exiles[184] who were with him begged him to preside over the games, but this he refused to do, ordering them to celebrate the festival, while he took care that they did so without interruption.  After he was gone the Argives returned, and celebrated the Isthmian games over again.  Some of the winners on the former occasion now won the prize again, while others were defeated.  Agesilaus observed that the Argives by this act confessed themselves to be cowards, if they set so high a value on presiding at the games, and yet did not dare to fight for it.  With regard to such matters he used to think that a middle course was best, and he always was present at the choruses and games at Sparta, taking great interest in their management, and not even neglecting the races for boys and for girls; but of some other matters in which most men were interested he seemed to be entirely ignorant.  For instance Kallipides, who was esteemed the finest tragic actor in Greece, once met him and spoke to him, after which he swaggered along amongst his train, but finding that no notice was taken of him, he at length asked, “Do you not know me, O king?” Agesilaus at this looked carefully at him, and enquired, “Are you not Kallipides the player?” for so the Lacedaemonians name actors.  Again, when he was invited to hear some one imitate the nightingale he answered, “I have heard the original.”

Menekrates the physician, after having succeeded in curing some cases of sickness which were thought to be desperate, was given the title of Zeus, and used to use this appellation on all occasions in a foolish manner.  He even went so far as to write to Agesilaus in the following terms, “Menekrates Zeus wishes King Agesilaus health.”  To this he answered, “King Agesilaus wishes Menekrates more sense.”

XXII.  While he was encamped in the temple of Hera, near Corinth, watching the soldiers disposing of the captives which they had taken, ambassadors came from Thebes to treat for peace with him.  He always had borne a grudge against that city, and thinking that this would be a good opportunity to indulge his hatred, he pretended neither to see nor to hear them when they addressed him.  But he soon paid the penalty of his insolence; for before the Thebans left him news was brought that an entire mora had been cut to pieces by Iphikrates.  This was the greatest disaster which had befallen the Spartans for many years; for they lost a large number of brave and well-equipped citizens, all heavy-armed hoplites, and that too at the hands of mere mercenary light troops and peltasts.  On hearing this Agesilaus at first leaped up to go to their assistance; but when he heard that they were completely destroyed, he returned to the temple of Hera, and recalling the Boeotian ambassadors, bade them deliver their message.  But they now in their turn assumed a haughty demeanour, and made no mention of peace, but merely demanded leave to proceed to Corinth.  At this, Agesilaus in a rage answered, “If you wish to go there