PELOPIDAS. 227

Pelopidas, and he, being willing to interpose in the mat- ter, but having no soldiers of his own, enlisted some mer- cenaries in the country, and with them marched against Ptolemy. When they faced one another, Ptolemy cor- rupted these mercenaries with a sum of money, and per- suaded them to revolt to him; but yet, fearing the very name and reputation of Pelopidas, he came to him as his superior, submitted, beg-ged his pardon, and protested that he kept the government only for the brothers of the dead king, and would prove a friend to the friends, and an enemy to the enemies of Thebes ; and, to confirm this, he gave his son, Philoxenus, and fifty of his companions, for hostages. These Pelopidas sent to Thebes; but he himself, being vexed at the treachery of the mercenaries, and understanding that most of their goods, their wives and children, lay at Pharsalus, so that if he could take them, the injury would be sufficiently revenged, got together some of the Thessalians, and marched to Phar- salus. When he had just entered the city, Alexander, the tyrant, appeared before it with an army ; but Pelopi- das and his friends, thinking that he came to clear himself from those crimes that were laid to his charge, went to him ; and though they knew very well that he was profli- gate and cruel, yet they imagined that the authority of Thebes, and their own dignity and reputation, would se- cure them from violence. But the tyrant, seeing them come imarmed and alone, seized them, and made himself master of Pharsalus. Upon this his subjects were much intimidated, thinking that after so great and so bold an iniquity, he would spare none, but behave himself to- ward all, and in all matters, as one despairing of his life. The Thebans, when they heard of this, were very much enraged, and despatched an army, Epaminondas being then in disgrace, under the command of other leaders. When the tyrant brought Pelopidas to Pherse,