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advantage of his fleet and his superiority at sea； if he would but
have followed the examples of Maximus； Marius； Lucullus； and even
Agesilaus himself； who endured no less tumults within the city of
Sparta； when the Thebans provoked him to come out and fight in
defence of the land； and sustained in Egypt also numerous calumnies；
slanders； and suspicions on the part of the king； whom he counselled
to abstain from a battle。 And thus following always what he had
determined in his own judgment upon mature advice； by that means he
not only preserved the Egyptians against their wills； not only kept
Sparta； in those desperate convulsions； by his sole act； safe from
overthrow； but even was able to set up trophies likewise in the city
over the Thebans； having given his countrymen an occasion of being
victorious afterwards by not at first leading them out； as they
tried to force him to do； to their own destruction。 The consequence
was that in the end Agesilaus was commended by the very men； when
they found themselves saved； upon whom he had put this compulsion；
whereas Pompey； whose error had been occasioned by others； found
those his accusers whose advice had misled him。 Some indeed profess
that he was deceived by his father…in…law Scipio； who； designing to
conceal and keep to himself the greatest part of that treasure which
he had brought out of Asia； pressed Pompey to battle； upon the
pretence that there would be a want of money。 Yet admitting he was
deceived； one in his place ought not to have been so； nor should have
allowed so slight an artifice to cause the hazard of such mighty
interests。 And thus we have taken a view of each； by comparing
together their conduct and actions in war。
As to their voyages into Egypt； one steered his course thither out
of necessity in flight； the other neither honourably； nor of
necessity； but as a mercenary soldier； having enlisted himself into
the service of a barbarous nation for pay； that he might be able
afterwards to wage war upon the Greeks。 And secondly； what we charge
upon the Egyptians in the name of Pompey； the Egyptians lay to the
charge of Agesilaus。 Pompey trusted them and was betrayed and
murdered by them； Agesilaus accepted their confidence and deserted
them； transferring his aid to the very enemies who were now attacking
those whom he had been brought over to assist。
THE END