Apophthegmata Laconica
Plutarch
Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. III. Babbitt, Frank Cole, translator. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1931 (printing).
Callicratidas, an admiral, when Lysander’s friends made him a fair offer that he permit them to make away with one of their enemies and receive ten thousand pounds, although he was in sore need of money for rations for his sailors, would not consent. Cleander, who was a member of his council, said, But I would take it, if I were you. And so would I, said Callicratidas, if I were you! [*](Cf. the reply of Alexander, Moralia, 180 C (11).)
When he came to Cyrus the Younger at Sardis (who was allied with the Spartans) to get money for his fleet, on the first day he bade them send in word that he wished to have an audience with Cyrus. But when he was told that Cyrus was busy drinking, he said, I will wait till he has finished drinking. And at that time he withdrew, when he realized that it was not possible to meet Cyrus on that day, thus creating the impression that he was somewhat lacking in manners. On the succeeding day, when he was again told that Cyrus was drinking and would not come forth, he said, We must not be so eager to
get money as to do anything unworthy of Sparta, and withdrew to Ephesus, invoking many evil curses on those who were first wantonly treated by the barbarians and had taught the barbarians to be arrogant because of wealth. And he swore to the persons present that, just so soon as he should arrive at Sparta, he would do everything to bring about a reconciliation among the Greeks, that they might become more formidable to the barbarians, and cease begging them for their resources to use against one another. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Lysander, chap. vi. (436 C); Xenophon, Hellenica, i. 6. 6-7.)Being asked what kind of men the lonians were, he said, Poor freemen, but good slaves. [*](Cf. the note on Moralia, 190 F (1), supra. )
When Cyrus sent on money to pay the soldiers, and special presents for himself as a token of friendship, he took the money only and sent back the presents, saying that there was no need of any private friendship between him and Cyrus, but the general friendship which had been contracted with all the Spartans would serve also for him. [*](Cf. Moralia, 213 D (69), supra. )
As he was about to engage in the naval battle at Arginusae, Hermon the pilot said that it would be well to sail away, for the ships of the Athenians were many more in number; but Callicratidas said, And what of that? To flee is a disgrace and an injury to Sparta. No; to stay here, be it death or be it victory, is best. [*](Cf. Xenophon, Hellenica, i. 6. 32; Cicero, De officiis, i. 24 (84).)
As he offered sacrifice before the battle, and heard from the seer that the indications of the omens were victory for the army, but death for its commander, he said, not at all disconcerted, Sparta’s
fate rests not with one man. For, if I am killed, my country will not be impaired in any way; but if I yield to the enemy, it will be. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Pelopidas, chap. ii. (177 D).) And so, after appointing Cleander to take his place as commander, he put forth without delay for the naval engagement, and met his death in the battle.