123
At that time the Lacedaemonians were indignant because we thought it right by legitimate means to extend our dominion over certain peoples.As, for example, over the Ionian cities. Now, however, they feel no concern, when these peoples are reduced to such abject servitude that it is not enough that they should be forced to pay tribute and see their citadels occupied by their foes, but, in addition to these public calamities, must also in their own persons submit to greater indignities than those which are suffered in our world by purchased slavesSlaves by purchase were in worse case than slaves by capture in battle.; for none of us is so cruel to his servants as are the barbarians in punishing free men.
124
But the crowning misery is that they are compelled to take the field with the enemyThe Ionian cities were forced to fight with the Persians against Cyprus. See 134. in the very cause of slavery and to fight against men who assert their right to freedom, and to submit to hazards of war on such terms that in case of defeat they will be destroyed at once, and in case of victory they will strengthen the claims of their bondage for all time to come.
125
For these evils, who else, can we think, is to blame but the Lacedaemonians, seeing that they have so great power, yet look on with indifference while those who have placed themselves under the Lacedaemonian alliance are visited with such outrages, and while the barbarian builds up his own empire by means of the strength of the Hellenes? In former days, it is true, they used to expel tyrants and bring succor to the people, but now they have so far reversed their policy that they make war on responsible governments and aid in establishing absolute monarchies;
