and reward their followers. Most of them on
hearing this no longer troubled him on matters of business, but
continued on the most friendly terms with him, and angered Agesilaus
more than ever by the manner in which they flocked round him in public
places and walks, showing thereby their dislike to the king. Agesilaus
now bestowed the government of cities and the conduct of important
expeditions upon various obscure soldiers, but appointed Lysander his
carver, and then in an insulting manner told the Ionians to go and pay
their court to his carver. At this Lysander determined to have an
interview with him, and there took place a short and truly Laconian
dialogue between them. Lysander said, "You know well, Agesilaus, how
to humble your friends." "Yes," answered he, "if they desire to be
greater than I am: but those who increase my power have a right to
share it." "Perhaps," said Lysander, "you have spoken better than I
have acted; however, if it be only on account of the multitude whose
eyes are upon us, I beg you to appoint me to some post in which I may
be of more use to you, and cause you less annoyance than at present."

XXIV. Upon this he was sent on a special mission to the Hellespont,
where although he was at enmity with Agesilaus, he did not neglect his
duty, but, finding that the Persian Spithridates, a man of noble birth
and commanding a considerable force, was on bad terms with
Pharnabazus, he induced him to revolt, and brought him back with him
to Agesilaus. After this Lysander was given no further share in the
conduct of the war, and after some time sailed back to Sparta in
disgrace, full of rage against Agesilaus, and hating the whole
Spartan constitution more than ever. He now determined without any
further delay to put in practice the revolutionary plans which he had
so long meditated. These were as follows:--When the descendants of
Herakles, after associating with the Dorians, returned to
Peloponnesus, their race grew and flourished at Sparta. Yet it was not
every family of the descendants of Herakles, but only the children of
Eurypon and Agis who had a right to the throne, while the others
gained no advantage from their noble birth, as all honours in the
state were given according to merit. Now Lysander, being a descendant
of Herakles, after he had gained great glory by his achievements and
obtained many friends and immense influence, could not endure that the
state should reap such great advantages fro