a position higher than that of his
equals in age, and scarcely if at all inferior to his seniors? How
different was the position of his enemies. It had been the fortune of
these, though they were known to be the same men they had always been,
to use their lately acquired power for the destruction in the first
instance of the better classes; and then, being alone left surviving, to
be accepted by their fellow-citizens in the absence of better men."

(4) Or, "collected to meet the vessels from curiosity and a desire to
see Alcibiades."

Others, however, insisted that for all their past miseries and
misfortunes Alcibiades alone was responsible: "If more trials were still
in store for the State, here was the master mischief-maker ready at his
post to precipitate them."

When the vessels came to their moorings, close to the land, Alcibiades,
from fear of his enemies, was unwilling to disembark at once. Mounting
on the quarterdeck, he scanned the multitude, (5) anxious to make
certain of the presence of his friends. Presently his eyes lit upon
Euryptolemus, the son of Peisianax, who was his cousin, and then on the
rest of his relations and other friends. Upon this he landed, and so,
in the midst of an escort ready to put down any attempt upon his person,
made his way to the city.

(5) Or, "he looked to see if his friends were there."

In the Senate and Public Assembly (6) he made speeches, defending
himself against the charge of impiety, and asserting that he had been
the victim of injustice, with other like topics, which in the present
temper of the assembly no one ventured to gainsay.

(6) Technically the "Boule" ({Boule}) or Senate, and "Ecclesia" or
Popular Assembly.

He was then formally declared leader and chief of the State, with
irresponsible powers, as being the sole individual capable of recovering
the ancient power and prestige of Athens. Armed with this authority, his
first act was to institute anew the processional march to Eleusis;
for of late years, owing to the war, the Athenians had been forced to
conduct the mysteries by sea. Now, at the head of the troops, he caused
them to be conducted once again by land. This done, his next step was
to muster an armament of one thousand five hundred heavy infantry, one
hundred and fifty cavalry, and one hundred ships; and lastly, within
three months of his return, he set sail for Andros, which had revolted
from Athens.

The generals chosen to co-oper