These signal services, however, far from inspiring the Lacedemonians with a greater fondness towards Alcibiades, only tended to augment their fears, and preclude their good will. As they were all sensible of the uncommon ability and prudence displayed by this great man in all matters, they now conceived apprehensions, lest the love of his country should induce him some day to abandon them, in case a reconciliation should be brought about between him and his fellow-citizens. Impressed with these ideas, the Lacedemonians now resolved to dispatch him when an opportunity should present itself. Alcibiades, whose penetration could baffle any attempt of surprise, when on his guard, soon saw through their designs, and fled for protection to Tissaphernes, one of Darius’ governors.

When he had acquired a thorough intimacy with this chief, and now saw the Athenian power reduced to a low ebb from their reverses in Sicily (whilst that of Sparta was on the rise), he opened an intercourse through the medium of commissioners with Pisander who then commanded an army near Samos, and to whom he expressed a wish of returning to Athens. Pisander was animated with the same sentiments as Alcibiades, an enemy to the overpower of the people, and an advocate for the nobles. Though he failed of success in that quarter, yet, through the influence of Thrasybulus, the son of Lycus, he was received in the army, and appointed to command at Samos, after which, and in consequence of the endeavours of Theramenes, he was recalled by an edict of the people, and invested, though yet absent, with as much authority as Thrasybulus and Theramenes themselves in the command of the army.

Under the directions of these generals affairs assumed so different an aspect, that the Lacedemonians who had hitherto proved victorious and powerful, were now intimidated to such a degree, that they sued for peace. They had now suffered five defeats by land, and three by sea, having lost in the latter two hundred thrireme gallies which fell into their enemy’s hands. Besides all this, Alcibiades, acting in conjunction with the other colleagues, had regained Ionia, the Hellespont and several other Grecian cities lying on the coast of Asia; in the recovery whereof, especially of Byzantium, he had recourse to arms; whilst the rest voluntarily surrendered on seeing the political lenity which had been used towards the vanquished. After these great exploits the three commanders returned to Athens, both they and the army being loaded with the rich spoils of conquest.