24. Q. About the end of the year 368 B. C., what battle was fought between the Spartans and Arkadians during the absence of Epaminondas from the Peloponnesus? A. What the Spartans called “The Tearless Battle.”
25. Q. What does Diodorus say of the slain? A. Ten thousand men were slain, without the loss of a single Lacedæmonian.
26. Q. At the instance of Pelopidas, in 366 B. C., what declaration was made by the Persian king in regard to Thebes? A. Thebes was declared the head city of Hellas, and any city refusing to admit her leadership was menaced with instant compulsion by Persian force.
27. Q. How was this declaration received by the allies of Thebes? A. They collectively refused to adhere to the royal decree.
28. Q. What occurred to Pelopidas while in the execution of his duty as envoy to Thessaly in his efforts to have the supremacy of Thebes there recognized? A. He was seized and detained as prisoner by Alexander of Pheræ.
29. Q. After he had been released through the efforts of Epaminondas, what was the result of an engagement of the forces of Pelopidas with those of Alexander of Thessaly? A. The army of Alexander was routed at the battle of Kynos Kephalæ, but Pelopidas was slain.
30. Q. About the middle of 362 B. C., for what purpose did Epaminondas march again into the Peloponnesus? A. In order to strengthen the adherents of the Thebans and to put down their numerous opponents.
31. Q. What celebrated battle was fought between the forces under Epaminondas and the allied army opposed? A. The battle of Mantineia.
32. Q. What was the result of the engagement? A. The whole army in opposition to Epaminondas was driven from the field.
33. Q. What was the fate of Epaminondas? A. He received a wound in the breast from the thrust of a spear which proved mortal.