Upon this, while Nikias was smarting under these accusations, ambassadors arrived from Lacedaemon with instructions to propose reasonable terms, and announcing that they came with full powers to conclude the negotiations for peace on an equitable basis.  The Senate received them willingly, and next day they were to appear before the people.  Fearing that they would succeed, Alkibiades contrived to obtain a private interview with them, in which he addressed them as follows:  “What is this that you do, men of Sparta!  Do you not know that the Senate always treats those who appear before it in a kindly and reasonable manner, but the people are always full of pride and ambition?  If you say that you have plenary powers, they will bewilder you by their violence and force great concessions from you.  So come, cease this folly, if you wish to negotiate with the Athenians in a moderate way, and not to be forced into conceding points against your will.  Discuss all the points at issue, but do not say that you have full power to decide them.  I will do my best to assist you, as a friend to Lacedaemon.”  After these words he confirmed his promise by an oath, and thus completely detached them from Nikias and left them trusting him only, and admiring him as a man of remarkable sense and intelligence.  On the following day the people assembled, and the ambassadors appeared before them.  When they were politely asked by Alkibiades in what capacity they came, they said that they were not plenipotentiaries.  Immediately upon this Alkibiades assailed them with furious invective, as though they, not he, were in the wrong, calling them faithless equivocators, who had not come either to speak or to do anything honest.  The Senate was vexed at its treatment, and the people were excessively enraged, while Nikias, who knew nothing of the trick, was astounded and covered with confusion at the conduct of the ambassadors.

XV.  The Lacedaemonian alliance being put an end to by this means, Alkibiades, who was now elected one of the generals of Athens, at once formed an alliance with Argos, Elis and Mantinea.  No one approved of the way in which he effected this, but still the result was very important, as it agitated all the States in Peloponnesus, and set them against one another, brought so many men into line to fight the Lacedaemonians at the battle of Mantinea, and removed the scene of conflict so far from Athens, that the Lacedaemonians could gain no great advantage by victory, whereas if they failed, they would have to struggle for their very existence.  After this battle the select regiment at Argos, called the “Thousand,” endeavoured to overthrow the government and establish themselves as masters of the city; and with the assistance of the Lacedaemonians they destroyed the constitution.  But the people took up arms again, and defeated the usurpers; and Alkibiades coming to their aid, made the victory of the popular side more complete.  He persuaded the citizens to build long walls down