But the hardest task was yet behind, left
for Demosthenes, to draw the Thebans into this confederacy with
the rest. Their country bordered next upon Attica, they had great
forces for the war, and at that time they were accounted the best
soldiers of all Greece, but it was no easy matter to make them
break with Philip, who by many good offices, had so lately obliged
them in the Phocian war; especially considering how the subjects
of dispute and variance between the two cities were continually
renewed and exasperated by petty quarrels, arising out of the
proximity of their frontiers.
But after Philip, puffed up with his good success at Amphissa, on
a sudden surprised Elatea and possessed himself of Phocis, the
Athenians were in a great consternation, none durst venture to
rise up to speak, all were at a loss, and the whole assembly was
in silence and perplexity. In this extremity of affairs,
Demosthenes was the only man who appeared, his counsel to them
being alliance with the Thebans. And having in other ways
encouraged the people, and, as his manner was, raised their
spirits up with hopes, he, with some others was sent ambassador to
Thebes. To oppose him, as Marsyas says, Philip also sent thither
his envoys.
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