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r a surprise； and Leontiades and Phoebidas concerted a plot to seize it。 Whilst the festival was celebrating； Phoebidas pretended to resume his march； but only made a circuit round the city walls； whilst Leontiades； stealing out of the senate； mounted his horse； and； joining the Lacedaemonian troops； conducted them towards the Cadmea。 It was a sultry summer's afternoon； so that the very streets were deserted； and Phoebidas； without encountering any opposition； seized the citadel and all the women in it； to serve as hostages for the quiet submission of the Thebans （B。C。 382）。 This treacherous act during a period of profound peace awakened the liveliest indignation throughout Greece。 Sparta herself could not venture to justify it openly； and Phoebidas was made the scape…goat of her affected displeasure。 As a sort of atonement to the violated feeling of Greece； he was censured； fined； and dismissed。 But that this was a mere farce is evident from the fact； of his subsequent restoration to command； and； however indignant the Lacedaemonians affected to appear at the act of Phoebidas； they took care to reap the fruits of it by retaining their garrison in the Cadmea。
The once haughty Thebes was now enrolled a member of the Lacedaemonian alliance； and furnished her contingentthe grateful offering of the new Theban governmentfor the war which Sparta was prosecuting with redoubled vigour against Olynthus。 This city was taken by the Lacedaemonians in B。C。 379； the Olynthian confederacy was dissolved； the Grecian cities belonging to it were compelled to join the Lacedaemonian alliance； whilst the maritime towns of Macedonia were reduced under the dominion of Amyntas； the king of Macedon。
The power of Sparta on land had now attained its greatest height。 Her unpopularity in Greece was commensurate with the extent of her harshly administered dominion。 She was leagued on all slides with the enemies of Grecian freedomwith the Persians； with Amyntas of Macedon； and with Dionysius of Syracuse。 But she had now reached the turning…point of her fortunes； and her successes； which had been earned without scruple； were soon to be followed by misfortunes and disgrace。 The first blow came from Thebes； where she had perpetrated her most signal injustice。
That city had been for three years in the hands of Leontiades and the Spartan party。 During this time great discontent had grown up among the resident citizens； and there was also the party of exasperated exiles； who had taken refuge at Athens。 Among these exiles was Pelopidas； a young man of birth and fortune； who had already distinguished himself by his disinterested patriotism and ardent character。 He now took the lead in the plans formed the the liberation of his country； and was the heart and soul of the enterprise。 His warm and generous heart was irresistibly attracted by everything great and noble； and hence he was led to form a close and intimate friendship with Epaminondas； who was several years older than himself and of a still loftier character。 Their friendship is said to have originated in a campaign in which they served together； when； Pelopidas having fallen in battle apparently dead； Epaminondas protected his body at the imminent risk of his own life。 Pelopidas afterwards endeavoured to persuade Epaminondas to share his riches with him； and when he did not succeed； he resolved to live on the same frugal fare as his great friend。 A secret correspondence was opened with his friends at Thebes； the chief of whom were Phyllidas； secretary to the polemarchs； and Charon。 The dominant faction； besides the advantage of the actual possession of power； was supported by a garrison of 1500 Lacedaemonians。 The enterprise； therefore； was one of considerable difficulty and danger。 In the execution of it Phyllidas took a leading part。 It was arranged that he should give a supper to Archias and Philippus； the two polemarchs； and after they had partaken freely of wine the conspirators were to be introduced； disguised as women； and to complete their work by the assassination of the polemarchs。 On the day before the banquet； Pelopidas； with six other exiles； arrived at Thebes from Athens； and； straggling through the gates towards dusk in the disguise of rustics and huntsmen； arrived safely at the house of Charon； where they remained concealed till the appointed hour。 While the polemarchs were at table a messenger arrived from Athens with a letter for Archias； in which the whole plot was accurately detailed。 The messenger； in accordance with his instructions； informed Archias that the letter related to matters of serious importance。 But the polemarch； completely engrossed by the pleasures of the table； thrust the letter under the pillow of his couch； exclaiming； 〃Serious matters to…morrow。〃
The hour of their fate was now ripe。 The conspirators； disguised with veils； and in the ample folds of female attire； were ushered into the room。 For men in the state of the revelers the deception was complete； but when they attempted to lift the veils from the women； their passion was rewarded by the mortal thrust of a dagger。 After thus slaying the two polemarchs； the conspirators went to the house of Leontiades whom they also despatched。
The news of the revolution soon spread abroad。 Proclamations were issued announcing that Thebes was free； and calling upon all citizens who valued their liberty to muster in the market…place。 As soon as day dawned； and the citizens became aware that they were summoned to vindicate their liberty； their joy and enthusiasm were unbounded。 For the first time since the seizure of their citadel they met in public assembly； the conspirators； being introduced； were crowned by the priests with wreaths； and thanked in the name of their country's gods； whilst the assembly； with grateful acclamation； unanimously nominated Pelopidas； Charon； and Mellon as the first restored Boeotarchs。
Meanwhile the remainder of the Theban exiles； accompanied by a body of Athenian volunteers； assembled on the frontiers of Boeotia； and； at the first news of the success of the conspiracy； hastened to Thebes to complete the revolution。 The Thebans； under their new Boeotarchs； were already mounting to the assault of the Cadmea； when the Lacedaemonians capitulated； and were allowed to march out with the honours of war。 The Athenians formed an alliance with the Thebans； and declared war against Sparta。
From this time must be dated the era of a new political combination in Greece。 Athens strained every nerve to organize a fresh confederacy。 Thebes did not scruple to enrol herself as one of its earliest members。 The basis on which the confederacy was formed closely resembled that of Delos。 The cities composing it were to be independent； and to send deputies to a congress at Athens； for the purpose of raising a common fund for the support of a naval force。 Care was taken to banish all recollections connected with the former unpopularity of the Athenian empire。 The name of the tribute was no longer PHOROS； but SYNTAXIS； or 〃contribution。〃 The confederacy； which ultimately numbered 70 cities； was chiefly organised through the exertions of Chabrias； and of Timotheus the son of