248 HISTORICAL TALES.

It was the day of the Thesmophoria, a religious
festival celebrated by women only, no men being
admitted. The Cadmeia, or citadel, had been given
to their use, and was now occupied by women alone.
It was a warm summer's day. The heat of noon
had driven the people from the streets. The Senate
of the city was in session in the portico of the agora,
or forum, but their deliberations were drowsily con-
ducted and the whole city seemed taking a noontide
siesta,

Pheebidas chose this warm noontide to put his
army in march again, rounding the walls of Thebes.
As the van passed the gates Jeontiades, who had
stolen away from the Senate and hastened on horse-
back through the deserted streets, rode up to the
Spartan commander, and bade him turn and march
inward through the gate which lay invitingly open
before him. Through the deserted streets Phebidas
and his men rapidly made their way, following the
traitor Theban, to the gates of the Cadmeia, which,
like those of the town, were thrown open to his order
as polemarch, or war governor; and the Spartans,
pouring in, soon were masters not only of the cita-
del, but of the wives and daughters of the leading

- Theban citizens as well.

The news got abroad only when it was too late to
remedy the treacherous act. The Senate heard with
consternation that their acropolis was in the hands
of their enemies, their wives captives, their city at the
mercy of the foe. Leontiades returned to his seat,
and at once gave orders for the arrest of his chief
opponent Ismenias. He had a party armed and