PELOPIDAS. 225

he studiously enlarged upon Charon's actions in hia speeches to the people, and made panegyrics on his ex- peditions and victories ; and, of the victory which the horsemen won at Plataea, before the battle at Leuctra, under Charon's command) he endeavored to make the fol- lowing sacred memorial. Androcydes, the Cyzicenian, had undertaken to paint a previous battle for the city, and was at work in Thebes ; and when the revolt began, and the war came on, the Thebans kept the picture that was then almost finished. This picture Meneclidas per- suaded them to dedicate, insci'ibed with Charon's name, designing by that means to obscure the glory of Epami- nondas and Pelopidas. This was a ludicrous piece of pretension ; to set a single victory, where only one Ge- randas, an obscure Spartan, and forty more were slain, above such numerous and important battles. This mo- tion Pelopidas opposed, as contrary to law, alleging that it was not the custom of the Thebans to honor any single man, but to attribute the victory to their country ; yet in all the contest, he extremely commended Charon, and confined himself to showing Meneclidas to be a trouble- some and envious fellow, asking the Thebans, if they had done nothing that was excellent,* .... insomuch that Men- eclidas was severely fined ; and he, being unable to pay, endeavored afterwai'ds to disturb the government. These things give us some light into Pelopidas's life. Now when Alexander, the tyrant of Pherae, made open war against some of the Thessalians, and had de- signs against all, the cities sent an embassy to Thebes, to desire succors and a general ; and Pelopidas, knowing that Epaminondas was detained by the Peloponnesian affairs, offered himself to lead the Thessalians, being unwilling to let his courage and skill lie idle, and thinking it unfit that Epaminondas should be withdrawn from his present

• Some words are probably lost Iiere.

VOL. n. 15