Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 8.50

[1] Now Phrynichus, knowing that an overture was to be made at Athens for the restoring of Alcibiades and that the Athenians would embrace it, and fearing lest being recalled he should do him a mischief (in regard he had spoken against it) as one that would have hindered the same, betook himself to this course:

[2] He sends secret letters to Astyochus, the Lacedaemonian general, who was yet about Miletus, and advertised him that Alcibiades undid their affairs and was procuring the friendship of Tissaphernes for the Athenians, writing in plain terms the whole business and desiring to be excused if he rendered evil to his enemy with some disadvantage to his country.

[3] Astyochus had before this laid by the purpose of revenge against Alcibiades, especially when he was not in his own hands. And going to him to Magnesia and to Tissaphernes, related unto them what advertisement he had received from Samos, and made himself the appeacher. For he adhered, as was said, to Tissaphernes for his private lucre, both in this and in divers other matters;

[4] which was also the cause that concerning the pay, when the abatement was made, he was not so stout in opposing it as he ought to have been.

[5] Hereupon Alcibiades sendeth letters presently to those that were in office at Samos, accusing Phrynichus of what he had done and requiring to have him put to death. Phrynichus, perplexed with this discovery and brought into danger indeed, sends again to Astyochus, blaming what was past as not well concealed, and promised now to be ready to deliver unto him the whole army at Samos to be destroyed; writing from point to point (Samos being unwalled) in what manner he would do it, and saying that since his life was brought in danger, they could not blame him though he did this or any other thing rather than be destroyed by his most deadly enemies. This also Astyochus revealed unto Alcibiades.

[1] Phrynichus now saw that there would be a proposal to restore Alcibiades, and that the Athenians would consent to it; and fearing after what he had said against it that Alcibiades, if restored, would revenge himself upon him for his opposition, had recourse to the following expedient. He sent a secret letter to the Lacedaemonian admiral,

[2] Astyochus, who was still in the neighbourhood of Miletus , to tell him that Alcibiades was ruining their cause by making Tissaphernes the friend of the Athenians, and containing an express revelation of the rest of the intrigue, desiring to be excused if he sought to harm his enemy even at the expense of the interests of his country.

[3] However, Astyochus, instead of thinking of punishing Alcibiades, who, besides, no longer ventured within his reach as formerly, went up to him and Tissaphernes at Magnesia , communicated to them the letter from Samos , and turned informer, and if report may be trusted, became the paid creature of Tissaphernes, undertaking to inform him as to this and all other matters; which was also the reason why he did not remonstrate more strongly against the pay not being given in full.

[4] Upon this Alcibiades instantly sent to the authorities at Samos a letter against Phrynichus, stating what he had done, and requiring that he should be put to death.

[5] Phrynichus distracted, and placed in the utmost peril by the denunciation, sent again to Astyochus, reproaching him with having so ill kept the secret of his previous letter, and saying that he was now prepared to give them an opportunity of destroying the whole Athenian armament at Samos ; giving a detailed account of the means which he should employ, Samos being unfortified, and pleading that being in danger of his life on their account, he could not now be blamed for doing this or anything else to escape being destroyed by his mortal enemies. This also Astyochus revealed to Alcibiades.

