and each put his helmet)
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? ARATUS* 265
on the head of his prize, as a mark to whom she be-
longed, and to prevent her coming into the hands of
another.
While they were thus employed, news was brought
that Aratus was at hand, and ready to fall on them.
The consternation was such as might be expected
amongst men in extreme disorder. Before they were
all apprised of their danger, those that were about the
gates and in the suburbs had skirmished a few mo-
ments with the Achaeans, and were put to flight: and
the precipitation with which they fled greatly distressed
those who had assembled to support them. During
this confusion one of the captives, daughter to Epige-
thes, a person of great eminence in Pellene, who was
remarkable for her beauty and majestic mien, was
seated in the temple of Diana, where the officer whose
prize she was had placed her, after having put his hel-
met, which was adorned with three plumes of feathers,
on her head. This lady, hearing the noise and tumult,
ran out suddenly to see what was the cause. As she
stood at the door of the temple, and looked down on
the combatants, with the helmet still on her head, she
appeared to the citizens a figure more than human, and
the enemy took her for a deity; which struck the latter
with such terror and astonishment, that they were no
longer able to use their arms.
The Pelleneans tell us, that the statue of the goddess
stands commonly untouched ; and that when the priest-
ess moves it out of the temple, in order to carry it in
procession, none dare look it in the face; but, on the
contrary, they turn away their eyes with great care;
for it is not only a terrible and dangerous sight to
mankind, but its look renders the trees barren, and
blasts the fruits where it passes. They add, that the
priestess carried it out on this occasion; and always
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? PLUTARCH.
turning the face directly towards the jEtolians, filled
them with horror, and deprived them of their senses.
But Aratus, in his Commentaries, makes no mention of
any such circumstance; he only says, that he put the
jEtolians to flight, and entering the town with the fu-
gitives, dislodged them by dint of sword, and killed
Seven hundred. This action was one of the most cele-
brated in history: Timanthes the painter gave a very
lively and excellent representation of it.
However, as many powerful states were combining
against the Achaeans, Aratus hastened to make peace
With the ^Etolians, which he not only effected with the
assistance of Pantaleon, one of the most powerful men
amongst them, but likewise entered into an alliance
offensive and defensive. He had a strong desire to
restore Athens to its liberty, and exposed himself to
the severest censures of the Achteans, by attempting
to surprise the Piraeus, while there was a truce sub-
sisting between them and the Macedonians. Aratus,
indeed, in his Commentaries, denies the fact, and lays
the blame on Erginus, with whom he took the citadel
of Corinth. He says it was the peculiar scheme of
Erginus to attempt that port; that, his ladder break-
ing, he miscarried, and was pursued; and that, to save
himself, be often called on Aratus, as if present; by
which artifice he deceived the enemy, and escaped.
But this defence of his wants probability to support it.
It is not likely that Erginus, a private man, a Syrian,
would have formed a design of such consequence, with-
out having Aratus at the bead of it, to supply him with
troops, and to point out the opportunity for the attack.
Nay, Aratus proved the same against himself, by mak-
ing not only two or three, but many more attempts on
the Piraeus. Like a person violently in love, his mis-
carriages did not prevail on him to desist; for, as his
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? ARATUS.
hopes were disappointed only by the failure perhaps of
a single circumstance, and he was always within a lit-
tle of succeeding, he still encouraged himself to go on.
In one repulse, as he fled over the fields of Thirasium,
he broke his leg; and the cure could not be effected
without several incisions; so that, for some time after,
when he was called to action, he was carried into the
field in a litter.
After the death of Antigonus, and Demetrius' acces-
sion to the throne, Aratus was more intent than ever
on delivering Athens from the yoke, and conceived an
utter contempt for the Macedonians. He was however
defeated in a battle near Phylacia, by Bitbys, the new
king's general; and a strong report being spread on
one side that he was taken prisoner, and on another
that he was dead, Diogenes, who commanded in the
Piraeus, wrote a letter to Corinth, insisting ' that the
Achaeans should evacuate the place, since Aratus was
no more. ' Aratus happened to be at Corinth when the
letter arrived; and the messengers finding that their
business occasioned much laughter and satirical dis-
course, retired in great confusion. The king of Mace-
don himself, too, sent a ship, with orders 'that Aratus
should be brought to him in chains. '
The Athenians, exceeding themselves in flattery to
the Macedonians, wore chaplets of flowers on the first
report of Aratus' death. Incensed at this treatment, he
immediately marched out against them; and proceeded
as far as the Academy: but they implored him to spare
them, and he returned without doing them the least
injury. This made the Athenians sensible of his vir-
tue; and, as on the death of Demetrius they were de-
termined to make an attempt for liberty, they called
him in to their assistance. Though he was not general
of the Achasana that year, and was so much indisposed
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? 268
PLUTARCH.
