1So they abolished the rule of ten which he had set up. 1Inflamed with resentment at this, he formed a plan to do away with the kings of the Spartans. 1But he realised that he could not do this without the help of the gods, because the Spartans were accustomed to refer everything to the oracles. 2First he tried to bribe the oracle at Delphi. 2When he had been unable to do that, he made an attempt on the one at Dodona. 2Rebuffed here too, he said that he had undertaken vows which he must discharge to Jupiter Ammon, thinking that he would bribe the Africans more easily. 3When he had set out for Africa in this hope, the priests of Jupiter greatly disappointed him.
3For not only could they not be bribed, but they even sent envoys to Sparta to accuse Lysander of having tried to bribe the priests of the shrine. 4Accused on this charge and acquitted by the votes of the jurors, he was sent to help the Orchomenians and was killed by the Thebans at Haliartus. 5How rightly a different verdict would have been passed on him was shown by a speech found in his house after his death, in which he urges the Spartans to abolish the royal power and choose a leader from all the citizens to wage war, but written in such a way that it should seem to agree with the god's pronouncement, which, trusting in his money, he had not doubted he would obtain.
5Cleon of Halicarnassus is said to have written it for him.