AGIS. 459 Leonidas, since they saw such discipline and exact obedi- ence under a leader who perhaps was the youngest man in all the army. They saw also how he was himself con- tent to fare hardly, ready to undergo any labors, and not to be distinguished by pomp or richness of habit or arms from the meanest of his soldiers ; and to people in gen- eral it was an object of regard and admiration. But rich men viewed the innovation with dislike and alarm, lest haply the example might spread, and work changes to their prejudice in their own countries as well. Agis joined Aratus near the city of Corinth, where it was still a matter of debate whether or no it were expe- dient to give the enemy battle. Agis, on this occasion, showed great forwardness and resolution, yet without temerity or presumption. He declared it was his opinion they ought to fight, thereby to hinder the enemy from passing the gates of Peloponnesus, but, nevertheless, he would submit to the judgment of Aratus, not only as the elder and more experienced captain, but as he was gen- eral of the Achreans, whose forces he would not pretend to command, but was only come thither to assist them. I am not ignorant that Baton of Sinope, relates it in another manner; he says, Aratus would have fought, and that Agis was against it ; but it is certain he was mistaken, not having read what Aratus himself wrote in his own justi- fication, that knowing the people had wellnigh got in their harvest, he thought it much better to let the enemy pass, than put all to the hazard of a battle. And there- fore, giving thanks to the confederates for their readiness, he dismissed them. And Agis, not without having gained a great deal of honor, returned to Sparta, where he found the people in disorder, and a new revolution imminent, owing to the ill government of Agesilaus. For he, being now one of the ephors, and freed from the fear which formerly kept him in some restraint, forbore