Als nun Phrynichos erfahren hatte, daßnvegen
der!Rückberufung> des Alkibiades Anträge.gestellt'und das Volk dieselben,
genehmigen würde, so fürchtete er, jener.'möge, wenn er wirklich zurück?
gekehrt sei!, ihm, weil er gegen seine Anträge den Widerpart gehalten,
als seinem Gegner, Verderben zu bereiten suchen , weßhalb er sich,zu
folgender List wendete. Er schickte heimlich zum.Aflyochos,! dem
Lakedämonischen .Flotten-Admiral-, der damals noch bei-Milet lag,- und
schrieb ihm, daß.AtkibiadeA der Sache .der'Peloponnesier-großen
Schaden thue, indem er den Tissaphernes mit den Athenern zu
befreunden suche; und auch alles Uebrige theilte er ihm in seinem Briefe ¹
genau mit. Ihm selbst, meinte er, müsse man es wohl verzeihen, ²
wenn'er einen ihm.feindlich gesinnten Mann auch zum Nacht-heil
seiner eigenen Vaterstadt ln, Schaden zu bringen suche. - Astyochos aber
hatte keineswegs im Plan, am Alkibiades seine Rache auszulassen,
zumal er ihn auch nicht mehr so im Bereich seiner Macht hatte,
sondern er reiste zu ihm und dem Tissaphernes nach Magnesia, theilte
ihnen das. aus Samos Geschriebene mit und ward so zum Verräther,
nnd gab sich, wie man sagt, durch Geld bestochen, in die, Pflicht des
Tissaphernes, um sowohl in diesem Fall,, als auch im Uebrigen mit
ihm gemeinsame.Sache zu machen, wie er sich denn auch^,aus eben
diesem Grunde gelegentlich desSoldabzugs nur sehr schwach
widersetzt'hatte.'."AlkibiadeS aber schickte sogleich eine Anklage gegen den
Pbrynichos an die Behörden in Samos, enthüllte, was er gethan, und
verlangte'seinen.Tod. Phrynichos gerieth hierüber in die größte
Bestürzung,,da'er durch diese.Anzeige in die äußerste Gefahr kam und
schickte sogleich^eine zweite Botschaft an den Astyochos, indem er.ihn
tadelte, daß die erste nicht mit der gehörigen Sorgfalt geheim
gehalten, worden „fei. 'Dazu.schrieb er, daß ersetzt bereit sei., die'ganze
Macht der Athener auf Samos ihm in die Hände.zn liefern,'so,daß
er sie vernichten.könne, indem er im Einzelnen angab/wie die.Sache
uss Werk zu setzen sei, da Samos unbefestigt war. Und ihm selber
hürfe es^einen Tadel zuziehen, wenn er jetzt, um fein Leben aus der
Gefahr zu retten, lieber dieß und.alles Andere, thue, als von den
Händen seiner erbittertsten Feinde den^Tod zu leiden.'^ AstyochoS'aber
theilte auch dieß dem Alkibiades mit. "

L. Phrynicos, sachant que la proposition de rappeler Alcibiade allait être faite et aurait l’assentiment des Athéniens, craignit, après ce qu’il avait dit contre lui, qu’Alcibiade, une fois de retour, ne se vengeât de son opposition. Voici à peu près ce qu’il imagina; il envoya un message à Astyochos, commandant de la flotte lacédémonienne, qui n’avait pas encore quitté les environs de Milet, et lui écrivit secrètement qu’Alcibiade ruinait les affaires de Sparte en ménageant aux Athé- ¹ niens l’amitié de Tissaphernes. Il lui donnait sur tout le reste des détails exacts et s’excusait de vouloir nuire à un ennemi, même au détriment de sa patrie. Astyochos ne songea même pas à se venger d’Alcibiade, qui d’ailleurs n’était plus, comme auparavant, sous sa main. Il alla au contraire le trouver, ainsi que Tissaphernes, à Magnésie, leur communiqua à tous les deux ce qu’on lui avait mandé de Samos, et prit auprès d’eux le rôle de dénonciateur. On disait même que, dans un intérêt personnel, il s’était mis pour cette affaire et pour tout le reste à la disposition de Tissaphernes, et que c’était dans le même but qu’il ne réclamait que mollement le payement intégral du subside. Alcibiade écrivit sur-le-champ à Samos contre Phrynicos, fit connaître sa conduite aux autorités et leur demanda de le faire mourir. Phrynicos, troublé et placé dans la situation la plus critique par cette dénonciation, envoya un nouveau message à Astyochos : il lui reprochait d’avoir mal gardé le secret sur ses précédents avis, et offrait de lui livrer toute l’armée athénienne de Samos pour l’anéantir. A cela étaient joints des détails précis sur l’absence de toutes fortifications à Samos et sur les moyens d’exécution. Phrynicos ajoutait qu’exposant sa vie pour les Lacédémoniens, on ne saurait le blâmer de recourir à ce moyen ou à tout autre, plutôt que de tomber sous les coups de ses plus cruels ennemis. Astyochos fit part de cette nouvelle ouverture à Alcibiade.

