Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/380

372 ASTUTENESS OF PlIRYNICHUS [vill ncsian interests. He gave full particulars, adding that Astyochus must excuse him if he sought to harm an enemy even at some cost to his country. Now Astyochus had no idea of punishing Alcibiades, who moreover no longer came within his reach. On the contrary, he went to him and to Tissaphernes at Magnesia, and, turning informer, told them of the letter which he had received from Samos. (He was believed to have sold himself to Tissaphernes, to whom he now betrayed everything ; and this was the reason why he was so unwilling to bestir himself about the reduc- tion of the pay.) Alcibiades immediately sent a despatch denouncing to the leaders of the army at Samos the treason of Phrynichus, and demanding that he should be put to death. Phrynichus was confounded <", and in fact the revel- ation placed him in the greatest danger. However he sent again to Astyochus, blaming him for having violated his former confidence. He then proceeded to say that he was ready to give the Peloponnesians the opportunity of destroying the whole Athenian army, and he explained in detail how S.imos, which was unfortified, might best be attacked ; adding that he was in danger of his life for their sakes, and that he need no longer apologise if by this or any other means he could save himself from destruction at the hands of his worst enemies. Again the message was communicated by Astyochus to Alcibiades. 51 Now Phrynichus was well aware of his treachery, and he knew that another letter from Alcib- 0/ winch he also gives . , . . ^ , . ^ informaiio,, to the ^^'^^^ S'^"g further information was JihciiHiiis. Thus he is on the point of arriving. Before its pinged 0/ his treason, arrival he himself warned the army and onlivits Alcibiades, ,1,0 1 • n 1 1 ^vho is thought to have '^at, Samos bemg unwalled and some acted from spite. of the ships not anchoring within the harbour, the enemy were going to attack the fleet ; of this he had certain knowledge. They " Cp. vi. 92 for a similar excuse. ^ Cp. viii. ^5 mcd. <^ Placing the comma after ^pvvixos.