Pisander

Family: Athenian oligarch · First appears: Book 8 · Chapter 25 · Part 2

At Samos, Pisander joined the conspirators’ club, which chose him and others to go to Athens and seek Alcibiades’ restoration and the abolition of democracy. In Athens, he argued that a more limited government and Alcibiades’ return could secure the King’s support. The people voted to send him with ten others to negotiate with Tissaphernes and Alcibiades; Pisander also accused Phrynichus, leading to his dismissal alongside Scironides, and urged the city’s clubs to unite to overthrow the democracy.

On the voyage, Pisander and his colleagues abolished democracies in the cities along the way. At Athens, he was the chief public agent in putting down the democracy, while Antiphon had concerted the affair. The assembly ratified the new constitution without opposition, and the Four Hundred took power. After the revolution, Pisander and the other oligarchic leaders withdrew to Decelea with Alexicles.