the instructions of his master Conon on these
matters--who had taught him that if he acted thus all the states would
be friendly to him, whereas, if he showed any intention to enslave them,
the smallest of them would, as Conon insisted, be capable of causing
a world of trouble, and the chances were, if apprehensions were once
excited, he would find himself face to face with a coalition of united
Hellas. To these admonitions Pharnabazus lent a willing ear.

(1) Lit. "the Laconian harmosts."

(2) See Hicks, 70, "Honours to Konon," Inscript. found at Erythrae in
Ionia. Cf. Diod. xiv. 84.

Accordingly, when disembarking at Ephesus, he presented Conon with a
fleet of forty sail, (3) and having further instructed him to meet him
at Sestos, (4) set off himself by land along the coast to visit his own
provinces. For here it should be mentioned that his old enemy Dercylidas
happened to be in Abydos at the time of the sea-fight; (5) nor had he at
a later date suffered eclipse with the other governors, (6) but on
the contrary, had kept tight hold of Abydos and still preserved it in
attachment to Lacedaemon. The course he had adopted was to summon a
meeting of the Abydenians, when he made them a speech as follows: "Sirs,
to-day it is possible for you, who have before been friends to my city,
to appear as benefactors of the Lacedaemonians. For a man to prove
faithful to his friends in the heyday of their good fortune is no great
marvel; but to prove steadfast when his friends are in misfortune--that
is a service monumental for all time. But do not mistake me. It does not
follow that, because we have been defeated in a great sea-fight, we are
therefore annihilated. (7) Certainly not. Even in old days, you will
admit, when Athens was mistress of the sea, our state was not powerless
to benefit friends or chastise enemies. Moreover, in proportion as the
rest of the cities have joined hands with fortune to turn their backs
upon us, so much the more certainly will the grandeur of your fidelity
shine forth. Or, is any one haunted by the fear that we may find
ourselves blockaded by land and sea?--let him consider that at present
there is no Hellenic navy whatever on the seas, and if the barbarian
attempts to clutch the empire of the sea, Hellas will not sit by and
suffer it; so that, if only in self-defence, she must inevitably take
your side."

(3) See Diod. xiv. 83.

(4) See above, "Hell." II. i. 27 foll.

(5) See above,