enians recovered their dismay and prosecuted their domestic
revolution by deposing the Four Hundred and placing the whole government
in the hands of the Five Thousand, and this body was soon enlarged to that
of universal citizenship. The old constitution was restored, except that
part of it which allowed pay to the judges. Most of the oligarchal leaders
fled, and a few of them were tried and executed--those who had sought
Spartan aid. Thus this selfish movement terminated, after the oligarchy
had enjoyed a brief reign of only a few months.

(M559) While Athens was distracted by changes of government, the war was
conducted on the coasts of Asia between the belligerents with alternate
success and defeat. Abydos, connected with Miletus by colonial ties,
revolted from Athens, and Lampsacus, a neighboring town, followed its
example two days afterward. Byzantium also went over to the Lacedaemonians,
which enabled them to command the strait. Alcibiades pursued still his
double game with Persia and Athens. An Athenian fleet was sent to the
Hellespont to contend with the Lacedaemonian squadron, and gained an
incomplete victory at Cynossema, whose only effect was to encourage the
Athenians. The Persians gave substantial aid to the Lacedaemonians,
withheld for a time by the intrigues of Alcibiades, who returned to Samos,
but was shortly after seized by Tissaphernes and sent to Sardis, from
which he contrived to escape. He partially redeemed his infamy by a
victory over the Peloponnesian fleet at Cyzicus, and captured it entirely,
which disaster induced the Spartans to make overtures of peace, which were
rejected through the influence of Cleophon, the demagogue.

(M560) The Athenian fleet now reigned alone in the Propontis, the
Bosphorus, and the Hellespont, and levied toll on all the ships passing
through the straits, while Chrysopolis, opposite to Byzantium, was
occupied by Alcibiades. Athens now once more became hopeful and energetic.
Thrasyllus was sent with a large force to Ionia, and joined his forces
with the fleet which Alcibiades commanded at Sestos, but the conjoined
forces were unable to retake Abydos, which was relieved by Pharnabazus,
the Persian satrap.

(M561) The absence of the fleet from Athens encouraged the Lacedaemonians,
who retook Pylus, B.C. 409, while the Athenians captured Chalcedon, and
the following year Byzantium itself. Such was the state of the contending
parties when Cyrus the younger was sent by his