The Rise of Rome (Penguin Classics)

by Plutarch

  17. Naturally, then, this place has always been an object of contention for every king and ruler. Antigonus’ desire to possess it, however, was animated by a yearning that came very close to being an insane passion, and so he schemed to steal it away through trickery, since there was no hope of seizing it openly and by force. At that time, the Acrocorinth belonged to Alexander,82 but when he died – poisoned, or so it was rumoured, on Antigonus’ orders – his wife, Nicaea,83 succeeded him and so came into possession of the citadel. At once Antigonus secretly sent her his son, Demetrius,84 who instilled in her sweet expectations of a royal marriage and a life joined with a handsome young man, although she was already a woman past her prime. In this way, the king snared her, using his son as a bit of bait.

  But Nicaea did not hand over the Acrocorinth. On the contrary, she continued to guard it closely. Antigonus, however, pretended not to care about this and proceeded to celebrate the wedding in Corinth, supplying shows and feasts every day, like a man overcome by pleasure and gaiety and therefore wholly given over to amusement and recreation. Then his opportunity arrived. Amoebeus85 was to sing in the theatre, and Antigonus himself escorted Nicaea to the spectacle. She was borne in a litter fitted out with regal ornaments, luxuriating in her new honour and not in the least expecting what was about to happen. When they came to the road that led up to the citadel, Antigonus gave orders that Nicaea should be carried on to the theatre, while he said his farewells to Amoebeus. He said farewell to the wedding as well, and instead rushed to the Acrocorinth, which demanded some exertion for a man of his years. He found the gate locked, but knocked with his staff and ordered it to be opened. The men inside, who were confused by this unexpected event, did as they were told. And now that he was master of the place, Antigonus could not contain himself. He revelled with delight, drinking in the streets and frolicking in the market-place; he wore garlands on his head and kept the company of flute-girls. Although he was an old man who had experienced profound changes of fortune in the course of his life, he nonetheless celebrated wildly, greeting and saluting everyone he met. Thus one observes how joy, unless tempered by reason, disturbs and unsettles the soul even more than grief or fear.

  18. Now once Antigonus had gained possession of the Acrocorinth, as I have just explained, he guarded it closely, employing men in whom he reposed great trust, and in charge of these he set Persaeus86 the philosopher. As for Aratus, he had actually begun plotting to seize the Acrocorinth while Alexander was still alive, but, after Alexander made an alliance with the Achaeans, had desisted.87 These new circumstances, however, offered him an opportunity to renew his scheming.

  In Corinth there were four brothers, of Syrian origin, one of whom, Diocles by name, was a mercenary who served in the garrison. The other three, after they had stolen some gold belonging to the king, made their way to Sicyon to see Aegias, a banker with whom Aratus also did business.88 On this occasion, with Aegias’ assistance, they disposed of a part of the gold, but the remainder was exchanged little by little, as Erginus, another of the brothers, travelled again and again to Sicyon. He soon became quite friendly with Aegias, and one day, when he had been led in conversation to the topic of the garrison, mentioned how, while going up to see his brother, he had observed a gap in the cliff’s escarpment: it was sloped and led to a place where the wall of the citadel was very low. Aegias then began to joke with him and said, ‘My dear fellow, do you steal the king’s gold in bits and pieces when you could sell an hour of your time for a great sum of money? Don’t you know that burglars and traitors alike,89 if they are caught, must expect the same death as their punishment?’ Erginus then laughed aloud, and he agreed to sound out Diocles: as for his remaining brothers, he did not trust them at all. A few days later he returned and arranged to lead Aratus to the place where the wall of the citadel was not more than 15 feet high. Furthermore, he and Diocles would cooperate in all that should follow.

