200 TERPSICHORE.

to Eacus, which may now be seen in their forum;
but notwithstanding the menace impending over
them, they were unable to defer the prosecution of
their revenge for the long period of'thirty years.

XC. Whilst they were thus preparing for revenge,
their designs were impeded by what happened at La-
cedsemon. The Spartans having discovered the in­
trigues between the Alcmoeonidae and the Pythian,
and what this last had done against the Pisistratidae
and themselves, perceived that they were involved in
a double disappointment. Without at all conciliating
the Athenians, they had expelled from (hence their
own friends and allies. They were also seriously im-
pressed by certain oracles, which taught them to ex­
pect from the Athenians many and great calamities.
Of these they were entirely ignorant, till they were
made known by Cleomenes at Sparta. Cleomenes
had discovered and seized them in the citadel of
Athens, where they had been originally deposited by
the Pisistratida;, who, on being expelled, had left
thom in the temple.

XCI. On hearing from Cleomenes the above oracu­
lar declarations, the Lacedamonians observed that
the Athenians increased in power, and were but little
inclined to remain subject to them ; they farther re­
flected, that though When oppressed by tyrants, the
people of Athens were weak and submissive, the pos­
session of liberty would not fail to make them formi­
dable rivals. In consequence of those deliberation;,
they sent for Hippias, the son of Pisistratus, from Si-
geum on the Hellespont, where the Pisistratidae had
taken refuge. On his arrival, they assembled also the
representatives of their other allies, and thus express­
ed themselves: u We confess to you, friends and allies,'
that under the impression of oracles, which deceived
us, we have greatly erred. The men who had claims
upon our kindness, and who would have rendered
Athens obedient to our will, we have banished from
their country, and have delivered that city into the
power of an ungrateful faction. Not remembering
that to us they are indebted for their liberty, they are
become insolent, and have expelled disgracefully from