Their
passions had been inflamed by the invectives of the Corinthian orator,
and without counting the cost they were resolved to try the issues of
immediate battle. Their blind rancour found expression in the curt and
pithy harangue of Sthenelaidas, one of the five Ephors, a college of
magistrates which in recent years had greatly encroached on the
authority of the kings. Sthenelaidas spoke with true laconic brevity.
"I don't understand," he said, "all the fine talk of these Athenians.
They have told us a great deal about their own merits, but have not
said a word in answer to the charges brought against them. Even if we
accept their own account of themselves, their good conduct in the past
only lends a darker colour to their present crimes. We have one plain
duty to perform, and that is to save our faithful allies from ill-
treatment. The time for words is past--leave them to the transgressor.
Our part is to act, at once, and with all our might, and put down the
overwhelming insolence of Athens."
Then, in his capacity as Ephor, Sthenelaidas, without staying for
further argument, forthwith put the question to the Spartan assembly.
According to their ordinary procedure, the Spartans gave their votes
by cries of "Ay" and "No." But on this occasion Sthenelaidas pretended
to be unable to distinguish whether the "Ays" or "Nos" had it, and
wishing to encourage the war-party by showing how much they were in
the majority, he ordered the house to divide on the question whether
the treaty was broken, and whether the Athenians were in the wrong or
not.
Pages:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47