  19. Aratus agreed to give the brothers 60 talents if he was successful, and, if he failed, so long as he and they survived the attempt, to give each of them a house and a single talent. The 60 talents for Erginus and his brother had to be deposited with Aegias, but Aratus had nothing like that amount of money to hand nor was he willing to risk suspicion by borrowing, so he collected most of his drinking vessels and his wife’s gold jewellery and deposited them with Aegias as security for the full sum. For Aratus was so exalted in spirit and so passionate in seeking after noble ends that, since he knew Phocion and Epaminondas90 were regarded as the best and most just of the Greeks because they turned down great gifts and refused to sacrifice their honour for money, so he decided to expend his private wealth secretly and to advance the funds needed for this enterprise – despite the danger he risked, he and he alone, for the sake of all his fellow-citizens, who were not even aware of this adventure. Who would not admire, or not even now join in striving to match, the magnanimity of such a hero, who purchased great peril at so high a price, who pledged what were considered the finest of his possessions so that by night he might make his way among his enemies and struggle for his very life, who received no security except the expectation of winning honour?

  20. Now this scheme to take the citadel was dangerous enough, but it was made more dangerous still owing to a mistake, attributable to ignorance, made at the very beginning of the enterprise. Aratus’ slave, Technon, had been sent by his master to inspect the wall with Diocles, but he had not previously met Diocles in person. Nevertheless, he believed he could recognize him because Erginus had described his appearance: he was a man with curly hair and dark complexion and was clean-shaven. It had been agreed that Technon would await Erginus and Diocles at a place just outside the city called Ornis.91 While he was waiting, the eldest brother of Erginus and Diocles happened by. His name was Dionysius and he had no part in their plan nor was he even aware of it. He bore a strong resemblance to Diocles, and Technon, misled by their similarity, asked him if he had any connection with Erginus. When Dionysius responded that they were brothers, Technon was convinced that he was speaking with Diocles and, without demanding his name or looking for any further sign of his identity, grasped his hand and began to chat with him, inquiring after the arrangements he had made with Erginus. Dionysius did not correct Technon’s mistake but instead guilefully agreed with everything he said. He began to walk back towards the city, and Technon followed, suspecting nothing and simply carrying on their conversation. They were very near the city, and Dionysius was on the point of arresting Technon, when by a sudden reversal of fortune Erginus approached. Perceiving the error and the danger, he signalled to Technon that he should flee, and they both ran off, making their escape to Aratus. He, however, was unwilling to give up hope. Instead, he immediately sent Erginus to Dionysius with gold to purchase his silence. Erginus did this, and brought Dionysius back with him to meet Aratus. As soon as he was there, they would not let him go. They bound him and kept him under guard, locked away inside Aratus’ house, while they prepared themselves for action.

  21. When everything was in readiness, Aratus ordered the rest of his troops to pass the night under arms, while he selected 400 men – few of whom knew what their real mission was to be – and led them towards the gates of Corinth that lie near the sanctuary of Hera.92 It was the middle of the summer and the moon was full, the night sky was clear and cloudless, and this raised a fear that the gleam of the weapons in the moonlight might attract the notice of the guards. But just as the first soldiers were arriving at the gate, clouds rose from the sea, shrouding the city and the places nearby in darkness. Then they all sat down and removed their shoes, for little noise is made, nor is there much slipping, when men climb ladders in their bare feet. Meanwhile, Erginus selected seven young men who disguised themselves as travellers and followed him to the gate, which they reached without attracting attention. There they killed the gatekeeper, along with the sentries posted with him. At the same time as this was happening, the ladders were raised. Aratus got a hundred men over the
wall very quickly, then, ordering the rest to follow as rapidly as possible, pulled up the ladders. As he marched his men through the city towards the citadel, Aratus was filled with joy that they had escaped detection and was confident of their success.

  At that moment there appeared in the distance four men, who were on patrol and coming towards them carrying torches. Aratus’ men were still in the shadows and remained unseen, but they could see the watchmen moving closer. Drawing back beneath the walls and buildings, they took shelter – and lay in ambush. They fell upon the men and killed three of them, but the fourth escaped, although a sword had inflicted a wound to his head, and he let out a cry that the enemy were within the gates. Soon the trumpets sounded and the city was alerted, the streets were filled with people rushing about, and everywhere there were many lights, some in the city below, others in the citadel above. A confusing clamour arose on all sides.

