Chapter LXXIII

AGESILAUS KING OF SPARTA.—THE CORINTHIAN WAR.

Triumphant position of Sparta at the close of the
war—introduction of a large sum of gold and silver by
Lysander—opposed by some of the Ephors.—The introduction of money
was only one among a large train of corrupting circumstances
which then became operative on Sparta.—Contrast between
Sparta in 432 B.C., and Sparta after 404 B.C.—Increase of
peculation, inequality, and discontent at Sparta.—Testimonies
of Isokrates and Xenophon to the change of character and habits
at Sparta.—Power of Lysander—his arrogance and ambitious
projects—flattery lavished upon him by sophists and poets.—Real
position of the kings at Sparta.—His intrigues to make himself
king at Sparta—he tries in vain to move the oracles in his
favor—scheme laid for the production of sacred documents, as
yet lying hidden, by a son of Apollo.—His aim at the kingship
fails—nevertheless he still retains prodigious influence at
Sparta.—Death of Agis, king of Sparta—doubt as to the legitimacy
of his son Leotychides. Agesilaus, seconded by Lysander,
aspires to the throne.—Character of Agesilaus.—Conflicting
pretensions of Agesilaus and Leotychides.—Objection taken against
Agesilaus on the ground of his lameness,—oracle produced by
Diopeithes—eluded by the interpretation of Lysander.—Agesilaus
is preferred as king—suspicions which always remained attached
to Lysander’s interpretation.—Popular conduct of Agesilaus—he
conciliates the ephors—his great influence at Sparta—his energy,
combined with unscrupulous partisanship.—Dangerous conspiracy at
Sparta—terror-striking sacrifices.—Character and position of the
chief conspirator Kinadon—state of parties at Sparta—increasing
number of malcontents.—Police of the ephors—information
laid before them.—Wide-spread discontent reckoned upon by
the conspirators.—Alarm of the ephors—their manœuvres for
apprehending Kinadon privately.—Kinadon is seized, interrogated,
and executed—his accomplices are arrested, and the conspiracy
broken up.—Dangerous discontent indicated at Sparta.—Proceedings
of Derkyllidas and Pharnabazus in Asia.—Persian preparations
for reviving the maritime war against Sparta—renewed activity
of Konon.—Agesilaus is sent with a land-force to Asia,
accompanied by Lysander.—Large plans of Agesilaus, for
conquest in the interior of Asia.—General willingness of
the Spartan allies to serve in the expedition, but refusal
from Thebes, Corinth, and Athens.—Agesilaus compares himself
with Agamemnon—goes to sacrifice at Aulis—is contemptuously
hindered by the Thebans.—Arrival of Agesilaus at Ephesus—he
concludes a fresh armistice with Tissaphernes.—Arrogant
behavior and overweening ascendency of Lysander—offensive to
the army and to Agesilaus.—Agesilaus humbles and degrades
Lysander, who asks to be sent away.—Lysander is sent to command
at the Hellespont—his valuable service there.—Tissaphernes
breaks the truce with Agesilaus, who makes war upon him and
Pharnabazus—he retires for the purpose of organizing a force
of cavalry.—Agesilaus indifferent to money for himself, but
eager in enriching his friends.—His humanity towards captives
and deserted children.—Spartan side of his character—exposure
of naked prisoners—different practice of Asiatics and
Greeks.—Efforts of Agesilaus to train his army, and to procure
cavalry.—Agesilaus renews the war against Tissaphernes, and
gains a victory near Sardis.—Artaxerxes causes Tissaphernes to
be put to death and superseded by Tithraustes.—Negotiations
between the new satrap and Agesilaus—the satraps in Asia Minor
hostile to each other.—Commencement of action at sea against
Sparta—the Athenian Konon, assisted by Persian ships and money,
commands a fleet of eighty sail on the coast of Karia.—Rhodes
revolts from the Spartan empire—Konon captures an Egyptian
corn-fleet at Rhodes.—Anxiety of the Lacedæmonians—Agesilaus
is appointed to command at sea as well as on land.—Severity
of the Lacedæmonians towards the Rhodian Dorieus—contrast of
the former treatment of the same man by Athens.—Sentiment of a
multitude compared with that of individuals.—Efforts of Agesilaus
to augment the fleet—he names Peisander admiral.—Operations
of Agesilaus against Pharnabazus.—He lays waste the residence
of the satrap, and surprises his camp—offence given to
Spithridates.—Personal conference between Agesilaus and
Pharnabazus.—Friendship established between Agesilaus and the son
of Pharnabazus—character of Agesilaus.—Promising position and
large preparations for Asiatic land-warfare, of Agesilaus—he is
recalled with his army to Peloponnesus.—Efforts and proceedings
of Konon in command of the Persian fleet—his personal visit to
the Persian court.—Pharnabazus is named admiral jointly with
Konon.—Battle of Knidus—complete defeat of the Lacedæmonian
fleet—death of Peisander the admiral. 230-283