and kept them at Thebes, to show the Greeks how far the Theban policy
extended, merely through its reputation for power and for justice.

This was that Philip who afterwards endeavoured to enslave Greece; at
that time he was but a lad, and lived in the house of Pammenes. On
this account he was thought to be an imitator of Epameinondas, and
perhaps he did take to heart that great man's energy in war, which was
one of his virtues, but as to the spirit of self-restraint, justice,
magnanimity and mildness, which formed the true greatness of his
character, of this Philip neither by nature or education had the least
idea.

XXVII. After these events, the Thessalians again complained of
Alexander of Pheræ for attacking their cities, and Pelopidas and
Ismenias were sent as ambassadors to them. Pelopidas, however, brought
no army with him, as no war was expected, and was forced to make use
of the native Thessalians in this emergency. As affairs in Macedonia
had again fallen into disorder (for Ptolemy had assassinated the king,
and was in possession of the sovereignty, while the friends of the
deceased invited Pelopidas to interfere), he wished to do something;
and having no troops of his own, he hired some local mercenaries and
marched off at once against Ptolemy. When they drew near to each
other, Ptolemy by bribes induced the mercenaries to desert to himself,
but, fearing the mere name and prestige of Pelopidas, he went out to
him as though he were the more powerful of the two, and after greeting
him and begging him to be his friend, he agreed to hold the kingdom in
trust for the brothers of the deceased king, and to form a defensive
and offensive alliance with Thebes. For the fulfilment of these
conditions he gave as hostages his own son Philoxenus and fifty of his
companions, whom Pelopidas sent to Thebes, but as he was angry at the