  22. Meanwhile, Aratus was struggling to make his way up along the cliff, but the going was slow and laborious because, since the path lay mostly amid crags that overshadowed it and there were many twists and turns as it neared the wall of the citadel, he kept straying from it. But then, we are told, something marvellous occurred. The moon parted the clouds, and in shining forth it illuminated the most difficult stretch of the path, so that Aratus was able to reach the wall at the desired location. The clouds then came together again, plunging everything into darkness.

  As for the 300 soldiers whom Aratus had left outside the gate near the temple of Hera, when they entered the city they were unable, amid so much commotion and so many searching lights, to find the same path as Aratus or follow his traces. So they huddled closely and hid themselves in the darkness of a hollow in the cliff, where they waited in great distress and unbearable anxiety. For Aratus and his men had already begun to fight and the sentries on the wall were flinging spears down at them. The combatants’ shouts rang everywhere, and their cries echoed down the sides of the cliff so that no one knew whence they originated. While the 300 remained confused about where to turn, Archelaus,93 the commander of the king’s soldiers, passed by, leading a large force towards the citadel with shouts and trumpet blasts. They were on their way to attack Aratus’ party, so the 300, just as if they had been lying in ambush, sprang forward and killed the first of the soldiers they fell upon, sowing panic among Archelaus and the rest, whom they put to flight and pursued until they were dispersed and scattered throughout the city.

  At the very moment this victory was complete, Erginus came down from the fighting above to announce that Aratus had engaged the enemy, who were defending themselves stoutly, and that along the wall a great struggle was taking place, at which their aid was needed at once. They ordered him to lead them there straightaway. As they climbed, they announced their approach with shouts that reassured their friends. The full moon made their arms gleam and, spread along the length of the path, they appeared to the enemy more numerous than they actually were. Similarly, the echoing of their voices as they cried out in the night gave a false impression of a larger force. Finally, they rejoined their comrades, repulsed the enemy, seized possession of the citadel and captured its garrison just as the day was dawning. As the sun shone down upon their success, the rest of Aratus’ army arrived from Sicyon.94 The Corinthians gladly welcomed them at the gates and helped them to round up the king’s soldiers.

  23. When everything appeared secure, Aratus descended from the citadel into the theatre, which was filled with an immense crowd who had come to see him and to hear whatever he had to say to the Corinthians. Aratus stationed his Achaean soldiers at each of the side entrances, then came forward from behind the stage to its centre, still wearing his breastplate. His face was plainly affected by weariness and loss of sleep, and the exhilaration and joy felt by his spirit were overcome by his sheer physical exhaustion. As soon as he appeared, his audience erupted in all manner of expressions of goodwill, and, since he was still holding his spear in his right hand, he bent his knee a little and inclined his body slightly so he could rest himself on his weapon.95 He stood silently in this pose for a long time as he received their applause and cheers, their praises for his valour and congratulations on his good fortune. When they stopped and became quiet, he collected himself and delivered a speech on behalf of the Achaeans that was suitable to the deed he had just performed, and he persuaded the Corinthians to join the Achaean League. He also restored the keys to the city gates, handing them over to the Corinthians for the first time since the days of Philip.96

  As for Antigonus’ officers, Aratus released Archelaus, whom he had captured, but slew Theophrastus97 because he refused to quit his post. Persaeus, as soon as the citadel was taken, had escaped to Cenchreae.98 The story is told that, at a later time, when Persaeus was enjoying a leisurely conversation, someone remarked that in his opinion only the wise man could be a good general. ‘Ah, by the gods!’ he responded, ‘there was a time when this doctrine of Zeno’s was very attractive to me as well, but I have since changed my mind, having learned my lesson from a young Sicyonian.’99 This anecdote about Persaeus is related by numerous authors.100

  24. Aratus at once seized control of the temple of Hera and of Lechaeum101 and took possession of twenty-five of the king’s ships. He sold 500 horses and 400 Syrians. The Achaeans installed a garrison of 400 men on the Acrocorinth, along with fifty guard dogs and their keepers.

