Lysander

It is true one hears it said by Lacedaemonians that Lysander wrote to the ephors thus: Athens is taken; and that the ephors wrote back to Lysander: Taken were enough; but this story was invented for its neatness’ sake.[*](To illustrate the Spartan passion for brevity of speech.) The actual decree of the ephors ran thus: This is what the Lacedaemonian authorities have decided: tear down the Piraeus and the long walls; quit all the cities and keep to your own land; if you do these things, and restore your exiles, you shall have peace, if you want it.

As regards the number of your ships, whatsoever shall be decided there, this do.[*](Cf. Xen. Hell. 2.2.20.) This edict was accepted by the Athenians, on the advice of Theramenes the son of Hagnon, who, they say, being asked at this time by Cleomenes, one of the young orators, if he dared to act and speak the contrary to Themistocles, by surrendering those walls to the Lacedaemonians which that statesman had erected in defiance of the Lacedaemonians, replied: