11 - The Spartan Resurgence

Summary

WAR IN IONIA AND PERSIAN INTERVENTION

The news from Sicily was hard to accept at Athens, but when it was confirmed the people's anger fell on the orators and seers who had backed the expedition. They appointed a board of ten elderly men to deliberate on policy and prevent rash decision; but these are not seen to play much part in the next eighteen months and the division of responsibility between them and the democratic Council, which continued to meet, is far from clear; the oligarchic ring of their title, probouloi (Ar. Pol. 1299b31, 1323a7), may not be significant. Short of ships, money and men, the Athenians feared immediate assault from Syracuse and revolt among their allies; preparations were resolutely undertaken and expenses were curtailed. Greece at large expected the fall of Athens imminently. The Spartans laid down a ship-building programme for themselves and their allies, and they too thought Syracuse would soon intervene, but no western ships appeared till late in 412 (VIII.26. 1). Agis in winter 413/12 went north to collect money and hostages round the Malian Gulf, which implies that Sparta had regained control of Heraclea Trachinia (cf. p. 437 above). He was also the recipient, at Decelea, of the earliest overtures from Athenian allies, first Euboea and then Lesbos. (VIII.1–3, 5.1–2).

At Sparta envoys from Chios and Erythrae were supported by one from Tissaphernes, satrap of Sardis. He had got the satrapy after helping to suppress the revolt of the former satrap Pissuthnes (Ctesias 53), at an uncertain date.