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