This action was one of the most cele-
brated in history: Timanthes the painter gave a very
lively and excellent representation of it.
brated in history: Timanthes the painter gave a very
lively and excellent representation of it.
Plutarch - Lives - v7
handle.
net/2027/wu.
89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www.
hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
? 256
PLUTARCH.
the citadel, made his escape to Cenchreae. Some time
after, when he was amusing himself with disputations
in philosophy, and some person advanced this posi-
tion, ' None but the wise man is fit to be a general'--
'It is true,' said he, ' and the gods know it, that this
maxim of Zeno's once pleased me more th,an all the
rest; but I have changed my opinion, since I was
better taught by the young Sicyonian. ' This circum-
stance concerning Persaeus we have from many his-
torians.
Aratus immediately seized the Heraeum, or temple
of Juno, and the harbor of Lechaeum, in which he took
twenty-five of the king's ships. He took also five hun-
dred horses, and four hundred Syrians, whom he sold.
The Achaeans put a garrison of four hundred men in
the citadel of Corinth, which was strengthened with
fifty dogs, and as many men to keep them.
The Romans were great admirers of Philopcemen,
and called him ' the last of the Greeks;' not allowing
that there was any great man amongst that people after
him. But, in my opinion, this exploit of Aratus is the
last which the Greeks have to boast of. Indeed, whe-
ther we consider the boldness of the enterprise, or the
good fortune which attended it, it equals the greatest
on record. The same appears from its immediate
consequences; the Megarensians revolted from Anti-
gonus, and joined Aratus; the Trcezenians and Epi-
daurians, too, ranged themselves on the side of the
Achaeans.
In his first expedition beyond the bounds of Pelo-
ponnesus, Aratus overran Attica, and passing into Sala-
mis, ravaged that island; so that the Achaean forces
thought themselves escaped as it were, out of prison,
and followed him wherever he pleased. On this occa-
sion he set the Athenian prisoners free without ransom,
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? ? ARATUS.
by which he sowed amongst them the first seeds of de-
fection from the Macedonians. He brought Ptolemy
likewise into the Achaean league, by procuring him the
direction of the war both by sea and land. Such was
his influence over the Achsaans, that, as the laws did
not allow him to be general two years together, they
appointed him every other year; and in action, as well
as counsel, he had always in effect the chief command:
for they saw it was not wealth, or glory, or the friend-
ship of kings, or the advantage of his own country, or
any thing else, that he preferred to the promotion of
the Achaaan power. He thought that cities in their
single capacity were weak, and that they could not
provide for their defence without uniting and binding
themselves together for the common good. As the
members of the body cannot be nourished, or live, but
by their connexion with each other, and when sepa-
rated pine and decay; so cities perish when they break
off from the community to which they belonged; and,
on the contrary, gather strength and power, by he-
coming parts of some great body, and enjoying the
fruits of the wisdom of the whole.
Observing therefore that all the bravest people in
his neighborhood lived according to their own laws, it
gave him pain to see the Argives in slavery, and he
took measures for destroying their tyrant Aristo-
machus. Besides, he was ambitious for restoring Ar-
gos to its liberty, as a reward for the education it had
afforded him, and to unite it to the Achaean league.
Without much difficulty he found them hardy enough
to undertake the commission, at the head of whom was
iEschylus and Charimenes the diviner; but they had
no swords; for they were forbidden to keep arms, and
the tyrant had laid great penalties on such as should
be found to have any in their possession. To supply
PLUT. VoL. VII. , - , It
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? PIUTARCH.
this defect, Aratus provided several daggers for them
at Corinth, and having sewed them up in the pack-
saddles of horses that were to carry some ordinary
wares, they were by that stratagem conveyed to Argos.
In the mean time Charimenes taking in another of his
friends as a partner, jEschylus and his associates were
so much provoked, that they cast him off, and deter-
mined to do the business by themselves. But Chari-
menes perceiving their intention, in resentment of the
flight, informed the tyrant of their purpose, when they
were set out to put it in execution. On which they
fled with precipitation, and most of them escaped to
Corinth.
