Editing Lysander (section)

== Command in Athens ==
[[File:La mort d'Alcibiade Philippe Chéry 1791.jpg|thumb|The assassination of the exiled Athenian general [[Alcibiades]] was organized by [[Pharnabazus (5th century BC)|Pharnabazes]], at the request of Lysander.<ref name="lys-lives"/><ref name="lys-xen">[[Xenophon]], [[Hellenica]]. ([[s:Hellenica|Wikisource]]/[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1174 Gutenberg Project])</ref>]]
After storming and seizing Samos, Lysander returned to Sparta. Alcibiades, the former Athenian leader, emerged after the Spartan victory at Aegospotami and took refuge in [[Phrygia]], northwestern [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]] with [[Pharnabazus (5th century BC)|Pharnabazus]], its Persian [[satrap]]. He sought Persian assistance for the Athenians. However, the Spartans decided that Alcibiades must be removed and Lysander, with the help of Pharnabazus, arranged the assassination of Alcibiades.<ref name="lys-lives"/><ref name="lys-xen"/>

Lysander amassed a huge fortune from his victories against the Athenians and brought the riches home to Sparta. For centuries the possession of money was illegal in Lacedaemonia, but the newly minted navy required funds and Persia could not be trusted to maintain financial support. Roman historian [[Plutarch]] strongly condemns Lysander's introduction of money;<ref name="lys-lives" /> despite being publicly held, he argues its mere presence corrupted rank-and-file Spartans who witnessed their government's newfound value for it. Corruption quickly followed; while general [[Gylippus]] ferried treasure home, he embezzled a great amount and was condemned to death in absentia.