Philip Proceeds to Tegea
But it was now getting late: and being obliged to
note
encamp, he availed himself for that purpose of
a place at the very mouth of the pass, his
officers having chanced already to have
selected that very place; than which it would be impossible
to find one more advantageous for making an invasion of
-- 380 --
Laconia by way of Sparta itself. For it is at the very
commencement of this pass, just where a man coming from
Tegea, or, indeed, from any point in the interior, approaches
Sparta; being about two stades from the town and right upon
the river. The side of it which looks towards the town and
river is entirely covered by a steep, lofty, and entirely
inaccessible rock; while the top of this rock is a table-land of
good soil and well supplied with water, and very conveniently
situated for the exit and entrance of troops. A general,
therefore, who was encamped there, and who had command
of the height overhanging it, would evidently be in a place of
safety as regards the neighbouring town, and in a most
advantageous situation as commanding the entrance and exit
of the narrow pass. Having accordingly encamped himself
on this spot in safety, next day Philip sent forward his baggage;
but drew out his army on the table-land in full view of the
citizens, and remained thus for a short time. note Then he wheeled
to the left and marched in the direction of
Tegea; and when he reached the site of the
battle of Antigonus and Cleomenes, he encamped there. Next day, having made an inspection of the
note
ground and sacrificed to the gods on both the eminences,
Olympus and Evas, he advanced with his rear-guard strengthened.
On arriving at Tegea he caused all the booty to be sold; and then, marching through
Argos, arrived with his whole force at Corinth.
There ambassadors appeared from Rhodes
and Chios to negotiate a suspension of
hostilities; to whom the king gave audience,
and feigning that he was, and always had
been, quite ready to come to terms with the Aetolians, sent
them away to negotiate with the latter also; while he himself
went down to Lechaeum, and made preparations for an
embarkation, as he had an important undertaking to complete
in Phocis.