It was not long, however, before Aristomachus was
despatched by one of his own servants; but before any
measures could be taken to guard against tyranny,
Aristippus took the reins, and proved a worse tyrant
than the former. Aratus, indeed, marched imme-
diately to Argos with all the Acbaeans that were able
to bear arms, in order to support the citizens, whom
he doubted not to find ready to assert their liberty.
But they had been long accustomed to the yoke, and
were willing to be slaves; insomuch, that not one of
them joined him, and he returned with the inconve-
nience of bringing a charge on the Achaeans, that they
had committed acts of hostility in time of full peace:
for they were summoned to answer for this injustice
before the Mantineans.
Aratus did not appear at the trial, and Aristippus
being the prosecutor, got a fine of thirty minea laid on
the Achseans. As that tyrant both hated and feared
Aratus, he meditated his death, and Antigonus entered
into the scheme. They had their emissaries in almost
every quarter, watching their opportunity. But the
surest guard for a prince, or other chief, is the sincere
affection of his people: for when the commons and the
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? ARATUS.
nobility, instead of fearing their chief magistrate, fear
for him, he sees with many eyes, and hears with many
ears. And here I cannot but leave a little the thread
of my story, to describe that manner of life which
Aristippus was under a necessity of leading, if he
chose to keep in his hands that despotism, that state
of an arbitrary sovereign, which is commonly so much
envied, and admired as the highest pitch of happiness.
This tyrant, who had Antigonus for his ally, who
kept so large a body-guard, and had not left one of his
enemies alive in the city, would not suffer his guards
to do duty in the palace, but only in the vestibule and
porticos about it. When supper was over, he sent
away all the servants, barred the door of the hall him-
self, and with his mistress crept through a trap-door
into a small chamber above. On that door he placed
his bed, and slept there as a person in his anxious
state of mind may be supposed to sleep. The ladder
by which he went up his mistress' mother took away,
and secured in another room till morning, when she
brought it again, and called up this wonderful prince,
who crept like a reptile out of his hole. Whereas
Aratus, who acquired a lasting command, not by force
of arms, but by virtue, and in a way agreeable to the
laws; who made his appearance without fear in a plain
vest and cloak, and always showed himself an enemy
to tyrants, left an illustrious posterity among the
Greeks, which flourishes at this day. But of those
who have seized castles, who have maintained guards,
who have fenced themselves with arms, and gates, and
barricadoes, how few can we reckon up that have not,
like timorous hares, died a violent death! and not one
of them has left a family, or even a monument to pre-
serve his memory with honor.
Aratus made many attempts, both private and open,
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? PLUTARCH.
to pull down Aristippus, and rescue Argos but of his
hands ; but he always miscarried. Once he applied his
scaling-ladders, and ascended the wall with a small
party, in spite of the extreme danger that threatened
Mm. He even succeeded so far as to kill the guards
that came to oppose him: but when day appeared, and
the tyrant attacked him on all sides, the people of Ar-
gos, as if he had not been fighting for their liberty,
and they were only presiding at the Nemean games, sat
very impartial spectators of the action, without making
the least motion to assist. Aratus defended himself
with great courage, and though he had his thigh run
through with a spear, maintained his post all day
against such superior numbers. Would his strength
have permitted him to continue the combat in the night
too, he must have carried his point; for the tyrant
now thought of nothing but making his escape, and
had already sent most of his treasure on board his
ships. However, as no one gave Aratus intelligence ?
of this circumstance, as his water failed, and his wound
disqualified him from any farther efforts, he called off
his men and retired.
He now despaired of succeeding by way of surprise,
and therefore openly entered the territories of Argos
with his army, and committed great devastations. He
fought a pitched battle with Aristippus near the river
Chares, and on that occasion he was censured for de-
serting the action, and letting the victory slip out of
his hands: for one part of his army had clearly the
advantage, and was advancing fast in' the pursuit, when,
-he, without being overpowered where he acted in per-
son, merely out of fear and diffidence, retired in great
disorder to his camp. His men, on their return from the
pursuit, expressed their indignation at being prevented
from erecting the trophy, after they had put the enemy
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? , ARATUS.
261
to flight, and killed many more men than they had lost.
