380 THE LIFE OF PERICLES.
he iudged that this commandement of the Lacedse-monians was but a triall, to proue if the Athenians would grant them : and if they yeelded to them in that, then they manifestly shewed that they were the weaker. Other contrarily say, that it was done of a selfe-will and arrogancie, to shew his authentic- and power, and how he did despise the Lacedaemonians. But the shrewdest proofe of all, that bringeth best authoritie with it, is reported after this sort. Phidias the image-maker (as we haue told you before) had undertaken to make the image of Pallas : and being Pericles friend, was in great estimation about him : but that procured him many ill willers. Then they being desirous to heare by him what the people would iudge of Pericles, they intised Menon, one of the workemen that wrought vnder Phidias, and made him come into the market place to pray assurance of the people that he might openly accuse Phidias, for a fault he had committed about Pallas image. The people receiued his obedience, and his accusation was heard openly in the market place, but no mention was made of any theft at all: because that Phidias (through Pericles counsell and deuise) had from the beginning so laid on the gold vpon the image, that it might be taken off and weyed euery whit. Whereupon Pericles openly said vnto his accusers, take off the gold and wey it The glory of his works did purchase him this enuy. For he hauing grauen vpon the scutchion of the goddesse, the battell of the Amazons, had cut out the protraiture of himselfe maruellous liuely, vnder the person of an old bald ma, lifting vp a great stone with both his hands. Further, he had cut out Pericles image, excellently wrought and artificially, seeming in manner to be Pericles selfe, fighting with an Amazon in this sort: the Amazons hand being lift vp high, holdeth a dart before Pericles face, so passing cunningly