The Fall of the Athenian Empire-(A New History of the Peloponnesian War) Donald Kagan - (1987)

CYRUS, LYSANDER, AND THE FALL OF ALCJBIADES 307
be too readily projecting into an earlier time tbings that would happen
only later, we need not doubt that Lysander began to build a personal
clientele among these ambitious Ionian enemies of democracy. But the
Spartans had renounced all claim to the Greek cities of Asia in tbeir
treaties, and it is not clear how or if Lysander meant to keep his
promises. 60 What is important, however, is that the men he appealed
to believed him and became entbusiastic about his cause. He could
count on them to support Sparta and, even more fervendy, himself.
It did not take long for the news of tbe meeting at Sardis and its
consequences to reach tbe Athenians. When they heard that Cyrus
had arrived witb lots of money and orders to support the Spartans
vigorously and that he had agreed to raise the wages of the Spartan
rowers, they were discouraged. They decided to send ambassadors to
discuss the situation with Cyrus, using Tissaphernes as an intermediary.
61 It has been suggested that the idea was inspired by Alcibiades,
who was characteristically employing diplomatic means before resorting
to war!' Since Alcibiades was at the height of his power, it seems
unlikely that the Athenians would have taken any diplomatic action
at tbat time without his agreement. His recent ill treatment by the
former satrap notwithstanding, Alcibiades was sufficiendy dedicated
to realpolitik to make use of Tissaphernes if he could be helpful, and
the former satrap could be counted on to pursue his own interests,
whatever he might think about Alcibiades. Still, whoever recommended
this approach revealed a serious ignorance of Persian politics.
Although it may have suited their purposes to conceal the fact, Cyrus
and Tissaphernes were deadly enemies, and the former satrap at Sardis
was not the man to persuade the prince to change his policy. Tissaphernes,
nonetheless, tried to introduce the Athenian ambassadors and
urged Cyrus to adopt the old policy: to prevent any Greek state from
winning, thereby allowing them all to wear themselves out. Cyrus
ignored Tissaphernes' advice, perhaps pleased to have a chance to do
so and thereby display his independence and the impotence of the
former satrap; he refused to see the Athenians. The Athenians' attempts
to end the war by diplomacy had failed botb witb Darius and
with Cyrus. Only fighting could now bring peace.
The main target of the Athenian expedition was Lysander's fleet at
60
For an interesting discussion, see Lotze, Lysamler, IB-19.
61
Xen. 1.5.8.
62 M. Amit, Grazer Beitriige Ill (1975), 7· Cf. Lewis, Sparta and Persia, Iji, n. 134.