besides, by long sickness, as to be forced to keep hid
bed, yet he caused himself to be carried in a litter, to
render them his best services. Accordingly he pre-
vailed on Diogenes, who commanded the garrison, to
give up the Piraeus, Munychia, Salamis, and Sunium,
to the Athenians, for the consideration of a hundred
and fifty talents, twenty of which Aratus himself fur-
nished. On this the jEginetae and Hermionians joined
the Achaeans, and great part of Arcadia paid contribu-
tions to the league. The Macedonians now found em-
ployment enough for their arms nearer home; and the
Achaeans, numbering the iEtolians amongst their allies,
found a great addition to their power.
Aratus still proceeded on his old principles, and in
his uneasiness to see tyranny established in a city so
near him as that of Argos, sent his agents to Aristoma-
Chus, to represent ' how advantageous a thing it would
be for him to restore that city to liberty, and join it to
the Achaean league; how noble to follow the example
of Lysiades, and command so great a people with repu-
tation and honor, as the general of their choice, rather
than one city as a tyrant, exposed to perpetual danger
and hatred. ' Aristomachus listened to their suggestions,
and desired Aratus to send him fifty talents to pay off
his troops. The money was granted agreeably to his
request; but Lysiades, whose commission as general was
not expired, and who was ambitious to have this nego-
tiation pass with the Achaeans for his work, took an
opportunity, while the money was providing, to accuse
Aratus to Aristomachus, as a person that had an im-
placable aversion to tyrants, and to advise him rather
to put the business into his hands. Aristomachus be-
lieved these suggestions, and Lysiades had the honor
of introducing him to the league. But on this occasion
especially: the Achaean council showed their affection
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? . ARATUS.
and fidelity to Aratus: for, on his speaking against
Aristomachus, they rejected him with marks of resent-
ment. Afterwards, when Aratus was prevailed on to
manage the affair, they readily accepted the proposal,
and passed a decree, by which the Argives and Phlia-
sians were admitted into the league. The year follow*
ing, too, Aristomachus was appointed general.
Aristomachus finding himself esteemed by the Achae-
ans, was desirous of carrying his arms into Laconia,
for which purpose he sent for Aratus from Athens.
Aratus made answer, that he utterly disapproved the
expedition, not choosing that the Achaeans should en-
gage with Cleomenes, whose spirit and power kept
growing in proportion to the dangers he had to en-
counter. Aristomachus, however, was bent on the
enterprise, and Aratus yielding to his solicitations, re-
turned to assist him in the war. Cleomenes offered
him battle at Palantium; but Aratus prevented him
from accepting the challenge. Hereon, Lysiades ac-
cused Aratus to the Achaeans, and the year following
declared himself his competitor for the command; but
Aratus had the majority of votes, and was for the
twelfth time declared general.
This year he was defeated by Cleomenes at Mount
Lycaeum; and, in his flight, being forced to wander
about in the night, he was supposed to be killed. This
was the second time that a report of his death spread
over Greece. He saved himself, however; and having
collected the scattered remains of his forces, was not
satisfied with retiring unmolested: on the contrary, be
availed himself in the best manner of his opportunity;
and when none expected, or even thought of such a
manoeuvre, fell suddenly on the Mantineaus, who were
allies to Cleomenes, took their city, secured it with a
garrison, and declared all the strangers he found there
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? PLUTARCH.
free of the city. In short, he acquired that for the
Achaeans whea beaten, which they could not easily
have gained when victorious.
