Xenophon wrote the Hellenica, a history of Greece after Thucydides, from the close of the Peloponnesian War through the fourth century. This is Book 7, the last. Book 6 ended at Leuctra in 371, when Thebes under Epaminondas broke Sparta’s army, a Spartan king died, and Messene in the southern Peloponnese was refounded after centuries of Spartan rule.

In the decade after, nobody holds what they won. Towns in Arcadia, the central Peloponnese, form a league and build Megalopolis to keep Sparta down. Thebes and Sparta change partners. Lycomedes of Mantinea tries to make Arcadia a third power and is murdered at Tegea. At Mantinea in 362, Epaminondas wins the battle and is struck in the chest. He asks if his shield is safe and if the enemy has fled, then has the spear drawn out. Greece is more confused than before. No city knows who rules.