The Decline of Boeotia
The Boeotians had long been in a very depressed state,
which offered a strong contrast to the former
prosperity and reputation of their country. note
They had acquired great glory as well as great
material prosperity at the time of the battle of Leuctra; but
by some means or another from that time forward they steadily diminished both the one
and the other under the leadership of Amaeocritus; and subsequently not only diminished them, but underwent a complete
change of character, and did all that was possible to wipe out
their previous reputation. For having been incited by the
Achaeans to go to war with the Aetolians, they adopted the
policy of the former and made an alliance with them, and
thenceforth maintained a steady war with the
Aetolians. note But on the Aetolians invading
Boeotia, they marched out with their full
available force, and without waiting for the arrival of the
Achaeans, who had mustered their men and were on the
point of marching to their assistance, they attacked the
Aetolians; and being worsted in the battle were so completely
demoralised, that, from the time of that campaign, they never
plucked up spirit to claim any position of honour whatever,
and never shared in any enterprise or contest undertaken by
the common consent of the Greeks. They devoted themselves entirely to eating and drinking, and thus became effeminate in their souls as well as in their bodies.
