ended on which party in the state prevailed: if the
democracy were to dominate, the whole island must fall into the hands of
Athens; if the wealthier classes, (21) into their own. Accordingly they
fitted out for them a fleet of eight vessels, and put Ecdicus in command
of it as admiral.

(20) Grote, "H. G." ix. 504; al. B.C. 391.

(21) Or, "the Lacedaemonians were not slow to perceive that the whole
island of Rhodes was destined to fall either into the hands of
Athens or of themselves, according as the democracy or the
wealthier classes respectively dominated."

At the same time they despatched another officer on board these vessels
named Diphridas, on a separate mission. His orders were to cross over
into Asia and to secure the states which had received Thibron. He was
also to pick up the survivors of Thibron's army, and with these troops,
aided by a second army which he would collect from any other quarter
open to him, he was to prosecute the war against Struthas. Diphridas
followed out his instructions, and amongst other achievements was
fortunate enough to capture Tigranes, (22) the son-in-law of Struthas,
with his wife, on their road to Sardis. The sum paid for their ransom
was so large that he at once had the wherewithal to pay his mercenaries.
Diphridas was no less attractive than his predecessor Thibron; but
he was of a more orderly temperament, steadier, and incomparably more
enterprising as a general; the secret of this superiority being that
he was a man over whom the pleasures of the body exercised no sway. He
became readily absorbed in the business before him--whatever he had to
do he did it with a will.

(22) See "Anab." VII. viii. 9 for a similar exploit.

Ecdicus having reached Cnidus, there learned that the democracy in
Rhones were entirely masters of the situation. They were dominant by
land and sea; indeed they possessed a fleet twice the size of his
own. He was therefore content to keep quiet in Cnidus until the
Lacedaemonians, perceiving that his force was too small to allow him to
benefit their friends, determined to relieve him. With this view they
ordered Teleutias to take the twelve ships which formed his squadron (at
present in the gulf adjoining Achaia and Lechaeum), (23) and to feel his
way round to Ecdicus: that officer he was to send home. For himself, he
was to undertake personally to protect the interests of all who cared to
be their friends, whilst injuring the enemy