History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
Intrigues and Oligarchic Conspiracies explained
This chapter details the complex political maneuvers surrounding Alcibiades' attempt to return to Athens by leveraging his influence with the Persian satrap Tissaphernes.
What happens
This chapter details the complex political maneuvers surrounding Alcibiades' attempt to return to Athens by leveraging his influence with the Persian satrap Tissaphernes. Phrynichus, suspicious of Alcibiades, secretly betrays the plot to the Spartan admiral Astyochus, who in turn informs Alcibiades. Despite Phrynichus's efforts to undermine him, Alcibiades persuades Tissaphernes to favor the Athenians by advocating a strategy of letting the Greeks exhaust each other. Meanwhile, Pisander leads an embassy to Athens, convincing the demos to accept an oligarchic coup and recall Alcibiades in exchange for Persian support. Phrynichus is dismissed, and the oligarchic conspiracy gains momentum among the Athenian fleet at Samos.
Themes in this chapter
Alliance and Betrayal
Phrynichus betrays the Athenian plot to the Spartans, while Alcibiades manipulates Tissaphernes and the Athenians for personal gain, highlighting the fragility of trust.
Leadership and Strategy
Alcibiades' strategic advice to Tissaphernes to let the Greeks wear each other out demonstrates cunning statecraft, while Pisander's political maneuvering in Athens shows tactical leadership.
Democracy vs. Oligarchy
The chapter centers on the plot to replace Athenian democracy with an oligarchy, driven by the belief that this will secure Persian support and win the war.
Characters to notice
- Alcibiades
Works to persuade Tissaphernes to ally with Athens, using his influence to secure his own recall and promote oligarchic change.
- Phrynichus
Opposes Alcibiades' recall and the oligarchic plot; secretly betrays the conspiracy to the Spartans but is outmaneuvered and later dismissed.
- Tissaphernes
Persian satrap courted by both Alcibiades and the Peloponnesians; ultimately leans toward Athens after Alcibiades' persuasion.
- Astyochus
Spartan admiral who receives Phrynichus's secret letters and betrays him to Alcibiades and Tissaphernes.
- Pisander
Leads the Athenian embassy to negotiate with Tissaphernes and Alcibiades; advocates for oligarchy and the recall of Alcibiades.
- Diomedon
Appointed to replace Phrynichus as commander of the fleet; leads an attack on Rhodes.
- Leon
Appointed alongside Diomedon to command the fleet; participates in the attack on Rhodes.
Key passages
“The safety of the state, not the form of its government, is for the moment the most pressing question, as we can always change afterwards whatever we do not like.”
Pisander argues that the immediate priority is saving Athens, and the democratic constitution can be restored later if needed.
This pragmatic argument convinces the Athenian assembly to accept an oligarchic coup.
“The cheapest plan was to let the Hellenes wear each other out, at a small share of the expense and without risk to himself.”
Alcibiades advises Tissaphernes to let the Greeks exhaust themselves in war, minimizing Persian cost and risk.
This strategy reflects Alcibiades' cunning and his aim to make himself indispensable to both sides.