Phrynichos, sachant que le rappel d’Alcibiade serait mis en avant à Athènes et probablement accepté, craignit, après l’opposition qu'il y avait faite, qu’Alcibiade, une fois de retour, ne lui en voulût pour ce motif. Il s’avisa donc d’un stratagème. Il envoya un message au navarque lacédémonien Astyocbos, alors à Milet, pour lui mander en grand secret qu’Alcibiade ruinait les affaires de Lacédémone en opérant un rapprochement entre Tissapherne et les Athéniens. Il entrait dans tous les détails, et s’excusait de poursuivre un ennemi personnel au détriment de sa patrie. Astyochos ne songea pas à tirer vengeance d’Alcibiade, qui d’ailleurs n’était plus comme auparavant sous sa main ; au contraire, il alla le trouver à Magnésie où il était avec Tissapherne, leur communiqua la lettre de Samos et prit le rôle de délateur. En même temps, il profita, dit-on, de la circonstance pour témoigner de son dévouement à Tissapherne ^en vue de son intérêt particulier. C’était déjà pour la même raison qu’il avait pris si froidement à cœur la diminution de la solde. Aussitôt Alcibiade écrivit à Samos pour dénoncer Phrynichos et demander sa mort. Phrynichos, déconcerté et fort .compromis par cette accusation, écrivit à Astyochos une seconde lettre. Il se plaignait de ce que le secret n’eût pas été mieux gardé, et offrait de lui livrer toute l’armée athénienne de Samos. La place étant ouverte, il suffisait de suivre la marche qu’il lui traçait. Phrynichos ajoutait que, risquant sa vie pour Lacédémone, il était bien excusable d’avoir recours aux derniers expédients plutôt que de tomber sous les coups de ses ennemis jurés. Astyochos communiqua pareillement cette lettre à Alcibiade.

[1] But Phrynichus, knowing that there would be a proposal for the recall of Alcibiades and that the Athenians would accept it, and also fearing, in view of the opposition he had shown in his own speech, that if Alcibiades came back he would do him injury as one who had been in his way, now had recourse to the following device.

[2] He sent to Astyochus, the Lacedaemonian admiral, who was at this time still in the neighbourhood of Miletus, secret information by letter that Alcibiades was ruining the Lacedaemonian cause by making Tissaphernes a friend of the Athenians, and also wrote an explicit account of his other doings; he added that it was pardonable in himself to devise evil for an enemy, even though this involved detriment to his state. ¹

[3] But Astyochus did not even think of punishing Alcibiades, especially as he no longer came within his reach as formerly, but going up to Magnesia to visit him and Tissaphernes he not only told them the contents of the letter he had received from Samos, himself becoming an informer, but also attached himself, as it was said, to Tissaphernes for his own private gain, both in this and in other matters; and it was for this reason that in dealing with the question of the pay, which was not being paid in full, his insistence was rather feeble.

[4] Alcibiades immediately wrote a letter against Phrynichus to the authorities at Samos, telling them what he had done and urging that he be put to death.

[5] Phrynichus was exceedingly disturbed, since he was in the very greatest danger on account of the information he had given; he accordingly wrote again to Astyochus, reproaching him because his former information had not been concealed, as in honour it should have been, and adding that now he was ready to furnish the Lacedaemonians the opportunity to destroy the whole Athenian army at Samos, stating in detail how he could do this, since Samos was without walls; it was not culpable in himself, he concluded, now that he was in danger of his life through their actions, to do this or anything else rather than perish himself at the hands of his bitterest enemies. But Astyochus gave information of this also to Alcibiades.

[1] But when Phrynichus saw that there would be a proposal for the recall of Alcibiades, and that the Athenians would accede to it, being afraid, on considering the opposite tendency of what had been maintained by himself, that if he were restored he would do him some mischief, as one who had impeded his plans, he had recourse to the following device.

[2] He sent to Astyochus the Lacedaemonian admiral, who was still in the neighbourhood of Miletus, with secret instructions that Alcibiades was ruining their cause by bringing Tissaphernes into friendship with the Athenians; expressly mentioning all the other matters also, and pleading that it was pardonable in him to devise evil against a man who was an enemy, even though it were to the detriment of the state.

[3] Now Astyochus did not so much as think of punishing Alcibiades—especially as he no longer put himself in his power as he used to do—but having gone up to him and Tissaphernes at Magnesia, at once told them the contents of the letter from Samos, acting as an informer to them, and for his own private gain devoting himself, as was said, to the interest of Tissaphernes both on these and on all other matters:

[4] for which reason also he was the more gentle in remonstrating with him respecting the pay not being given in full.

