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action as to be clear and free from civil bloodshed。 He restored
eighty exiles who had been expelled by Nicocles； and no less than five
hundred who had been driven out by former tyrants and had endured a
long banishment； pretty nearly； by this time； of fifty years'
duration。 These returning； most of them very poor； were impatient to
enter upon their former possessions； and； proceeding to their
several farms and houses； gave great perplexity to Aratus； who
considered that the city without was envied for its liberty and
aimed at by Antigonus； and within was full of disorder and sedition。
Wherefore； as things stood； he thought it best to associate it to
the Achaean community； and so； although Dorians； they of their own
will took upon them the name and citizenship of the Achaeans； who at
that time had neither great repute nor much power。 For the most of
them lived in small towns； and their territory was neither large nor
fruitful； and the neighbouring sea was almost wholly without a
harbour； breaking direct upon a rocky shore。 But yet these above
others made it appear that the Grecian courage was invincible；
whensoever it could only have order and concord within itself and a
prudent general to direct it。 For though they had scarcely been
counted as any part of the ancient Grecian power； and at this time
it did not equal the strength of one ordinary city； yet by prudence
and unanimity； and because they knew not how to envy and malign； but
to obey and follow him amongst them that was most eminent for
virtue； they not only preserved their own liberty in the midst of so
many great cities； military powers； and monarchies； but went on
steadily saving and delivering from slavery great numbers of the
Greeks。
As for Aratus； he was in his behaviour a true statesman；
high…minded； and more intent upon the public than his private
concerns； a bitter hater of tyrants； making the common good the rule
and law of his friendships and enmities。 So that indeed he seems not
to have been so faithful a friend； as he was a reasonable and gentle
enemy； ready； according to the needs of the state； to suit himself
on occasion to either side； concord between nations； brotherhood
between cities； the council and the assembly unanimous in their votes；
being the objects above all other blessings to which he was
passionately devoted； backward； indeed； and diffident in the use of
arms and often force； but in effecting a purpose underhand； and
outwitting cities and potentates without observation； most politic and
dexterous。 Therefore； though he succeeded beyond hope in many
enterprises which he undertook； yet he seems to have left quite as
many unattempted； though feasible enough； for want of assurance。 For
it should seem； that as the sight of certain beasts is strong in the
night but dim by day； the tenderness of the humours of their eyes
not bearing the contact of the light； so there is also one kind of
human skill and sagacity which is easily daunted and disturbed in
actions done in the open day and before the world； and recovers all
its self…possession in secret and covert enterprises； which inequality
is occasioned in noble minds for want of philosophy； a mere wild and
uncultivated fruit of a virtue without true knowledge coming up； as
might be made out by examples。
Aratus； therefore； having associated himself and his city to the
Achaeans； served in the cavalry； and made himself much beloved by
his commanding officers for his exact obedience； for though he had
made so large an addition to the common strength as that of his own
credit and the power of his country； yet he was as ready as the most
ordinary person to be commanded by the Achaean general of the time
being； whether he were a man of Dynae； or of Tritaea； or any yet
meaner town than these。 Having also a present of five…and…twenty
talents sent him from the king； he took them but gave them all to
his fellow…citizens who wanted money； amongst other purposes； for
the redemption of those who had been taken prisoners。
But the exiles being by no means to be satisfied； disturbing
continually those that were in possession of their estates； Sicyon was
in great danger of falling into perfect desolation； so that； having no
hope left but in the kindness of Ptolemy； he resolved to sail to
him； and to beg so much money of him as might reconcile all parties。
So he set sail from Mothone beyond Malea； designing to make the direct
passage。 But the pilot not being able to keep the vessel up against
a strong wind and high waves that came in from the open sea； he was
driven from his course； and with much ado got to shore in Andros； an
enemy's land； possessed by Antigonus； who had a garrison there。 To
avoid which he immediately landed； and； leaving the ship； went up into
the country a good way from the sea； having along with him only one
friend； called Timanthes； and throwing themselves into some ground
thickly covered with wood； they had but an ill night's rest of it。 Not
long after； the commander of the troops came； and； inquiring for
Aratus； was deceived by his servants； who had been instructed to say
that he had fled at once over into the island of Euboea。 However； he
declared the ship； the property on board of her； and the servants；
to be lawful prize； and detained them accordingly。 As for Aratus；
after some few days in his extremity； by good fortune a Roman ship
happened to put in just at the spot in which he made his abode；
sometimes peeping out to seek his opportunity； sometimes keeping
close。 She was bound for Syria； but going aboard； he agreed with the
master to land him in Caria。 In which voyage he met with no less
danger on the sea than before。 From Caria being after much time
arrived in Egypt； he immediately went to the king； who had a great
kindness for him； and had received from him many presents of
drawings and paintings out of Greece。 Aratus had a very good
judgment in them； and always took care to collect and send him the
most curious and finished works； especially those of Pamphilus and
Melanthus。
For the Sicyonian pieces were still in the height of their
reputation； as being the only ones whose colours were lasting； so that
Apelles himself； even after he had become well known and admired； went
thither； and gave a talent to be admitted into the society of the
painters there； not so much to partake of their skill； which he wanted
not； but of their credit。 And accordingly Aratus； when he freed the
city； immediately took down the representations of the rest of the
tyrants； but demurred a long time about that of Aristratus； who
flourished in the time of Philip。 For this Aristratus was painted by
Melanthus and his scholars； standing by a chariot； in which a figure
of Victory was carried； Apelles himself having had a hand in it； as
Polemon the geographer reports。 It was an extraordinary piece； and
therefore Aratus was fain to spare it for the workmanship； and yet；
instigated by the hatred he bore the tyrants； commanded it to be taken
down。 But Neacles the painter； one of Aratus's friends； entreated him；
it is said； with tears in his eyes； to spare it； and； finding he did
not prevail with him； told him a