[117] Plutarch, Arat. ch. 9.

[118] Plutarch, Arat. ch. 22.

[119] Though this law was several times broken, certainly in the case of Philopoemen, and probably in that of Aratus also. It is very difficult to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement of Aratus’s seventeen generalships if the strict alternation is preserved. See Freeman’s Federal Government, p. 601.

[120] 2, [46].

[121] Plutarch, Cleomenes, 3-16.

[122] Plutarch, Cleom. 3. Messenia had been free from the Spartans since the battle of Leuctra (B.C. 371). Epaminondas had meant by the foundation of Megalopolis and Messene (B.C. 371-370) to form a united Messenian and Arcadian state as a counterpoise to Sparta. The Messenians had drifted away from this arrangement, but were now members of the Achaean league. Polyb. 4, [32].

[123] 2, [46].

[124] Plutarch, Cleom. 15.

[125] See the remarks of Plutarch, Arat. 38.

[126] He was believed to have been long in secret communication with Antigonus. Plutarch, l.c.