The Lacedaemonians again entering the territories of
Megalopolis, he marched to relieve that city. Cleo-
menes endeavored to bring him to an engagement; but
he declined it, though the Megalopolitans pressed him
much to leave the matter to the decision of the sword:
for, besides that he was never very fit for disputes in
the open field, he was now inferior in numbers; and at
a time of life when his spirits began to fail and his
ambition was subdued, he would have had to do with
a young man of the most adventurous courage. He
thought, too, that, if Cleomenes, by his boldness, sought
to acquire glory, it became him, by his caution, to keep
that which he had. - >>
One day the light infantry skirmished with the Spar-
tans, and having driven them to their camp, entered it
with them, and began to plunder. Aratus even then
would not lead on the main body, but kept his men on
the other side of a defile that lay between, and would
not suffer them to pass. Lysiades, incensed at this
order, and reproaching him with cowardice, called on
the cavalry to support the party which was in pursuit
of the enemy, and not to betray the victory, nor to de-
sert a man who was going to hazard all for his country.
Many of the best men in the army followed him to the
charge, which was so vigorous, that he put the right
wing of the Lacedaemonians to flight. But, in the
ardor of his courage, and his ambition for honor, he
went inconsiderately on the pursuit, till he fell into an
intricate way, obstructed with trees, and intersected
with large ditches. Cleomenes attacked him in this
ground, and slew him, after he had maintained the
most glorious of all combats, the combat for his peo-
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? ARATUS.
271
pie, almost at their own doors. The rest of the ca-
valry fled, and turning back on the main body, put
the infantry in disorder, so that the rout became
general.
This loss was principally ascribed to Aratus, for he
was thought to have abandoned Lysiades to his fate.
The Achseans therefore retired in great anger, and
obliged him to follow them to jEgium. There it was
decreed in full council, that he should be supplied with
no more money, nor have any mercenaries maintained;
and that if he would go to war, he must find resources
for it himself. Thus ignominiously treated, he was
inclined to give up the seal, and resign his command
immediately; but, on more mature consideration, be
thought it better to bear the affront with patience.
Soon after this, he led the Achaeans to Orchomenus,
where he gave battle to Megistonus, father-in-law to
Cleomenes, killed three hundred of his men, and took
him prisoner. '?
It had been customary with him to take the com-
mand every other year; but when his turn came, and
he was called on to resume it, he absolutely refused,
and Timoxenus was appointed general. The reason
commonly given for his rejecting that commission, was
his resentment against the people for the late dishonor
they had done him; but the real cause was the bad
posture of the Achaean affairs. Cleomenes no longer
advanced by insensible steps: he had no measures now
to keep with the magistrates at home, nor any thing to
fear from their opposition; for he had put the ephori
to death, distributed the lands in equal portions, and
admitted many strangers citizens of Sparta. After he
had made himself absolute master by these means at
home, he marched into Achaia, and insisted on being
appointed general of the league. Aratus, therefore, ia
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? 272-
PLUTARCH.
highly blamed, when affairs were in such a tempestuous
state, for giving up the helm to another pilot, when he
Ought rather to have taken it by force to save the com-
munity from sinking. Or, if he thought the Achaean
power beyond the possibility of being retrieved, he
should have yielded to Cleomenes, and not have
brought Peloponnesus into a state of barbarism again
with Macedonian garrisons, nor filled the citadel of
Corinth with Illyrian and Gaulish arms: for this was
making those men to whom he had shown himself supe-
rior, both in his military and political capacity, and
whom he vilified so much in his Commentaries, masters
of his cities, under the softer, but false name of allies.
It may be said, perhaps, that Cleomenes wanted justice,
and was tyrannically inclined: let us grant it for a mo-
ment; yet he was a descendant of the Heraclidae, and
his country was Sparta, the meanest citizen of which
should have been preferred as general of the league to
the first of the Macedonians, at least by those who set
atiy value on the dignity of Greece. Besides, Cleome-
nes asked for the command among the Achaeans, only
to make their cities happy in his services, in return
for the honor of the title: whereas Antigonus, though
declared commander-in-chief both by sea and land,
would not accept the commission till he was paid with
the citadel of Corinth ; in which he perfectly resembled
jEsop's hunter; for he would not ride the Achaeans,
though they offered their backs, and though by em-
bassies and decrees they courted him to do it, till he
had first bridled them by his garrison, and by the hos-
tages which they were obliged to deliver to him.
It is true, Aratus labors to justify himself by the ne-
cessity of affairs. But Polybius assures us that, long
before that necessity existed, he had been afraid of the
daring spirit of Cleomenes, and had not only treated
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? . ARATUS.