Aratus, wounded with these reproaches, determined
to risk a second battle for the trophy. Accordingly,
after his men had rested one day, he drew them out
the next. But finding that the enemy's numbers were
increased, and that their troops were in much higher
spirits than before, he durst not venture on an action,
but retreated, after having obtained a truce to carry off,
the dead. However, by his engaging manners, and his
abilities in the administration, he obviated the conse-
quences of this error, and added the city of Cleonae to
the Achaean league. In Cleonae he caused the Nemean
games to be celebrated; for. he thought that city had
the best and most ancient claim to them. The people
of Argos likewise exhibited them; and on this occa-
sion the freedom and security which had been the pri-
vilege of the champions, were first violated. The
Achaeans considered as enemies all that had repaired
to the games at Argos, and having seized them as they
passed through their territories, sold them for slaves.
So violent and implacable was their general's hatred
of tyrants. . .
Not long after, Aratus had intelligence that Aristip-
pus had a design on Cleonae, but that he was afraid of
him, because he then resided at Corinth, which was
very near Cleonae. In this case he assembled his forces
by proclamation, and having ordered them to take pro-
visions for several days, marched to Cenchreae. By
this manoeuvre he hoped to bring Aristippus against
Cleonae, as supposing him at a distance; and it had
its effect. The tyrant immediately set out from Ar-
gos with his army. But it was no sooner dark, than
Aratus returned from Cenchreae to Corinth, and hav-
ing placed guards in all the roads, led on the Achaeans,
who followed him in such good order, and with so
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? PLUTARCH.
much celerity and pleasure, that they not only made
their inarch, hut entered Cleonae that night, and put
themselves in order of battle; nor did Aristippus gain
the least knowlege of this morement.
Next morning at break of day the gates were opened,
the trumpet sounded, and Aratus advancing at full
speed, and with all the alarm of war, fell on the enemy,
and soon routed them. Then he went on the pursuit,
particularly that way which he imagined Aristippus
might take; for the country had several outlets. The
pursuit was continued as far as Mycenw, and the tyrant,
as Dinias tells us, was overtaken and killed by a Cre-
tan named Tragiscus; and of his army there were
above fifteen hundred slain. 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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? 256
PLUTARCH.
the citadel, made his escape to Cenchreae. Some time
after, when he was amusing himself with disputations
in philosophy, and some person advanced this posi-
tion, ' None but the wise man is fit to be a general'--
'It is true,' said he, ' and the gods know it, that this
maxim of Zeno's once pleased me more th,an all the
rest; but I have changed my opinion, since I was
better taught by the young Sicyonian. ' This circum-
stance concerning Persaeus we have from many his-
torians.
Aratus immediately seized the Heraeum, or temple
of Juno, and the harbor of Lechaeum, in which he took
twenty-five of the king's ships. He took also five hun-
dred horses, and four hundred Syrians, whom he sold.
The Achaeans put a garrison of four hundred men in
the citadel of Corinth, which was strengthened with
fifty dogs, and as many men to keep them.
The Romans were great admirers of Philopcemen,
and called him ' the last of the Greeks;' not allowing
that there was any great man amongst that people after
him. But, in my opinion, this exploit of Aratus is the
last which the Greeks have to boast of. Indeed, whe-
ther we consider the boldness of the enterprise, or the
good fortune which attended it, it equals the greatest
on record. The same appears from its immediate
consequences; the Megarensians revolted from Anti-
gonus, and joined Aratus; the Trcezenians and Epi-
daurians, too, ranged themselves on the side of the
Achaeans.
