ime States and islands. When
Athens was crippled, the decline of the other States was rapid, for they
had all exhausted themselves in the war. And the war itself has few
redeeming features. It was a wicked contest carried on by rivalry and
jealousy. And it produced, as war generally does, a class of unprincipled
men who aggrandize themselves at the expense of their country. Nothing but
war would have developed such men as Alcibiades and Lysander, and it is
difficult to say which of the two brought the greatest dishonor on their
respective States. Both were ambitious, and both hoped to gain an
ascendency incompatible with free institutions. To my mind, Alcibiades is
the worst man in Grecian history, and not only personally disgraced by the
worst vices, but his influence was disastrous on his country. Athens owed
her political degradation more to him than any other man. He was insolent,
lawless, extravagant, and unscrupulous, from his first appearance in
public life. He incited the Sicilian expedition, and caused it to end
disastrously by sending Gylippus to Syracuse. He originated the revolt of
Chios and Miletus, the fortification of Decelea, and the conspiracy of the
Four Hundred. And though he partially redeemed his treason by his three
years' services, after his exile, yet his vanity, and intrigues, and
prodigality prevented him from accomplishing what he promised. It is true
he was a man of great resources, and was never defeated either by sea or
land; "and he was the first man in every party he espoused--Athenian,
Spartan, or Persian, oligarchial or democratical, but he never inspired
confidence with any party, and all parties successively threw him off."
The end of such a man proclaims the avenging Nemesis in this world. He
died by the hands of Persian assassins at the instance of both Lysander
and Cyrus, who felt that there could be nothing settled so long as this
restless schemer lived. And he died, unlamented and unhonored, in spite of
his high birth, wealth, talents, and personal accomplishments.

(M573) Lysander was more fortunate; he gained a great ascendency in
Sparta, but his ambition proved ruinous to his country, by involving it in
those desperate wars which are yet to be presented.

CHAPTER XX.

MARCH OF CYRUS AND RETREAT OF THE TEN THOUSAND GREEKS.

(M574) The Peloponnesian war being closed, a large body of Grecian
soldiers were disbanded, but rendered venal an