273
with Antigonus in private, but drawn in the Megalo-
politans to propose it to the general assembly of the
Achaeans, that Antigonus should be invited to their as-
sistance: for, whenever Cleomenes renewed his depre-
dations, the Megalopolitans were the first that suffered
by them. Phylarchus gives the same account; but we
should not have afforded him much credit, if he had
not been supported by the testimony of Polybius: for
such is his fondness for Cleomenes, that he cannot
speak of him but in an enthusiastic manner; and, as
if he was pleading a cause, rather than writing a his-
tory, he perpetually disparages the one, and vindicates
the other.
The Achaeans having lost Mantinea, which Cleome-
nes now took a second time, and being moreover de-
feated in a great battle at Hecatomboeum, were struck
with such terror, that they immediately invited Cleo-
menes to Argos, with a promise of making him general.
But Aratus no sooner perceived that he was on his
march, and had brought his army as far as Lerma,
than his fears prevailed, and he sent ambassadors to
desire him to come to the Achaeans as friends and
allies, with three hundred men only.
They were to
add, that if he had any distrust of the Achaeans, they
would give him hostages. Cleomenes told them, they
did but insult and mock him with such a message, and
returning immediately, wrote a letter to the Achaean
council, full of complaints and invectives against Ara-
tus. Aratus wrote another against Cleomenes in the
same style; and they proceeded to such gross abuse,
as not to spare even the characters of their wives and
families.
On this, Cleomenes sent a herald to declare war
against the Achaeans; and in the mean time the city of
Sicyon was near being betrayed to him. Disappointed
PLUT. VoL. VII. 8
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? 874
PLUTARCH.
of his expectation there, be turned against Pellene,
dislodged the Achaean garrison, and secured the town
for himself. A little after this he took Pheneum and
Penteleum; and it was not long before the people of
Argos adopted his interest, and the Phliasians received
his garrison. So that scarce any thing remained firm
to the Achaaans of the dominions they had acquired;
Aratus saw nothing but confusion about him ; all Pelo-
ponnesus was in a tottering condition; and tbe cities
every where exoited by innovators to revolt. Indeed,
none were quiet or satisfied with their present circum-
stances. Even amongst the Sicyonians and Corinthians
many were found to have a correspondence with Cleo-
menes, having been long disaffected to the administra-
tion and the public utility, because they wanted to get
the power into their own hands. Aratus was invested
with full authority to punish the delinquents. The
corrupt members of Sicyon he cut off; but, by seeking
for such in Corinth, in order to put them to death, he
exasperated the people, already sick of the same dis-
temper, and weary of the Achaean government. On
this occasion they assembled in the temple of Apollo,
and sent for Aratus, being determined either to kill
him, or take him prisoner, before they proceeded to an
open revolt. He came leading his horse, as if he had
not the least mistrust or suspicion. When they saw
him at the gate, a number of them rose up, and loaded
him with reproaches. But he, with a composed counte-
nance and mild address, bade them sit down again, and
not by standing in the way, and making such a dis-
orderly noise, prevent other citizens who were at the
door from entering. At the same time that he said
this, he drew back step by step, as if he was seeking
somebody to take his horse. Thus he got out of the
crowd, and continued to talk, without the least appear-
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? ARATUS. 275
ance of confusion, to such of the Corinthians as he met,
and desired them to go to the temple, till he insensibly
approached the citadel. He then mounted his horse,
and without stopping any longer at the fort, than to
give his orders to Cleopater the governor to keep a
strict guard on it, he rode off to Sicyon, followed by
no more than thirty soldiers, for the rest had left him
and dispersed.
The Corinthians, soon apprised of his flight, went in
pursuit of him; but failing in their design, they sent
for Cleomenes, and put the city into his hands. He
did not however think this advantage equal to his loss
in their suffering Aratus to escape. As soon as the in-
habitants of that district on the coast called Acte had
surrendered their towns, he shut up the citadel with
a wall of circumvallation, and a pallisadoed intrench-
ment.
In the mean time many of the Achaeans repaired to
Aratus at Sicyon, and a general assembly was held, in
which he was chosen commander-in-chief, with an
unlimited commission. He now first took a guard,
and it was composed of his fellow-citizens. He had
conducted the Achaean administration three-and-thirty
years; he had been the first man in Greece, both in
power and reputation; but he now found himself aban-
doned, indigent, persecuted without any thing but one
plank to trust to in the storm that had shipwrecked his
country: for the jEtolians refused him the assistance
which he requested, and the city of Athens, though
well inclined to serve him, was prevented by Euclides
and Micion.
