Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

216 ATHENS SUBMITS.which under Epaminondas had humbled her at Leuctra andMantinsea, broken to pieces as if by the arm of a demigod.The Thebans were believed to be under the ban of the gods,and Alexander the favored of Olympus.The king allowed his allies, whom Thebes had for yearsoppressed, to settle the affairs of the city. Thebes was razedto the ground. Only those connected with Philip and Alexanderby ties of hospitality, and the house of Pindar thepoet, were spared. The Cadmaea was again occupied by aMacedonian garrison. Tlieban territory was parceled outamong the allies. Thus miserably perished the proud cityof Epaminondas (September, 335 b. c). Its fate, when weremember this splendid chief, evokes our compassion. Orchomenusand Plataea, which Thebes had destroyed, wererebuilt.The Athenians had gone so far towards aiding Thebes asto send forward troops to join her. These they speedily recalledon hearing of her fate.The ^tolians and Elaeans hadalso erred, but allhastened to send ambassadors to crave forgiveness.This was universally granted, no doubt quite asmuch because Alexander was anxious to set out on his expeditionto Asia as from generous motives.Though he by nomeans lacked these, Alexander always knew when and how tosupplement punishment with clemency as mere political expediency.Athens likewise sent an embassy to deprecate theking's wrath.Alexander at first demanded the surrender ofnine men who had particularly inveighed against him, includingDemosthenes ; but, on an urgent appeal from the city,wisely consented to forego this demand. He insisted only onCharidemus being exiled. This was done, and Charidemuswent into the service of King Darius, to be later executedby his new master, as we shall see. Alexander returned toMacedon in the fall.