Page "Agesilaus II" Paragraph 4

We first hear of him as king in the suppression of the conspiracy of Cinadon.

Then, in 396 BC, Agesilaus crossed into Asia with a force of 2, 000 neodamodes ( freed helots ) and 6, 000 allies ( including 30 spartiates ) to liberate Greek cities from Persian dominion.

On the eve of sailing from Aulis he attempted to offer a sacrifice, as Agamemnon had done before the Trojan expedition, but the Thebans intervened to prevent it, an insult for which he never forgave them.

On his arrival at Ephesus a three months ' truce was concluded with Tissaphernes, the satrap of Lydia and Caria, but negotiations conducted during that time proved fruitless, and on its termination Agesilaus raided Phrygia, where he easily won immense booty from the satrap Pharnabazus ; Tissaphernes could offer no assistance, as he had concentrated his troops in Caria.

In these campaigns Agesilaus also benefited from the aid of the Ten Thousand, who marched through miles of Persian territory to make it to the Black Sea.

After spending the winter organizing a cavalry force ( hippeis ), he made a successful incursion into Lydia in the spring of 395 BC.

Tithraustes was thereupon sent to replace Tissaphernes, who paid with his life for his continued failure.

An armistice was concluded between Tithraustes and Agesilaus, who left the southern satrapy and again invaded Phrygia, which he ravaged until the following spring.

He then came to an agreement with Pharnabazus and once more turned southward.