Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/370

 362 PHOCION. ately despatched Nicauor to Menyllus, to succeed him in the command of the garrison, commanding him to pos- sess himself of Munychia before the news of Antipater's death should be heard ; which being done, and some days after the Athenians hearing the report of it, Phocion was taxed as privy to it before, and censured heavily for dissem- bling it, out of friendship for Nicanor. But he slighted their talk, and making it his duty to visit and confer continually with Nicanor, he succeeded in procuring his good-will and kindness for the Athenians, and induced him even to put himself to trouble and expense to seek popularity with them, by undertaking the office of pre- siding at the games. In the mean time Polysperchon, who was intrusted with the charge of the king,* to countermine Cassander, sent a letter to the city, declaring in the name of the king, that he restored them their democracy, and that the whole Athenian people were at liberty to conduct their commonwealth according to their ancient customs and constitutions. The object of these pretences was merely the overthrow of Phocion's influence, as the event mani- fested. I]or Polysperchon's design being to possess him- self of the city, he despaired altogether of bringing it to pass, whilst Phocion retained his credit ; and the most certain way to ruin him, would be again to fill the city with a crowd of disfranchised citizens, and let loose the tongues of the demagogues and common accusers. With this prospect, the Athenians were all in excite- ment, and Nicanor, wishing to confer with them on the subject, at a meeting of the Council in Piraeus, came him- son, had appointed Polysperchon, Alexander iEgus. The rescript not his own son Cassander, to sue- was in the name of Arrhidasus, ceed him, as regent, in the charge and he is the king who appears of the two kings, Arrhidaeus Phil- further on in the narrative, ip, who was imbecile, (who is the
 * Antipater, for whatever rea- king here,) and Roxana's child,