  Now the Romans, in their admiration of Philopoemen, call him ‘the last of the Greeks’,102 in the sense that after him no great man appeared among the Greeks. But I would call this success of Aratus the last and latest of the Greeks’ achievements, a match for the greatest in its daring and in its fortunate outcome, as later events revealed. For Megara103 deserted Antigonus in order to attach itself to Aratus, and Troezen and Epidaurus104 both joined the Achaean League. Aratus, extending himself for the first time beyond the environs of Sicyon, invaded Attica and, crossing over to Salamis, plundered the island, employing the Achaeans’ forces just as he wished, as if they were men released from prison. Any free men he captured he returned without ransom to the Athenians, in order to give them a reason to rise in revolt.105 He made Ptolemy106 an ally of the Achaeans, and appointed him their leader in war by land or by sea. Such was his influence among the Achaeans that, inasmuch as he could not legally be elected general every year, he was instead chosen every other year, and in any case, by dint of his actions and counsel, he was always in authority. For they saw how he put nothing – not wealth, not glory, not friendship with kings, not even the advantage of his native city – before the increase of the Achaean League.107 For he recognized that the Greek cities, because they were weak individually, could preserve themselves only through mutual support, bound together – as it were – to their common advantage. For just as the parts of a body live and breathe on account of their integration into a single being, but decay and putrefy whenever they become separated and disjoined, so likewise are cities ruined by those who rupture their unity, whereas they are increased by one another whenever they become parts of a greater whole and share in a collective design.

  25. Aratus was indignant when he observed how, although the best of the surrounding cities had gained their freedom, the Argives remained enslaved. And so he decided to kill their tyrant, Aristomachus,108 for he wanted to give this city the gift of liberty, to discharge his debt for its generosity in rearing him and to attach Argos to the Achaean League. Bold men were found, resolute enough to carry out this deed, of whom Aeschylus and Charimenes109 the soothsayer were the leaders. But they lacked swords: it was forbidden to possess them, and the tyrant inflicted grave punishments on anyone who had them. Consequently, Aratus had small daggers made for them in Corinth, which he had sewn into packsaddles, and these were put on beasts of burden transporting other merchandise to Argos. Charimenes the soothsayer, however, added a new man to the conspiracy, a fellow who was unworthy to play a part in it, and for this reason Aeschylus and his followers were offended and decided to act on their o
wn, excluding Charimenes. When he learned of this, Charimenes was incensed and denounced the conspirators just as they were about to move against the tyrant. Even so, most of them managed to make their escape from the market-place and flee to Corinth.

  Not long afterwards, however, Aristomachus was murdered by his slaves. Then Aristippus110 seized power, and he was an even worse tyrant than his predecessor. Aratus called up all the Achaeans of military age and at once led them to the aid of the city, counting on the enthusiastic support of the Argives themselves.111 Most of them, however, had become habituated to their servitude and not a single man came over to his side.112 He withdrew, but he had already implicated the Achaeans in a charge of inciting war during a time of peace. Indeed, they were accused of this very action and their case was heard by the Mantineans.113 Perhaps because Aratus did not take part in these proceedings, Aristippus, who acted as plaintiff, won his case, and the Achaeans were fined 30 minas.114

  Aratus himself remained simultaneously hated and feared by the tyrant, who constantly plotted his death, scheming in which he found an ally in King Antigonus. And from nearly everywhere there appeared men who were ready to perpetrate this deed on their behalf, keeping themselves ever alert for an opportunity. There is, however, no better protection for a man in power than sincere and constant affection, for, whenever the multitude and aristocracy alike become frightened, not of their leader but on his behalf, he sees with many eyes and hears with many ears, and therefore learns of everything in advance. This observation prompts me to interrupt my narrative at this point, in order to offer an account of the sort of life led by Aristippus, for his is an illustration of the true condition of a tyrant, an office that men envy, and of anyone who possesses the majesty of absolute power, which men regard as a felicitous state worthy of celebration.