Iphicrătes

, a celebrated general of Athens, who, though son of a shoemaker, rose from the lowest station to the highest offices in the state. He made war against the Thracians, obtained some victories over the Spartans, and a isted the Persian king against Egypt. He changed the dre and arms of his soldiers, and rendered them more alert and expeditious in using their weapons. He married a daughter of Cotys king of Thrace, by whom he had a son called Mnesteus, and died 380 B.C. When he was once reproached for the meanne of his origin, he observed that he would be the first of his family, but that his detractor would be the last of his own. Cornel i us Nepos , I phi crates .――A sculptor of Athens.――An A then i an sent to Darius  III. king of Persia, . Curtius , bk. 3 , ch. 13 .