Differences of Opinion Among the Lacedaemonians
Immediately after the commission of this crime, the
note
Ephors who were then in power sent men
to Philip, to accuse the victims of this
massacre; and to beg him to delay his
approach, until the affairs of the city had returned to their
normal state after this commotion; and to be assured meanwhile that it was their purpose to be loyal and friendly to the
Macedonians in every respect. These ambassadors found
Philip near Mount Parthenius, note and communicated to him
their commission. Having listened, he bade the ambassadors
make all haste home, and inform the Ephors that he was going
to continue his march to Tegea, and expected that they would
as quickly as possible send him men of credit to consult with
him on the present position of affairs. After hearing this
message from the king, the Lacedaemonian officers despatched
-- 300 --
ten commissioners headed by Omias to meet Philip; who,
on arriving at Tegea, and entering the king's council chamber,
accused Adeimantus of being the cause of the late commotion; and promised that they would perform all their
obligations as allies to Philip, and show that they were second
to none of those whom he looked upon as his most loyal
friends, in their affection for his person. With these and
similar asseverations the Lacedaemonian commissioners left
the council chamber. The members of the council were
divided in opinion: one party knowing the secret treachery of
the Spartan magistrates, and feeling certain that Adeimantus
had lost his life from his loyalty to Macedonia, while the Lacedaemonians had really determined upon an alliance with the
Aetolians, advised Philip to make an example of the Lacedaemonians, by treating them precisely as Alexander had treated
the Thebans, immediately after his assumption of his sovereignty. But another party, consisting of the older counsellors,
sought to show that such severity was too great for the occasion, and that all that ought to be done was to rebuke the
offenders, depose them, and put the management of the state
and the chief offices in the hands of his own friends.
