368 THE LIFE OF PERICLES.
trey of Evbcea did rebell, against whom he brought the army of the Athenians. And suddenly in the necke of that, came newes from another coast, that the Megarians also were in armes against them : and how they were already entered into the country of Attica with a great army, led by Plistonax King of Lacedsemon. This occasion drew him homeward againe, and so he marched backe with speed into his country, to make preparation to encounter his enemies, that were already entred into the territories of Attica. He durst not offer them battel, being so great a number of valiant soldiers : but hearing that king Plistonax was yet but a yong man, and was ruled altogether by Cleandrides counsell and direction (whom the Ephores had placed about him to counsell and direct him) he sought priuily to corrupt Cleandrides. When he had won him soone with his money, he perswaded him to draw backe the Peloponnesians out of their countrey of Attica: and so he did. But when the Lacedaemonians saw their army cassed, and that the people were gone their way, euery man to his owne city or towne, they were so mad at it, that the king was condemned in a great sum. The king being unable to answer his fine, which was so extreme great, he was driuen to absent himselfe from Lace-dsemon. Cleandrides on the other side, if he had not fled in time, euen for spite had bene condemned to death. This Cleandrides was Gylippus father, that afterwards ouercame the Athenians in Sicilia, in whom it seemed nature bred couetousnes, as a disease inheritable by succession from the father to the son. For he being shamefully conuicted also, for certaine vile parts he had plaid, was likewise banished from Sparta: as we haue more amply declared in the life of Ly-sander. And Pericles deliuering vp the account of his charge, and setting downe an article of the ex-pence of tenne talents he had employed; or should