II.  His appearance was not repulsive, as some think; for we can see the statue of him which exists at Delphi at this day.  The mistake of his Megarian hostess seems to have arisen from his good-nature and simplicity.  She, when she heard that the commander-in-chief of the Achaeans was coming to her house, was in a great state of excitement about the preparation of dinner, her husband happening to be away.  Meanwhile, Philopoemen entered, dressed in a coarse cloak, and she, supposing him to be a servant sent on in advance, ordered him to help her to get things ready.  He at once threw off his cloak and began to split up firewood.  While he was thus engaged his friend the master of the house came in, and seeing him, said, “What is this that you are doing, Philopoemen?” “Why,” answered he in the Doric dialect, “I am suffering for my ugly face.”  Titus, also, when jesting upon his bodily shape, said, “Philopoemen, what fine hands and legs you have; but you have no belly,” as indeed he had a very small waist.  However, the jest was directed more against his power, for though he had plenty of good infantry and cavalry he was frequently in great distress for money to pay them.  These are the common anecdotes which are current about Philopoemen.

III.  His love of distinction was not entirely unmixed with feelings of rivalry and passion.  He desired to emulate the fame of Epameinondas, but though he imitated that great man in energy, good sense, and contempt of money, yet he was unable in political struggles to maintain his calm unruffled good-nature, but was often betrayed by his fiery temper into sallies more befitting a soldier than a statesman.  Indeed, from a child he had always been fond of war, and eagerly devoted himself to soldier-like exercises, such as fighting in complete armour and riding on horseback.  He was thought to be a good wrestler, and was invited by his friends to contend with them in that sport, but he asked them whether the practice would not impair his efficiency as a soldier, when they answered truly that the body and the life of an athlete differs from that of a soldier in every respect, more particularly in diet and exercise.  The athlete takes long sleep, frequent meals, regular exercise and intervals of rest, being likely to be put out of condition by the least change of his accustomed routine, while the life of a soldier makes him accustomed to all kinds of change and diversity of life, especially to enduring hunger and want of sleep.  On learning this Philopoemen not only himself avoided wrestling and ridiculed it, but when he was in command of an army took every means in his power to bring every kind of athletic exercise into contempt, as likely to unfit the best men’s bodies for the most important struggles in battle.