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It was forbidden them to be sailors and to fight on the sea. Later, however, they did engage in such battles, and, after they had made themselves masters of the sea, they again desisted, since they observed that the character of the citizens was deteriorating sadly. But they changed about again, as in all else. For example, when money was amassed for the Spartans, those who amassed it were condemned to death; for to Alcamenes and Theopompus, their kings, an oracle Cf. Leutsch and Schneidewin, Paroemiographi Graeci, i. p. 39 and i. p. 201, and the references there given; also Diodorus, viii. 12. 5, and Plutarch, Life of Agis, chap. ix. (799 b). had been given: Eager desire for money will bring the ruin of Sparta. Yet, nevertheless, when Lysander had taken Athens, he brought home much gold and silver, and they accepted it, and bestowed honours on the man.
