History of the Peloponnesian War

But the Lacedaemonians, on their return from Argos after making the four months' truce, blamed Agis severely for not subduing Argos, when, in their judgment, the happy opportunity was such as had never been offered before; for it was not an easy matter to get together allies so many and so good.

But when the tidings came about the capture of Orchomenus also, they were far more angry, and in their wrath, contrary to their habit, at once resolved to raze his house and to fine him in the sum of ten thousand drachmas.[*](About £6,730, $32,000.)

But he besought them to do none of these things, promising that he would wipe out the charges by some brave deed when he took the field again; if not, they might then do what they wished.

So they refrained from the fine and the razing of his house, but for the present enacted a law which had no precedent among them; for they chose ten of the Spartiates as counsellors[*](Compare similar proceedings in 2.85.1; 3.69.1; 8.39.2.) for him without whose consent it was not lawful for him to lead an army out of the city.