DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70030#0108
EPAMINONDAS. [greece.
trymen, he totally forgot his own : but he had recourse
to the liberality of the rich when a virtuous man was in
indigence—when a captive was to be released—or an in-
nocent girl was refused in marriage through want of a
fortune. His solicitations were then generally well re-
ceived, from the purity of his motives, and because he
was known to possess too much wisdom and integrity to
exact bounty for men who were undeserving of it.
Upon what principle did you send that adventurer to
me who solicited a thousand crowns ?” said, one day to
him, a haughty and very opulent citizen. “ For the
reason,” replied Epaminondas, “ that he is poor and you
are rich.”
This illustrious Theban attached himself at an early
age to Pelopidas, by those ties of friendship which pro-
ceed from a conformity of pursuits and affections. The
latter delivered Thebes from the tyranny of the Spartans
without the assistance of Epaminondas, but in all their
other achievements their dangers were mutual, and the
admiration and gratitude of their countrymen united the
names of these zealous patriots.
He saved Thebes at the battle of Leuctra,, which he
gained over the Lacedaemonians, by continuing to exer-
cise the power of a general, notwithstanding the decree
which enjoined him to enter the city. This disobedience
entailed upon him a capital punishment, and the length of
his services, far from disarming the fury of the enemies,
tended only to render it more vehement. It was incon-
ceivable by what means he could escape so serious an
accusation. He appeared in the assembly of the people,
not with the air of a person accused, but with all the
confidence of a conqueror. He did not endeavour to
trymen, he totally forgot his own : but he had recourse
to the liberality of the rich when a virtuous man was in
indigence—when a captive was to be released—or an in-
nocent girl was refused in marriage through want of a
fortune. His solicitations were then generally well re-
ceived, from the purity of his motives, and because he
was known to possess too much wisdom and integrity to
exact bounty for men who were undeserving of it.
Upon what principle did you send that adventurer to
me who solicited a thousand crowns ?” said, one day to
him, a haughty and very opulent citizen. “ For the
reason,” replied Epaminondas, “ that he is poor and you
are rich.”
This illustrious Theban attached himself at an early
age to Pelopidas, by those ties of friendship which pro-
ceed from a conformity of pursuits and affections. The
latter delivered Thebes from the tyranny of the Spartans
without the assistance of Epaminondas, but in all their
other achievements their dangers were mutual, and the
admiration and gratitude of their countrymen united the
names of these zealous patriots.
He saved Thebes at the battle of Leuctra,, which he
gained over the Lacedaemonians, by continuing to exer-
cise the power of a general, notwithstanding the decree
which enjoined him to enter the city. This disobedience
entailed upon him a capital punishment, and the length of
his services, far from disarming the fury of the enemies,
tended only to render it more vehement. It was incon-
ceivable by what means he could escape so serious an
accusation. He appeared in the assembly of the people,
not with the air of a person accused, but with all the
confidence of a conqueror. He did not endeavour to