PELOPIDAS. 217

As the Thebans were retreating from Orchomenus towards Tegyr0e,the Spartans, at the same time marching from Locris, met them. As soon as they came in view, advancing through the straits, one told Pelopidas, "We are fallen into our enemy's hands ;" he replied, " And why not they into ours ? " and immediately commanded his horse to come up from the rear and charge, while he him- self drew his infantry, being three hundred in number, into a close body, hoping by that means, at whatsoever point he made the attack, to break his way through his more numerous enemies. The Spartans had two compa- nies, (the company consisting, as Ephorus states, of five hundred ; Callisthenes says seven hundred ; others, as Polybius, nine hundred ;) and their leaders, Gorgoleon and Theopompus, confident of success, advanced upon the Thebans. The charge being made with much fury, chiefly where the commanders were posted, the Spar- tan captains that engaged Pelopidas were first killed ; and those immediately around them suffering severely, the whole army was thus disheartened, and opened a lane for the Thebans, as if they desired to pass through and escape. But when Pelopidas entered, and turning against those that stood their ground, stiU went on with a bloody slaughter, an open flight ensued amongst the Spartans. The pursuit was carried- but a little way, because they feared the neighboring Orchomenians, and the reinforce- ment from Lacedsemon ; they had succeeded, however, in fighting a way through their enemies, and overpowering their whole force ; and, therefore, erecting a trophy, and spoiling the slain, they returned home extremely encour- aged with their achievements. For in all the great wars there had ever been against Greeks or barbarians, the Spartans were never before beaten by a smaller company than their own ; nor, indeed, in a set battle, when their