Book VIII - Thrice Nine Years (Chapters XXXVIII-XLII) Summary

Chapter XXXVIII begins with an explanation of the volume of gold that Persia fed into Sparta. This enabled the Spartans to outspend Athens in every area. Sparta is able to offer more money to recruits than Athens can and is never late with their payments. This leads to defections from the Athenian navy, and much higher morale among the Spartans. At this point Jason takes over the narrative relating how Polemides' tale was interrupted by Eunice attempting to burst in to speak to Polemides. Jason presents some documents, written by the younger Pericles, they tell how Lysander refused to be brought into battle on the seas, frustrating the Athenians and draining the Athenian treasury. Alcibiades is skilled at holding together the fleet, but there are limits to even his...