called Peloponnesus were engaged. This bloody strife lasted twenty-eight years.

6. In the course of this war, Alcibiades made a conspicuous figure among the Athenians. He was the handsomest and most agreeable man in Athens. At one period he was greatly beloved by the people, and possessed almost unlimited power; but he was ambitious, and destitute of principle.

7. He was the cause of much trouble, not only in his native city, but all over Greece. At last, when he had lost the good will of everybody, he retired to a small village in Phrygia, in Asia Minor, and dwelt there with a woman named Timandra.

8. His enemies sent a party of assassins to murder him, and these set fire to the house in which he lived. Alcibiades was a brave man, and he rushed out, sword in hand, upon the assailants, but they stood at a distance, and pierced him through with javelins.

9. The Peloponnesian war brought great misfortunes on the Athenians. The Spartans conquered them, and burnt the city; and while this work of destruction was going forward, the victors caused music to be played.

10. The Athenians were now placed under the government of thirty Spartan captains. These were called the Thirty Tyrants of Athens; but they held their power only three years. Thrasybulus, a patriotic Athenian, then incited his countrymen to regain their freedom.

11. The thirty tyrants were expelled; and Thrasybulus was rewarded with a wreath made of two twigs of an olive tree, which, as I have before said, was esteemed a great mark of honour. Athens again became prosperous, and its former government was restored in the year 403 before the Christian era.

QUESTIONS. 1. Who were the three principal men of Athens ? What of Pericles ?- -2. Did he do anything for Athens ? Men

-3. What of the

tion the general character of the Athenians.plague ? -4. What did Pericles say on his death-bed ?— -5. What was begun three years before the death of Pericles? What of Athens and Sparta? How long did the Peloponnesian war last? What part of Greece was called Peloponnesus? Name the states included in the Peloponnesian. ANS. Arcadia, Laconia, Messenia, Elis, Argolis, Achaia, Sicyon, and Corinth. -6. What of Alcibiades? -7. What happened to him ?- -8. How did he die ? 9. What of the Peloponnesian war? Sparta ?- -10. What of the thirty tyrants? Thrasybulus ?- -11. How was he rewarded for expelling the thirty tyrants? What took place 403 years before Christ?

CHAPTER LI. EUROPE continued.-Beginning of the Theban War.

1. Not long after this period, Thebes became the most distinguished city of Greece, and was the capital of Boeotia. A war between Thebes and Sparta originated in the following manner. Phoebidas, a Spartan general, had wrongfully taken possession of Cadmæa, a fortress belonging to Thebes. The Thebans demanded that it should be given up; but the Spartans garrisoned it strongly, and resolved to hold it as their own.

2. A brave and patriotic young man of Thebes, named Pelopidas, contrived a scheme to get back the fortress. He and eleven companions put on their breastplates, and girded their swords around them, but clothed themselves in women's garments over their armour. In this garb, they went to the gate of Cadmæa, and were admitted.

3. The magistrates and Spartan officers were assembled at a splendid festival. Archias, the Spartan commander, sat at the head of the table. He and his friends were wholly occupied with the enjoyment of the banquet, and took scarcely any notice when the twelve figures in female attire entered the hall.

4. At the moment when the mirth and festivity of the Spartans was at its height, the strangers tore off their

female garb, and instead of twelve women, there stood twelve young warriors. The light of the festal torches flashed back from their bright breastplates, and their naked swords gleamed in their hands.

5. Pelopidas and his eleven companions immediately attacked the Spartan banqueters. Their surprise hindered the Spartans from making any effectual resistance, and Archias and many others were struck dead, almost before they could rise from the table.

6. Thus the Thebans gained possession of the fortress, but Sparta immediately began a war against Thebes. Many of the other states of Greece lent their assistance to the Spartans, and it appeared probable that the Thebans would be conquered and entirely ruined.

7. But they had a brave and skilful general, named Epaminondas. With only six thousand Thebans, he encountered twenty-five thousand Spartans, commanded by Cleombrotus, their king. The battle was fought at Leuctra. The Thebans gained a complete victory, and killed Cleombrotus and fourteen hundred of his men.

QUESTIONS. Direction of Thebes from Sparta? From Marathon? -1. What of Thebes? In what part of Greece was Boeotia? How did the war between Thebes and Sparta originate?- -2. What of Pelopidas? Describe the scheme of Pelopidas and his companions.- -5. Did this bold undertaking succeed? -6. What state made war upon Thebes? Other states?- -7. What of Epaminondas? His army? The Spartan force? Who was the Spartan leader? Where is Leuctra? Direction from Thebes? Sparta? Athens? Did the Thebans gain the victory?

Greek warriors, with spears, javelins, shields, and slings.

1. EPAMINONDAS, the Theban general, was one of the best men that lived in ancient times, for his private virtues were equal to his patriotism and valour. It is said of him that a falsehood was never known to come from his lips; one of the highest praises that can be bestowed on any

man.

2. It might be supposed that the Thebans would have felt the utmost gratitude towards Epaminondas, whose valour had saved his country; and it is true that the most virtuous part of the people honoured him according to his merits; but I am sorry to tell you that a great and good man is very apt to have enemies.

3. His virtues and his greatness are a reproach to the vicious and the mean, and therefore they hate him, and seek to destroy him. So it happened with Epaminondas, and so it has happened in all ages.

4. Epaminondas had many enemies among the Thebans. They at first attempted to have him sentenced to death, because he had kept the command of the army longer than the law permitted. But as his only motive had been to preserve Thebes from ruin, his judges determined to let him live.

5. Nevertheless, in order to disgrace him as much as possible, he was appointed to clean the streets of Thebes. Epaminondas was not mortified; for he knew that the Thebans might disgrace themselves by such ingratitude, but could not disgrace him. He therefore set about discharging the duties of his new office, and this great and victorious general was accordingly seen clearing away the filth from the streets.

6. But the war was not yet at an end; and the Thebans soon found that they could not do without Epaminondas. They made him throw away his broom, and take the sword again. He was placed at the head of the army, with greater power than he had possessed before.

7. So long as Epaminondas was their general, the Thebans were the most powerful people of Greece. The last victory that he gained was at Mantinea; but it cost the Thebans dear, for while Epaminondas was fighting in the thickest of the battle, a Spartan soldier thrust a javelin into his breast.

8. The Thebans and Spartans fought round the wounded Epaminondas, the latter wishing to put an end to his life, and the former to bear him from the field. The Spartans were driven back, and some of his soldiers carried Epaminondas in their arms to his tent.

9. The javelin remained sticking in the wound, for the surgeons declared that he would die the moment that it should be drawn out. Epaminondas lay in great pain; but he thought little of his own agony, and was anxious only for the success of his countrymen.

10. At last a messenger came from the battle-field, and