In his first expedition beyond the bounds of Pelo-
ponnesus, Aratus overran Attica, and passing into Sala-
mis, ravaged that island; so that the Achaean forces
thought themselves escaped as it were, out of prison,
and followed him wherever he pleased. On this occa-
sion he set the Athenian prisoners free without ransom,
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? ? ARATUS.
by which he sowed amongst them the first seeds of de-
fection from the Macedonians. He brought Ptolemy
likewise into the Achaean league, by procuring him the
direction of the war both by sea and land. Such was
his influence over the Achsaans, that, as the laws did
not allow him to be general two years together, they
appointed him every other year; and in action, as well
as counsel, he had always in effect the chief command:
for they saw it was not wealth, or glory, or the friend-
ship of kings, or the advantage of his own country, or
any thing else, that he preferred to the promotion of
the Achaaan power. He thought that cities in their
single capacity were weak, and that they could not
provide for their defence without uniting and binding
themselves together for the common good. As the
members of the body cannot be nourished, or live, but
by their connexion with each other, and when sepa-
rated pine and decay; so cities perish when they break
off from the community to which they belonged; and,
on the contrary, gather strength and power, by he-
coming parts of some great body, and enjoying the
fruits of the wisdom of the whole.
Observing therefore that all the bravest people in
his neighborhood lived according to their own laws, it
gave him pain to see the Argives in slavery, and he
took measures for destroying their tyrant Aristo-
machus. Besides, he was ambitious for restoring Ar-
gos to its liberty, as a reward for the education it had
afforded him, and to unite it to the Achaean league.
Without much difficulty he found them hardy enough
to undertake the commission, at the head of whom was
iEschylus and Charimenes the diviner; but they had
no swords; for they were forbidden to keep arms, and
the tyrant had laid great penalties on such as should
be found to have any in their possession. To supply
PLUT. VoL. VII. , - , It
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? PIUTARCH.
this defect, Aratus provided several daggers for them
at Corinth, and having sewed them up in the pack-
saddles of horses that were to carry some ordinary
wares, they were by that stratagem conveyed to Argos.
In the mean time Charimenes taking in another of his
friends as a partner, jEschylus and his associates were
so much provoked, that they cast him off, and deter-
mined to do the business by themselves. But Chari-
menes perceiving their intention, in resentment of the
flight, informed the tyrant of their purpose, when they
were set out to put it in execution. On which they
fled with precipitation, and most of them escaped to
Corinth.
It was not long, however, before Aristomachus was
despatched by one of his own servants; but before any
measures could be taken to guard against tyranny,
Aristippus took the reins, and proved a worse tyrant
than the former. Aratus, indeed, marched imme-
diately to Argos with all the Acbaeans that were able
to bear arms, in order to support the citizens, whom
he doubted not to find ready to assert their liberty.
But they had been long accustomed to the yoke, and
were willing to be slaves; insomuch, that not one of
them joined him, and he returned with the inconve-
nience of bringing a charge on the Achaeans, that they
had committed acts of hostility in time of full peace:
for they were summoned to answer for this injustice
before the Mantineans.
Aratus did not appear at the trial, and Aristippus
being the prosecutor, got a fine of thirty minea laid on
the Achseans. As that tyrant both hated and feared
Aratus, he meditated his death, and Antigonus entered
into the scheme. They had their emissaries in almost
every quarter, watching their opportunity. But the
surest guard for a prince, or other chief, is the sincere
affection of his people: for when the commons and the
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? ARATUS.
nobility, instead of fearing their chief magistrate, fear
for him, he sees with many eyes, and hears with many
ears. And here I cannot but leave a little the thread
of my story, to describe that manner of life which
Aristippus was under a necessity of leading, if he
chose to keep in his hands that despotism, that state
of an arbitrary sovereign, which is commonly so much
envied, and admired as the highest pitch of happiness.
This tyrant, who had Antigonus for his ally, who
kept so large a body-guard, and had not left one of his
enemies alive in the city, would not suffer his guards
to do duty in the palace, but only in the vestibule and
porticos about it. When supper was over, he sent
away all the servants, barred the door of the hall him-
self, and with his mistress crept through a trap-door
into a small chamber above. On that door he placed
his bed, and slept there as a person in his anxious
state of mind may be supposed to sleep. The ladder
by which he went up his mistress' mother took away,
and secured in another room till morning, when she
brought it again, and called up this wonderful prince,
who crept like a reptile out of his hole. Whereas
Aratus, who acquired a lasting command, not by force
of arms, but by virtue, and in a way agreeable to the
laws; who made his appearance without fear in a plain
vest and cloak, and always showed himself an enemy
to tyrants, left an illustrious posterity among the
Greeks, which flourishes at this day. But of those
who have seized castles, who have maintained guards,
who have fenced themselves with arms, and gates, and
barricadoes, how few can we reckon up that have not,
like timorous hares, died a violent death! and not one
of them has left a family, or even a monument to pre-
serve his memory with honor.
