PELOPIDAS. 215

Athenians zealously sent supplies to Thebes, and putting to eea, sailed to many places, and oflfered support and protec- tion to all those of the Greeks who were willing to revolt. The Thebans, meantime, singly, having many skir- mishes with the Spartans in Boeotia, and fighting some battles, not great indeed, but important as training and instructing them, thus had their minds raised, and their bodies inured to labor, and gained both experience and courage by these frequent encounters ; insomuch that we have it related that Antalcidas, the Spartan, said to Age- silaus, returning wounded from Boeotia, "Indeed, the Thebans have paid jou handsomely for instructing them in the art of war, against their wills." In real truth, however, Agesilaus was not their master in this, but those that prudently and opj)ortunely, as men do young dogs, set them on their enemies, and brought them safely off after they had tasted the sweets of victory and resolution. Of all those leaders, Pelopidas deserves the most honor : as after they had once chosen him general, he was every year in command as long as he lived ; either captain of the sacred band, or, what was most frequent, chief cap- tain * of Boeotia. About Plattea and Thesjaise the Spar- tans were routed and put to flight, and Phoebidas, that surprised the Cadmea, slain ; and at Tanagra a considera- ble force was worsted, and the leader f Panthoides killed. But these encounters, though they raised the victor's spirits, did not thoroughly dishearten the unsuccessful ; for there was no set battle, or regular fighting, but mere incursions on advantage, in which, according to occasion, they charged, retired again, or pursued. But the battle at Tegyrse, which seemed a prelude to Leuctra, won Pelopidas a great reputation ; for none of the other com- manders could claim any hand in the design, nor the ene- mies any show of victory. The city of the Orchomeniana • * Bceotai'ch. t Harmost.