[5] Alcibiades immediately sent a letter to Samos giving information against Phrynichus to the authorities there, telling them what he had done, and requiring that he should be put to death. Phrynichus, being confounded and in the most extreme danger, sent again to Astyochus, reproaching him because his former information had not been duly kept secret, and telling him now that he was prepared to give them an opportunity of destroying the whole Athenian armament at Samos; describing the particulars of the way in which he could do it, as Samos was unfortified; and pleading that it was not now culpable in him, being, as he was, in danger of his life through them, to do this, or any thing else, rather than be destroyed by his bitterest enemies. Astyochus gave information of this also to Alcibiades.

[1] Phrynichus autem quum sciret verba de Alcibiadis reditu factum iri, Atlieniensesque eum admissuros esse, veritus ne propter ea, quae a se in contrariam sententiam dicta essent, si revertisset, se malo afficeret, quod reditum impedivisset, hujusmodi consilium comminiscitur.

[2] Mittit ad Astyochum, Lacedaemoniorum nauarchum, circa Miletum adhuc agentem, clandestinas literas, quibus significabat Alcibiadem res illorum comimpere, qui Tissaphernis amicitiam Atheniensibus conciliaret, et reliqua accurate perscribens; veniam autem sibi dandam esse dicebat, qui vel cum incommodo suae civitatis aliquid mali in hostis perniciem moliretur.

[3] Astyoclius vero Alcibiadem quidem, praesertim quod non amplius aeque, ac prius, in ipsius manus veniret, ne cogitabat quidem ulcied, sed ad eum Magnesiam profectus et ad Tissaphernem simul dixit iis res cx Samo sibi scriptas, et earum iis index existit, et, ut ferebatur, quaestus privati causa abjunxit se Tissapherni, ut et in hac re et in celeris consilia communicarent; quamobrem etiam de stipendio nondum integro minus instabat.

[4] Alcibiades autem confestim literas adversus Phrynklium Samum ad viros primarios mittit, declarans ea, quae fecerat , et postulans, ut capitis supplicio plecteretur.

[5] Phry-nichus autem perturbatus, et in maximum sane discrimen adductus ob hoc indicium, rursus ad Astyochum scribit, quum ob superius factum conquerens, quod non probe celatum esset, et nunc se paratum esse ad internecionem tradere omnem Atheniensium exercitum, qui apud Samum esset, sigillatim docens, quum Samus non esset munita, quo liaoc modo peragere possent; sibique jam invidiosum non esse, si propter illos in capitis periculum adductus, et hoc, et aliud quidvis potius fecturus esset, quam ab inimicissimis ipse perderetur. Astyoclius vero liacc quoque Alcibiadi indicat.

Conoscendo Frinico che ad Atene si terrebbe parola della tornata d’Alcibiade, e che i cittadini l’approcrebbero, e temendo per le cose dette in contrario che ritornandovi non nuocesse a lui come ad oppositore, si volge a questo compenso. Manda segretamente una lettera ad Àstioco ammiraglio de" Lacedemoni che tuttora era intorno a Mileto, significandogli come Alcibiade col render Tissaferne amico agli Ateniesi guastava le cose de’ Peloponnesi : e mettendolo al chiaro del resto degli affari lo pregava a compatirlo se si studiava di far del male ad uu nemico anche con pregiudizio della sua Repubblica. Astioco non pensò neppure a punire Alcibiade, tanto più che non avea più che far nulla con lui, siccome prima. Ma andato in Magnesia a trovar lui e Tissaferne, narra e mostra ad entrambi la lettera scrittagli da Samo ; e , come correva voce, cercò di attaccarsi a Tissaferne per privati interessi non in questa cosa sola ma in altre ancora : e però si dava poca cura degli stipendii non pagati interamenle. Ed avendo Alcibiade spedito subito una lettera ai magistrali di Samo colla quale li ragguagliava delle operazioni del loro generale, e chiedeva che fosse condannato a morte ; tro-\ossi Frinico sconcertato da quella denunzia ed in perìcolo veramente grande. Nondimeno riscrisse ad Astioco dolendosi che non avea per lo passato tenuto il segreto come doveva ; ed aggiugnerido che ora era disposto a dar nelle mani de’Peloponnesi tutto l'esercito ateniese di Samo perchè lo trucidassero. Gli esponeva poi minutamente il modo di metter ciò ad effetto, essendo Samo senza mura ; e diceva non dover essergli ascritto a delitto se dopo aver arrischiato la propria vita per colpa de’suoi, s’induceva a far questa e qualunque altra cosa, innanzi che lasciarsi manomettere dai più fieri nemici. Anche questa lettera fu da Astioco mostrata ad Alcibiade.