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letters against Cleomenes； and bitter revilings and railleries were
current on both hands； not sparing even their marriages and wives。
Hereupon Cleomenes sent a herald to declare war against the
Achaeans； and in the meantime missed very narrowly of taking Sicyon by
treachery。 Turning off at a little distance； he attacked and took
Pellene which the Achaean general abandoned； and not long after took
also Pheneus and Penteleum。 Then immediately the Argives voluntarily
joined with him； and the Philiasians received a garrison； and in short
nothing among all their new acquisitions held firm to the Achaeans。
Aratus was encompassed on every side with clamour and confusion； he
saw the whole of Peloponnesus shaking hands around him； and the cities
everywhere set in revolt by men desirous of innovations。
Indeed no place remained quiet or satisfied with the present
condition； even amongst the Sicyonians and Corinthians themselves；
many were well known to have had private conferences with Cleomenes；
who long since； out of desire to make themselves masters of their
several cities； had been discontented with the present order of
things。 Aratus； having absolute power given him to bring these to
consign punishment； executed as many of them as he could find at
Sicyon； but going about to find them out and punish them at Corinth
also； he irritated the people； already unsound in feeling and weary of
the Achaean government。 So collecting tumultuously in the temple of
Apollo； they sent for Aratus； having determined to take or kill him
before they broke out into open revolt。 He came accordingly； leading
his horse in his hand； as if he suspected nothing。 Then several
leaping up and accusing and reproaching him； with mild words and a
settled countenance he bade them sit down； and not stand crying out
upon him in a disorderly manner； desiring also； that those that were
about the door might be let in； and saying so； he stepped out quietly；
as if he would give his horse to somebody。 Clearing himself thus of
the crowd； and speaking without discomposure to the Corinthians that
he met； commanding them to go to Apollo's temple； and being now；
before they were aware； got near to the citadel； he leaped upon his
horse； and commanding Cleopater； the governor of the garrison； to have
a special care of his charge； he galloped to Sicyon； followed by
thirty of his soldiers； the rest leaving him and shifting for
themselves。 And not long after； it being known that he was fled； the
Corinthians pursued him； but not overtaking him； they immediately sent
for Cleomenes and delivered up the city to him； who； however；
thought nothing they could give was so great a gain； as was the loss
of their having let Aratus get away。 Nevertheless； being
strengthened by the accession of the people of the Acte； as it is
called； who put their towns into his hands； he proceeded to carry a
palisade and lines of circumvallation around the Acro…Corinthus。
But Aratus being arrived at Sicyon； the body of the Achaeans there
flocked to him； and； in an assembly there held； he was chosen
general with absolute power； and he took about him a guard of his
own citizens； it being now three…and…thirty years since he first
took a part in public affairs among the Achaeans； having in that
time been the chief man in credit and power of all Greece； but he
was now deserted on all hands； helpless and overpowered； drifting
about amidst the waves and danger on the shattered hulk of his
native city。 For the Aetolians； whom he applied to； declined to assist
him in his distress； and the Athenians who were well affected to him
were diverted from lending him any succour by the authority of
Euclides and Micion。 Now whereas he had a house and property in
Corinth； Cleomenes meddled not with it； nor suffered anybody else to
do so； but calling for his friends and agents； he bade them hold
themselves responsible to Aratus for everything； as to him they
would have to render their account； and privately he sent to him
Tripylus； and afterwards Megistonus； his own stepfather； to offer him；
besides several other things； a yearly pension of twelve talents；
which was twice as much as Ptolemy allowed him； for he gave him six；
and all that he demanded was to be declared commander of the Achaeans；
and together with them to have the keeping of the citadel of
Corinth。 To which Aratus returning answer that affairs were not so
properly in his power as he was in the power of them； Cleomenes；
believing this a mere evasion； immediately entered the country of
Sicyon； destroying all with fire and sword； and besieged the city
three months； whilst Aratus held firm； and was in dispute with himself
whether he should call in Antigonus upon condition of delivering up
the citadel of Corinth to him； for he would not lend him assistance
upon any other terms。
In the meantime the Achaeans assembled at Aegium； and called for
Aratus； but it was very hazardous for him to pass thither； while
Cleomenes was encamped before Sicyon； besides； the citizens
endeavoured to stop him by their entreaties； protesting that they
would not suffer him to expose himself to so evident danger； the enemy
being so near； the women； also； and children hung about him； weeping
and embracing him as their common father and defender。 But he；
having comforted and encouraged them as well as he could； got on
horseback； and being accompanied with ten of his friends and his
son； then a youth； got away to the seaside； and finding vessels
there waiting off the shore； went on board of them and sailed to
Aegium to the assembly； in which it was decreed that Antigonus
should be called in to their aid； and should have the Acro…Corinthus
delivered to him。 Aratus also sent his son to him with the other
hostages。 The Corinthians； extremely angry at this proceeding； now
plundered his property； and gave his house as a present to Cleomenes。
Antigonus being now near at hand with his army； consisting of twenty
thousand Macedonian foot and one thousand three hundred horse； Aratus；
with the members of council； went to meet him by sea； and got；
unobserved by the enemy； to Pegae； having no great confidence either
in Antigonus or the Macedonians。 For he was very sensible that his own
greatness had been made out of the losses he had caused them； and that
the first great principle of his public conduct had been hostility
to the former Antigonus。 But perceiving the necessity that was now
upon him； and the pressure of the time； that lord and master of
those we call rulers； to be inexorable； he resolved to put all to
the venture。 So soon； therefore； as Antigonus was told that Aratus was
coming up to him； he saluted the rest of the company after the
ordinary manner； but him he received at the very first approach with
especial honour； and finding him afterwards to be both good and
wise； admitted him to his nearer familiarity。 For Aratus was not
only useful to him in the management of great affairs； but
singularly agreeable also as the private companion of a king in his
recreations。 And therefore； though Antigonus was young； yet as soon as
he observed the temper of the man to be proper for a prince's
friendsh