Aratus had a house and valuable effects at Corinth.
Cleomenes would not touch any thing that belonged to
him, but sent for his friends and agents, and charged
them to take the utmost care of his affairs, as remem-
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? 276
PLUTARCH.
bering that they must give an account to Aratus. To
Aratus himself he privately sent Tripylis, and after-
wards his father-in-law Megistonus, with great offers,
and among the rest a pension of twelve talents, which
was double the yearly allowance he had from Ptolemy:
for this, he desired to be appointed general of the
Achaeans, and to be joined with him in the care of the
citadel of Corinth. Aratus answered, 'That he did not
now govern affairs, but they governed him. ' As there
appeared an insincerity in this answer, Cleomenes
entered the territories of Sicyon, and committed great
devastations. He likewise blocked up the city for
three months together; all which time Aratus was de-
bating with himself whether he should surrender the
citadel to Antigonus; for he would not send him suc-
cors on any other condition.
Before he could take his resolution the Achaeans
met in council at jEgium, and called him to attend it.
As the town was invested by Cleomenes, it was danger-
ous to pass. The citizens intreated him not to go, and
declared they would not suffer him to expose himself
to an enemy who was watching for his prey. The ma-
trons and their children, too, hung on him, and wept
for him as for a common parent and protector. He
consoled them, however, as well as he could, and rode
down to the sea, taking with him ten of his friends,
and his son, who was now approaching to manhood.
Finding some vessels at anchor, he went on board, and
arrived safe at jEgium. There he held an assembly,
in which it was decreed that Antigonus should be
called in, and the citadel surrendered to him. Aratus
sent his own son amongst the other hostages; which
the Corinthians so much resented, that they plundered
his goods, and made a present of his house to Cleo-
menes.
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? ARATUS.
277
As Antigonus was now approaching with his army,
which consisted of twenty thousand foot, all Mace-
donians, and of fourteen hundred horse, Aratus went
with the Achaean magistrates by sea, and without being
discovered by the enemy, met him at Pegae; though
he placed no great confidence in Antigonus, and dis-
trusted the Macedonians: for he knew that his great-
ness had been owing to the mischiefs he had done
them, and that he had first risen to the direction of
affairs in consequence of his hatred to old Antigonus.
But seeing an indispensable necessity before him, such
an occasion as those who seemed to command are
forced to obey, he faced the danger. When Antigonus
was told that Aratus was come in person, he gave the
rest a common welcome, but received him in the most
honorable manner; and finding him on trial to be a
man of probity and prudence, took him into his most
intimate friendship: for Aratus was not only service-
able to the king in great affairs, but in the hours of
leisure his most agreeable companion. Antigonus,
therefore, though young, perceiving in him such a
temper, and such other qualities as fitted him for a
prince's friendship, preferred him not only to the rest
of the Achaeans, but even to the Macedonians that
were about him, and continued to employ him in every
affair of consequence. Thus the thing which the gods
announced by the entrails of one of the victims was
accomplished: for it is said, that when Aratus was
sacrificing not long before, there appeared in the liver
two gall-bladders inclosed in the same caul; on which,
the diviner declared, that two enemies, who appeared
the most irreconcileable, would soon be united in the
strictest friendship. Aratus then took little notice of
the saying, for he never put much faith in victims, nor
indeed in predictions from any thing else, but used to
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? 278
PIUTARCH.
depend on his reason. Seme time after, however,
when the war went on successfully, Antigonus made an
entertainment at Corinth, at which, though there was
a numerous company, he placed Aratus next above
him. They had not sat long before Antigonus called
for a cloak. At the same time he asked Aratus,
'Whether he did not think it very cold,' and he an-
swered, 'It was extremely cold. ' The king then de-
sired him to sit nearer, and the servants who brought
the cloak put it over the shoulders of both. This put-
ting Aratus in mind of the victim, he informed the
king both of the sign and the prediction: but this hap-
pened long after the time that we are on.
While they were at Pegae they took oaths of mu-
tual fidelity, and then marched against the enemy.
There were several actions under the walls of Corinth,
in which Cleomenes had fortified himself strongly,
and the Corinthians defended the place with great
vigor.
