Cleomenes Returns to Sparta after the Achaeans Take Argos
Thus Antigonus and Cleomenes were encamped face
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to face: the former desirous of effecting an entrance into the
Peloponnese, Cleomenes determined to prevent him.
Meanwhile the Achaeans, in spite of their severe disasters, note
did not abandon their purpose or give up all
hopes of retrieving their fortunes. They gave
Aristotle of Argos assistance when he headed a
rising against the Cleomenic faction; and, under the command
of Timoxenus the Strategus, surprised and seized Argos. And
this must be regarded as the chief cause of the improvement
which took place in their fortunes; for this reverse checked the
ardour of Cleomenes and damped the courage of his soldiers
in advance, as was clearly shown by what took place afterwards.
For though Cleomenes had already possession of more advantageous posts, and was in the enjoyment of more abundant
supplies than Antigonus, and was at the same time inspired
with superior courage and ambition: yet, as soon as he was informed that Argos was in the hands of the Achaeans, he at once
drew back, abandoned all these advantages, and retreated from
the Isthmus with every appearance of precipitation, in terror of
being completely surrounded by his enemies. At first he retired
upon Argos, and for a time made some attempt to regain the
town. But the Achaeans offered a gallant resistance; and the
Argives themselves were stirred up to do the same by remorse
for having admitted him before: and so, having failed in this
attempt also, he marched back to Sparta by way of Mantinea.