Aratus made many attempts, both private and open,
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? PLUTARCH.
to pull down Aristippus, and rescue Argos but of his
hands ; but he always miscarried. Once he applied his
scaling-ladders, and ascended the wall with a small
party, in spite of the extreme danger that threatened
Mm. He even succeeded so far as to kill the guards
that came to oppose him: but when day appeared, and
the tyrant attacked him on all sides, the people of Ar-
gos, as if he had not been fighting for their liberty,
and they were only presiding at the Nemean games, sat
very impartial spectators of the action, without making
the least motion to assist. Aratus defended himself
with great courage, and though he had his thigh run
through with a spear, maintained his post all day
against such superior numbers. Would his strength
have permitted him to continue the combat in the night
too, he must have carried his point; for the tyrant
now thought of nothing but making his escape, and
had already sent most of his treasure on board his
ships. However, as no one gave Aratus intelligence ?
of this circumstance, as his water failed, and his wound
disqualified him from any farther efforts, he called off
his men and retired.
He now despaired of succeeding by way of surprise,
and therefore openly entered the territories of Argos
with his army, and committed great devastations. He
fought a pitched battle with Aristippus near the river
Chares, and on that occasion he was censured for de-
serting the action, and letting the victory slip out of
his hands: for one part of his army had clearly the
advantage, and was advancing fast in' the pursuit, when,
-he, without being overpowered where he acted in per-
son, merely out of fear and diffidence, retired in great
disorder to his camp. His men, on their return from the
pursuit, expressed their indignation at being prevented
from erecting the trophy, after they had put the enemy
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? , ARATUS.
261
to flight, and killed many more men than they had lost.
Aratus, wounded with these reproaches, determined
to risk a second battle for the trophy. Accordingly,
after his men had rested one day, he drew them out
the next. But finding that the enemy's numbers were
increased, and that their troops were in much higher
spirits than before, he durst not venture on an action,
but retreated, after having obtained a truce to carry off,
the dead. However, by his engaging manners, and his
abilities in the administration, he obviated the conse-
quences of this error, and added the city of Cleonae to
the Achaean league. In Cleonae he caused the Nemean
games to be celebrated; for. he thought that city had
the best and most ancient claim to them. The people
of Argos likewise exhibited them; and on this occa-
sion the freedom and security which had been the pri-
vilege of the champions, were first violated. The
Achaeans considered as enemies all that had repaired
to the games at Argos, and having seized them as they
passed through their territories, sold them for slaves.
So violent and implacable was their general's hatred
of tyrants. . .
Not long after, Aratus had intelligence that Aristip-
pus had a design on Cleonae, but that he was afraid of
him, because he then resided at Corinth, which was
very near Cleonae. In this case he assembled his forces
by proclamation, and having ordered them to take pro-
visions for several days, marched to Cenchreae. By
this manoeuvre he hoped to bring Aristippus against
Cleonae, as supposing him at a distance; and it had
its effect. The tyrant immediately set out from Ar-
gos with his army. But it was no sooner dark, than
Aratus returned from Cenchreae to Corinth, and hav-
ing placed guards in all the roads, led on the Achaeans,
who followed him in such good order, and with so
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? PLUTARCH.
much celerity and pleasure, that they not only made
their inarch, hut entered Cleonae that night, and put
themselves in order of battle; nor did Aristippus gain
the least knowlege of this morement.
Next morning at break of day the gates were opened,
the trumpet sounded, and Aratus advancing at full
speed, and with all the alarm of war, fell on the enemy,
and soon routed them. Then he went on the pursuit,
particularly that way which he imagined Aristippus
might take; for the country had several outlets. The
pursuit was continued as far as Mycenw, and the tyrant,
as Dinias tells us, was overtaken and killed by a Cre-
tan named Tragiscus; and of his army there were
above fifteen hundred slain. 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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