256 HISTORICAL TALES.

tothe agora. Here a formal assembly of the Theban
people was convened, before whom Pelopidas and his
fellows appeared to tell what they had done. The
priests crowned them with wreaths, while the people
hailed them with joyful acclamations. With a single
voice they nominated Pelopidas, Mellon, and Charon
as Beotarchs,—a Theban title of authority which
had for a number of years been dropped.

Such was the hatred which the long oppression
had aroused, that the very women trod underfoot the
slain jailer, and spat upon his corpse. In that city,
where women rarely showed themselves in public,
this outburst strongly indicated the general public
rage against the overthrown despots. Messengers
hastened to Attica to carry to the exiles the glad
tidings, and soon they, with a body of Athenian
volunteers, were in joyful march for the city.

Meanwhile, the Spartans in the citadel were ina
state of distraction and alarm. All night long the
flashing of lights, the blare of trumpets, the shouts
of excited patriots, the sound of hurrying feet in the
city, had disturbed their troubled souls, and when
affrighted partisans of the defeated party came hur-
rying for safety into the Cadmeia, with tidings of
the tragic event, they were filled with confusion and
dismay. Accustomed to look to the polemarchs for
orders, the garrison did not know whom to trust
or consult. They hastily sent out messengers to
Thespia and Platea for aid, but the forces which
came to their help from these cities were charged
upon by the Thebans and driven back with loss.

What to do the Spartan commander knew not.