In the mean time Aristotle, a citizen of Argos, and
friend of Aratus, sent an agent to him privately, with
an offer of bringing that city to declare for him, if
he would go thither in person with some troops. Ara-
tus having acquainted Antigonus with this scheme,
embarked fifteen hundred men, and sailed immediately
with them from the Isthmus to Epidaurus. But the
people of Argos, without waiting for his arrival, had
attacked the troops of Cleomenes, and shut them up
in the citadel. Cleomenes having notice of this, and
fearing that the enemy, if they were in possession of
Argos, might cut off his retreat to Lacedaemon, left
his post before the citadel of Corinth the same night,
and marched to the succor of his men. He reached
it before Aratus, and gained some advantage over the
enemy; but Aratus arriving soon after, and the king
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? ARATUS.
279
appearing with bis army, Cleomenes retired to Man-
tinea.
On this, all the cities joined the Achaeans again.
Antigonus made himself master of the citadel of Co-
rinth; and the Argives having appointed Aratus their
general, he persuaded them to give Antigonus the
estates of the late tyrants and all the traitors. That
people put Aristomachus to the torture at Cencbreaa,
and afterwards drowned him in the sea. Aratus was
much censured on this occasion, for permitting a man
to suffer unjustly, who was not a bad character, with
whom he formerly had connexions, and who, at bis
persuasion, had abdicated the supreme power, and
brought Argos to unite itself to the Achaean league.
There were other charges against Aratus, namely,
that, at his instigation, the Achaeans had given the city
of Corinth to Antigonus, as if it had been no more
than an ordinary village; that they had suffered him
to pillage Orchomenus, and place in it a Macedonian
garrison; that they had made a decree that their com-
munity should not send a letter or an embassy to any
other king, without the consent of Antigonus; that
they were forced to maintain and pay the Macedo-
nians; and that they had sacrifices, libations, and
games, in honor of Antigonus; the fellow-citizens of
Aratus setting the example, and receiving Antigonus
into their oity, on which occasion Aratus entertained
him in his house: for all these things they blamed
Aratus, not considering that when he had once put the
reins in the hands of that prince, he was necessarily
carried along with the tide of regal power; no longer
master of any thing but his tongue, and it was dan-
gerous to use that with freedom: for he was visibly
concerned at many circumstances of the king's con-
duct, particularly with respect to the statues. Antigo-
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? PLUTARCH.
nus erected anew those of the tyrants which Aratug
had pulled down, and demolished those he had set up
in memory of the brave men that surprised the citadel
of Corinth. That of Aratus only was spared, not-
withstanding his intercession for the rest. In the affair
of Mantinea, too, the behavior of the Achaeans was not
so suitable to the Grecian humanity: for having con-
quered it by means of Antigonus, they put the prin-
cipal of the inhabitants to the sword; some of the rest
they sold, or sent in fetters to Macedonia; and they
made slaves of the women and children. Of the money
thus raised, they divided a third part amongst them-
selves, and gave the rest to the Macedonians. But
this had its excuse in the law of reprisals: for, how-
ever shocking it may appear for men to sacrifice to
their anger those of their own nation and kindred, yet
in necessity, as Simonides says, it seems rather a pro-
per alleviation, than a hardship, to give relief to a
mind inflamed and aching with resentment. But as to
what Aratus did afterwards with respect to Mantinea,
it is impossible to justify him on a plea either of pro-
priety or necessity: for Antigonus having made a pre-
sent of that city to the Argives, they resolved to re-
people it, and appointed Aratus to see it done; in
virtue of which commission, as well as that of general,
be decreed that it should no more be called Mantinea,
but Antigonea, which name it still bears. Thus, by
his means Mantinea, the amiable Mantinea, as Homer
calls it, was no more; and in the place of it we have a
city which took its name from the man who ruined its
inhabitants.
Some time after this, Cleomenes being overthrown
in a great battle near Sellasia, quitted Sparta, and
sailed to Egypt. As for Antigonus, after the kindest
and most honorable behavior to Aratus, he returned to
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? ARATUS.
281
Macedonia. In his sickness there, which happened
soon after his arrival, he sent Philip, then very young,
but already declared his successor, into Peloponnesus;
having first instructed him above all things to give at-
tention to Aratus, and through him to treat with the
cities, and make himself known to the Achaeans. Ara-
tus received him with great honor, and managed him
so well, that he returned to Macedonia full of senti-
ments of respect for his friend, and in the most favor-
able disposition for the interests of Greece.
