376 PHILOPCEMEN.

restored all Greece, as much as had been subject to Philip and the Macedonians, to liberty. After this, Titus made peace with Nabis, and Nabis was circumvented and slain b}' the ^tolians. Things being then in confusion at Sparta, Philopoemen laid hold of the occasion, and com- ing upon them with an army, prevailed with some by persuasion, with others by fear, till he brought the whole city over to the Achceans. As it was no small matter for Sparta to become a member of Achaea, this action gained him infinite praise from the Achteans, for having strength- ened their confederacy by the addition of so great and powerful a city, and not a little good-will fi'om the nobil- ity of Sparta itself, who hoped they had now procured an ally, who would defend their freedom. Accordingly, hav- ing raised a sum of one hundred and twenty silver tal- ents by the sale of the house and goods of Nabis, they decreed him the money, and sent a deputation in the name of the city to present it. But here the honesty of Philopoemen showed itself clearly to be a real, uncounter- feited virtue. For first of all, there was not a man among them who would undertake to make him this offer of a present, but every one excusing himself, and shifting it off upon his fellow, they laid the office at last on Timo- laus, with whom he had lodged at Sparta. Then Timo- laus came to Megalopolis, and was entertained b}^ Philo- poemen ; but struck into admiration with the dignity of his life and manners, and the simphcity of his habits, judg- ing him to be utterly inaccessible to any such considera- tions, he said nothing, but pretending other business, returned without a word mentioned of the present. He was sent again, and did just as formerly. But the third time with much ado, and faltering in his words, he ac- quainted Philopoemen with the good-will of the city of Sparta to him. Philopoemen listened obligingly and gladly ; and then went himself to Sparta, where he ad-