called a tyrant by some historians, with whom they even began the succession of tyrants.

During the three years that Cleomenes had left Sparta, the citizens had not thought of nominating kings, from the hopes they entertained that he would return again; and had always preserved the highest esteem and veneration for him; but, as soon as news was brought of his death, they proceeded to the elec tion of kings. They first nominated Agesipolis, a child, descended from one of the royal families, and appointed his uncle Cleomenes his governor. Afterwards they chose Lycurgus, none of whose ancestors had reigned, but who had bribed the ephori, by giving each of them a talent, which was putting the crown to sale at a very low price. They soon had reason to repent their choice, which was in direct opposition to all laws, and never had example. The factious party, which opposed Philip openly, and committed the most enormous violences in the city, had presided in this election; and immediately after, they caused Sparta to declare in favour of the Etolians.

VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS

SECTION III.

OF PHILIP. A PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN HIM AND THE ACHEANS AND THE ETOLIANS.

"WE have already related, that Philip, king of Macedon, being called in by the Acheans to their aid, was

w Post mortem Cleomenis, qui primus Tyrannus Lacedæmone fuit. Liv. 1. xxxiv. n. 26.

come to Corinth, where their general assembly was held; and that there, war had been unanimously declared against the Etolians. The king returned afterwards to Macedonia, to make the necessary preparations for carrying on the war.

Philip brought over Scerdiledes to the alliance with the Acheans. He was, as has been observed, a petty king of Illyria. The Etolians, whose ally he was, had broke their engagements with him, by refusing to give him a certain share of the spoils they had made at the taking of Cynethium, according to the articles agreed upon between them. Philip embraced, with joy, this opportunity of revenging their perfidy.

* Demetrius, of Pharos, joined also with Philip. We have already seen that the Romans, in whose favour he had declared at first, had bestowed on him several of the cities they had conquered in Illyria. As the chief revenue of those petty princes had consisted hitherto in the spoils they got from their neighbours; when the Romans were removed, he could not forbear plundering the cities and territories subject to them. Besides, Demetrius, as well as Scerdiledes, had sailed, on the same design, beyond the city of Issus; which was a direct infraction of the chief article of the treaty, concluded with queen Teuta. For these reasons, the Romans declared war against Demetrius. Accordingly, Emilius attacked him with great vigor, dispos sessed him of his strongest fortresses, and besieged him in Pharos, from whence he escaped with the utmost difficulty. The city surrendered to the Romans.

a

Polyb. l. iii. p. 171-174. Lib. 4. p. 285-305-330.

Demetrius, being dispossessed of all his dominions, fled to Philip, who received him with open arms. This offended the Romans very much, who thereupon sent ambassadors to him, demanding Demetrius to be delivered up. However, Philip, who revolved at that time the design which broke out soon after, paid no regard to their demand; and Demetrius spent the remainder of his days with that monarch. He was a valiant and bold man, but at the same time rash and inconsiderate in his enterprises; and his courage was entirely void of prudence and judgment.

The Acheans, being on the point of engaging in a eonsiderable war, sent to their allies. The Acarnanians joined them very cheerfully, though at their great danger, as they lay nearest the Etolians, and consequently were most exposed to the inroads of that people. Polybius praises their fidelity exceedingly.

The people of Epirus did not show so much good Nev. will, and seemed desirous of continuing neuter. ertheless, they engaged in the war a little after.

Deputies were also sent to king Ptolemy, to desire him not to assist the Etolians, either with troops or money.

The Messenians, for whose sake that war had been first begun, no way answered the hopes which had been naturally entertained, viz. of their employing their whole force to carry it on.

The Lacedemonians had declared at first for the Acheans; but the contrary faction caused the decree to be reversed, and they joined the Etolians. It was

Liv. 1. xxii. n. 33.

on this occasion, as I have said before, that Agesipolis and Lycurgus were elected kings of Sparta.

Aratus the younger, son of the great Aratus, was at that time supreme magistrate of the Acheans, and Scopas was the same over the Etolians.

C

Philip marched from Macedonia with fifteen thousand foot and eight hundred horse. Having crossed Thessaly, he arrived in Epirus. Had he marched directly to the Etolians, he would have come upon them unawares, and have defeated them; but, at the request of the Epirots, he laid siege to Ambracia, which employed him forty days, and gave the enemy time to prepare for, and wait his coming up. They did more. Scopas, at the head of a body of Etolians, advanced into Macedonia, made dreadful havock, and returned in a very short time, laden with spoils, which did him prodigious honour, and greatly animated his forces. However, this did not hinder Philip from entering Etolia, and seizing on a great number of important fortresses. He would have entirely conquered it, had not the news he received, that the Dardaniansa intended to make an inroad into his kingdom, obliged him to return thither. At his departure, he promised the ambassadors of the Acheans to return soon to their assitance. His sudden arrival disconcerted the Dardanians, and put a stop to their enterprise. He then returned to Thessaly, with an intention to pass the rest of the summer in Larissa.

* In the mean time, Dorimachus, whom the Etolians

These people were neighbours of Macedonia, on the north of that kingdom.

had just before nominated their general, entered Epirus, laid waste all the open country, and did not spare even the temple of Dodona.

Philip, though it was now the depth of winter, having left Larissa, arrived at Corinth, without any one's having had the least notice of his march. He there ordered the elder Aratus to attend him, and by a letter to his son, who commanded the forces this year, gave him orders whither to march them. Caphyia was to be the rendezvous. Euripidas, who knew nothing of Philip's arrival, was then marching a detachment of above two thousand natives of Elis, to lay waste the territory of Sicyone. They fell into the hands of Philip, and all, except an hundred, were either killed or taken prisoners.

This was a

The king, having joined Aratus the younger with his forces, at the rendezvous appointed, marched towards Psophis in order to besiege it. very daring attempt; for the city was thought almost impregnable, as well from its natural situation, as from the fortifications which had been added to it. It being the depth of winter, the inhabitants were of opinion that no one would, or even could, attack them. Philip, however, did it with success; for, first the city, and afterwards the citadel, surrendered, after making some resistance. As they were very far from expecting to be besieged, the want of ammunition and provisions very much facilitated the taking of that city. Philip gave it very generously to the Acheans, to whom it was of the most signal service; assuring them, that there was nothing he desired more than to oblige them;

A city of Arcadia.