366 PHILOPCEMEN.

those who were fighting in the first ranks, animated his men, and set them afire with emulation. Antigonus, after the victory, asked the Macedonians, to try them, how it happened the horse had charged without orders before the signal ? They answering, that they were against their wills forced to it by a young man of Mega- lopolis, who had fallen in before his time : " that young man," replied Antigonus, smiling, " did like an experi- enced commander." This, as was natural, brought Philopoemen into great reputation. Antigonus was earnest to have him in his service, and oiFered him very advantageous conditions, both as to command and pay. But Philopoemen, who knew that his nature brooked not to be under another, would not accept them ; yet not endui'ing to live idle, and hearing of wars in Crete, for practice' sake he passed over thither. He spent some time among those very war- like, and, at the same time, sober and temperate men, improving much by experience in all sorts of service ; and then returned with so much fame, that the Achjeans pres- ently chose him commander of the horse. These horse- men at that time had neither experience nor bravery, it being the custom to take any common horses, the first and cheapest they could procui-e, when they were to march ; and on almost all occasions they did not go them- selves, but hii'ed others in their places, and staid at home. Their former commanders winked at this, because, it being an honor among the Achaeans to serve on horseback, these men had great power in the commonwealth, and were able to gratify or molest whom they pleased. Philopoe- men, finding them in this condition, yielded not to any such considerations, nor would pass it over as formerly ; but went himself from town to town, where, speaking with the young men, one by one, he endeavored to excite a gpirit of ambition and love of honor among them, using