Page:History of Greece Vol VIII.djvu/34

 L 2 HISTORY OF GREECE. ators, ran so furiously the other way, that it was resolved to de- spatch Peisander and others immediately to Athens to consum- mate the oligarchical revolution as well as the recall of Alki- biades ; and at the same time to propose to the people their new intended ally, Tissaphernes. Phrynichus knew well what would be the consequence to him- self if this consummation were brought about, as he foresaw that it probably would be from the vengeance of his enemy Alkibiades against his recent opposition. Satisfied that the latter would destroy him, he took measures for destroying Alkibiades beforehand, even by a treasonable communication to the Lacedae- monian admiral Astyochus at Miletus, to whom he sent a secret account of the intrigues which the Athenian exile was carrying on at Samos to the prejudice of the Peloponnesians, prefaced with an awkward apology for this sacrifice of the interests of his country to the necessity of protecting himself against a personal enemy. But Phrynichus was imperfectly informed of the real character of the Spartan commander, or of his relations with Tissaphernes and Alkibiades. Not merely was the latter now at Magnesia, under the protection of the satrap, and out of the power of the Lacedaemonians, but Astyochus, a traitor to his duty through the gold of Tissaphernes, went up thither to show the letter of Phrynichus to the very person whom it was intended to expose. Alkibiades forthwith sent intelligence to the generals and officers at Samos, of the step taken by Phrynichus, and pressed them to put him to death. The life of Phrynichus now hung by a thread, and was prob- ably preserved only by that respect for judicial formalities so deeply rooted in the Athenian character. In the extremity of danger, he resorted to a still more subtle artifice to save himself. He despatched a second letter to Astyochus, complaining of the violation of confidence in regard to the former, but at the same time intimating that he was now willing to betray to the Laceda> monians the camp and armament at Samos. He invited Astyo- chus to come and attack the place, which was as yet unfortified, explaining minutely in what manner the attack could be best con- ducted. And he concluded by saying that this, as well as every other means of defence, must be pardoned to one whose life was in danger from a personal en2my. Foreseeing that Astyochua