Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/375

 45, 46] ALCIBIADES ADVISES TISSAPHERNES 367 pay of the sailors from an Attic drachma to half a drachma % and this was only to be given at irregular intervals. Tissa- phernes was instructed by him to tell the Peloponnesians that the Athenians, with their long experience of naval affairs, gave half a drachma only, not from poverty, but lest their sailors should be demoralised by high pay, and spend their money on pleasures which injured their health, and thereby impaired their efficiency ; ^' the payment too was made irregularly, that the arrears, which they would forfeit by desertion, might be a pledge of their continuance in the service^'. He also recommended him to bribe the trierarchs and the generals of the allied cities into con- senting. They all yielded with the exception of the Syra- cusans : Hermocrates alone stood firm on behalf of the whole alliance. When the allies who had revolted came asking for money, Alcibiades drove them away himself, saying on behalf of Tissaphernes that the Chians must have lost all sense of shame ; they were the richest people in Hellas, and now, when they were being saved by foreign aid, they wanted other men, not only to risk life, but to expend money in their cause. To the other cities he replied that, having paid such large sums to the Athenians before they revolted, they would be inexcusable if they were not willing to contribute as much and even more for their own benefit. He represented further that Tissaphernes was now carrying on the war at his own expense, and must be expected to be careful. But if supplies should come from the King he would restore the full pay, and do whatever was reasonable for the cities. Alcibiades also advised Tissaphernes not to be in a 46 hurry about putting an end to the war, and neither to bring up the Phoenician fleet which he was preparing, nor to give pay to more Hellenic sailors ; he should not be so anxious to put the whole power both by sea and " About 4rf. •> Others translate (omitting ' the payment too was made irregularly '), ' also lest they should get away from their ships too freely, leaving the pay still owing them as a pledge.'