The opening of Chapter LXXVI
FROM THE PEACE OF ANTALKIDAS DOWN TO THE SUBJUGATION OF OLYNTHUS
BY SPARTA.Peace or convention of Antalkidas. Its import and character. Separate partnership between Sparta and Persia.—Degradation in the form of the convention—an edict drawn up, issued, and enforced, by Persia upon Greece.—Gradual loss of Pan-hellenic dignity, and increased submission towards Persia as a means of purchasing Persian help—on the part of Sparta.—Her first application before the Peloponnesian war; subsequent applications.—Active partnership between Sparta and Persia against Athens, after the Athenian catastrophe at Syracuse. Athens is ready to follow her example.—The Persian force aids Athens against Sparta, and breaks up her maritime empire.—No excuse for the subservience of Sparta to the Persians. Evidence that Hellenic independence was not destined to last much longer.—Promise of universal autonomy—popular to the Grecian ear—how carried out.—The Spartans never intended to grant, nor ever really granted, general autonomy.—Immediate point made against Corinth and Thebes—isolation of Athens.—Persian affairs—unavailing efforts of the Great King to reconquer Egypt.—Evagoras, despot of Salamis in Cyprus.—Descent of Evagoras—condition of the island of Cyprus.—Greek princes of Salamis are dispossessed by a Phœnician dynasty.—Evagoras dethrones the Phœnician, and becomes despot of Salamis.—Able and beneficent government of Evagoras.—His anxiety to revive Hellenism in …