After the death of Antigonus the . iEtolians despised
the inactivity of the Achaeans: for, accustomed to the
protection of foreign arms, and sheltering themselves
under the Macedonian power, they sunk into a state of
idleness and disorder. This gave the jEtolians room
to attempt a footing in Peloponnesus. By the way
they made some booty in the country about Patrae and
Dyme, and then proceeded to Messene, and laid waste
its territories. Aratus was incensed at this insolence,
but he perceived that Timoxenus, who was then gene-
ral, took slow and dilatory measures, because his year
was almost expired. Therefore, as be was to succeed
to the command, he anticipated his commission by five
days, for the sake of assisting the Messenians. He
assembled the Achaeans; but they had now neither ex-
ercise nor courage to enable them to maintain the com-
bat, and consequently he was beaten in a battle which
he fought at Caphyae. Being accused of having ven-
tured too much on this occasion, he became afterwards
so cold, and so far abandoned his hopes for the public,
as to neglect the opportunities which the _55tolians
gave him, and suffered them to roam about Pelopon-
nesus, in a bacchanalian manner, committing all the
excesses that insolence could suggest.
The Achaeans were now obliged to stretch out their
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? PLUTARCH,
hands again towards Macedonia, and brought Philip
to interfere in the affairs of Greece. They knew the
regard he had for Aratus, and the confidence he placed
in him, and hoped on that account to find him tract-
able and easy in all their affairs. But the king now
first began to listen to Apelles, Megalacus, and other
courtiers, who endeavored to darken the character of
Aratus, and prevailed on him to support the contrary
party, by which means Eperatus was elected general
of the Aclueans. Eperatus, however, soon fell into
the greatest contempt amongst them; and, as Aratus
would not give any attention to their concerns, nothing
went well. Philip, finding that he had committed a
capital error, turned again to Aratus, and gave himself
up intirely to his direction. As his affairs now pros-
pered, and bis power and reputation grew under the
culture of Aratus, he depended intirely on him for the
farther increase of both. Indeed it was evident to all
the world that Aratus had excellent talents, not only
for guiding a commonwealth, but a kingdom too; for
there appeared a tincture of his principles and manners
in all the conduct of this young prince. Thus the mo-
deration with which he treated the Spartans after they
had offended him, his engaging behavior to the Cre-
tans, by which he gained the whole island in a few
days, and the glorious success of his expedition against
the >? tolians, gained Philip the honor of knowing how
to follow good counsel, and Aratus that of being able
to give it.
On this account the courtiers envied him still more;
? nd as they found that their private engines of ca-
lumny availed nothing, they began to try open battery,
reviling and insulting him at table with the utmost
effrontery and lowest abuse. Nay, once they threw
stones at him, as he was retiring from supper to his
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? ARATUS.
tent. Philip, incensed at such outrage, fined them
twenty talents; and, on their proceeding to disturb
and embroil his affairs, pnt them to death.
But afterwards he was carried so high, by the flow
of prosperity, as to discover many disorderly passions.
The native badness of his disposition broke through
the veil be had put over it, and by degrees bis real
character appeared. In the first place, he greatly in-
jured young Aratus by corrupting bis wife; and th*
intercourse was a long time secret, because he lived
under his roof, where he had been received under the
sanction of hospitality. In the next place, he disco-
vered a strong aversion to commonwealths, and to th*
cities that were under that form of government. It was
easy to be seen, too, that he wanted to shake off Ara-
tus. The first suspicion of his intentions arose from
his behavior with respect to the Messenians. There
were two factions amongst them which had raised a
sedition in the city. Aratus went to reconcile them;
but Philip getting to the place a day before him, added
stings to their mutual resentments. On the one hand,
he called the magistrates privately, and asked tbem
whether they had not laws to restrain the rabble; and,
on the other, he asked the demagogues whether they
had not hands to defend them against tyrants. The
magistrates, thus encouraged, attacked the chiefs of
the people; and they, in their turn, came with supe-
rior numbers, and killed the magistrates, with near
two hundred more of their party.
After Philip had engaged in these detestable prac-
tices, which exasperated the Messenians still more
against each other, Aratus, when he arrived, made no
secret of his resentment, nor did he restrain his son in
the severe and disparaging things he said to Philip.
The young man had once a particular attachment to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:39 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu.
