Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/379

 49, 5o] OLIGARCHY AND THE ALLIES 37 1 about to enjoy themselves, he would be bound that the revolted cities would not return to them, and that their old allies would be not a whit more loyal in consequence. The form of government was indifferent to them if they could only be free, but they did not want to be in subjection either to an oligarchy or to a democracy. And as for the so- called nobility, the allies thought that they would be quite as troublesome as the people ; they were the persons who suggested crimes to the popular mind ; who provided the means for their execution ; and who reaped the fruits themselves. As far as it rested with the oligarchy the punishment of death would be inflicted unscrupulously, and without trial, whereas the people brought the oligarchs to their senses, and were a refuge to which the oppressed might always have recourse. Experience had taught the cities this lesson, and he was well aware of their feelings. He was therefore himself utterly dissatisfied with the proposals of Alcibiades, and disapproved of the whole affair. But the conspirators who were present were not at all 49 shaken in their opinion. They accepted 7-/,,, compiraiors me the plan and prepared to send Peisander unshaken. Pcisamler and other envoys to Athens, that they ^^"' ^ '^""'• might manage the recall of Alcibiades and the overthrow of the democracy, and finally make Tissaphernes a friend of the Athenians. Phrynichus now knew that a proposal would be made 50 for the restoration of Alcibiades, which pi„ymihns, ihinkinq the Athenians would certainly accept; to betray Alcibiades to and having opposed his return he feared ^^tyod'us, is himself A, M • , T 1 II J betrayed b them both. that Alcibiades, if he were recalled, yy^ ontuu,es to make would do him a mischief, because he treasonable pwf>osals to had stood in his way. So he had re- "'^'" ' course to the following device. He secretly sent a letter to Astyochus, the Lacedaemonian admiral, who was still at Miletus, informing him that Alcibiades was gaining over Tissaphernes to the Athenians and ruining the Pelopon-