Thucydides Daily Reader

When this proposal was rejected, the Eleans made a second attempt. If the Lacedaemonians objected to restoring Lepreum, they suggested an alternative: the Lacedaemonians could ascend to the altar of Olympian Zeus—since they were so eager to access the temple—and swear an oath before all the Greeks that they would pay the fine at a later date. When this too was refused, the Lacedaemonians found themselves barred from the temple, the sacrifices, and the games, and had to perform their sacrifices at home. The Lepreans were the only other Greeks who failed to attend. Meanwhile, the Eleans feared the Lacedaemonians might attempt to sacrifice by force and posted a substantial armed guard of their young men. They were reinforced by a thousand Argives, an equal number of Mantineans, and some Athenian cavalry stationed at Harpina during the festival. The assembly was gripped by fear that the Lacedaemonians would arrive armed, particularly after an incident involving Lichas, son of Arcesilaus, a Lacedaemonian who was beaten by the officials on the racecourse. His horses had won, but since he was barred from competing, the victory was announced in the name of the Boeotian people. He then entered the course and crowned his charioteer to demonstrate that the chariot belonged to him. This episode intensified everyone's fears and strengthened expectations of a violent disruption. However, the Lacedaemonians remained peaceful and allowed the festival to conclude without incident. Following the Olympic games, the Argives and their allies traveled to Corinth to persuade them to join their alliance. They encountered Lacedaemonian envoys there, and although lengthy negotiations took place, they achieved nothing, as an earthquake struck and everyone returned to their respective cities. Summer had now ended. The following winter witnessed a battle between the Heracleots of Trachinia and the Aenianians, Dolopians, Malians, and various Thessalian tribes—all neighboring peoples hostile to the town, which posed a direct threat to their territory. Having consistently opposed and harassed Heraclea since its establishment through every available means, they now defeated the Heracleots in battle. Among the casualties was Xenares, son of Cnidis, the Lacedaemonian commander. Thus winter concluded, along with the twelfth year of the war. Following the battle, Heraclea was so severely weakened that early in the subsequent summer, the Boeotians seized control of the town and expelled the Lacedaemonian governor Agesippidas for incompetence, fearing that Athens might capture the city while Sparta was preoccupied with Peloponnesian affairs. Despite this precautionary measure, the Lacedaemonians were angered by the Boeotians' actions.