It was very important for Brasidas to secure the voluntary adherence
of the Acanthians, whose action would have a powerful effect in
determining the attitude of the other Chalcidians towards them.
Accordingly he exerted all his skill as an orator, which was
considerable, to allay their suspicions, and rouse their enthusiasm
for the cause which he represented. That cause, he said, was the
liberation of Greece from the tyranny of Athens. Let none of them
suppose that he had come in the interests of a faction, to enslave the
many to the few, or the few to the many. He had bound the authorities
of Sparta by the most solemn oaths to respect the constitution of any
state which enlisted under their banner. Freedom for Greeks!--that was
the watchword which should find a response in every patriotic heart.
After this fine burst of sentiment, Brasidas descended to a much lower
level, and plainly intimated that if the Acanthians would not join him
from these high motives, he would employ coercion, and proceed to
ravage their estates, This last argument was decisive, and in order to
save their valuable harvest from destruction, they agreed to admit
Brasidas and his army into the town. Shortly afterwards their example
was followed by Stagirus, one day to become famous as the birthplace
of Aristotle.
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