119
And that this state of affairs was due to the valor of our ancestors has been clearly shown in the fortunes of our city: for the very moment when we were deprived of our dominion marked the beginning of a dominionFor this play of words— ἀρχή, “beginning,” and ἀρχή, “dominion”—cf. Isoc. 3.28, Isoc. 8.101, Isoc. 5.61. of ills for the Hellenes. In fact, after the disaster which befell us in the Hellespont,Battle of Aegospotami 405 B.C. when our rivals took our place as leaders, the barbarians won a naval victory,At the battle of Cnidus, but with the help of Conon. became rulers of the sea, occupied most of the islands,See Xen. Hell. 4.8.7. made a landing in Laconia, took Cythera by storm, and sailed around the whole Peloponnesus, inflicting damage as they went.
120
One may best comprehend how great is the reversal in our circumstances if he will read side by side the treatiesSee Isoc. 4.115 and note. which were made during our leadership and those which have been published recently; for he will find that in those days we were constantly setting limits to the empire of the King,Cf. Isoc. 4.118 and note. levying tribute on some of his subjects, and barring him from the sea; now, however, it is he who controls the destinies of the Hellenes, who dictatesCf. Isoc. 4.175; Xen. Hell. 6.3.9. what they must each do, and who all but sets up his viceroys in their cities.