[42] Of the ancient struggles which they have undergone in behalf of the Hellenes, I shall speak hereafter.[43] Now, however, I shall begin with the time when the Lacedaemonians conquered the cities of Achaea[44] and divided their territory with the Argives and the Messenians; for it is fitting to begin discussing them at this point. Now our ancestors will be seen to have preserved without ceasing the spirit of concord towards the Hellenes and of hatred towards the barbarians which they inherited from the Trojan War and to have remained steadfast in this policy.