Page:History of Greece Vol VIII.djvu/12

 f CONTENTS. convention concluded between them. Third convention compared with the two preceding. Loss of Oropus by Athens. Peisander and his colleagues persist in the oligarchical conspiracy, without Alkibiades. They attempt to subvert the democracy at Samos assassination of Hyperbolas and others. The democracy at Samos is sustained by the Athenian armament. The Athenian Parali defeat of the oligarchical conspiracy at Samos. The Paralns is sent to Athens with the news. Progress of the oligarchical conspiracy at Athens dextrous management of Antiphon. Language of the conspirators juggle about naming Five Thousand citizens to exercise the political franchise exclusively. Assassination of the popular speakers by Anti- phon and the oligarchical party. Return of Peisander to Athens oligarchical government established in several of the allied cities. Con- summation of the revolution at Athens last public assembly at Kolo- nus. Abolition of the GraphS Paranomon. New government proposed by Peisander oligarchy of Four Hundred. Fictitious and nominal aggregate called the Five Thousand. The Four Hundred install them- selves in the senate-house, expelling the senators by armed force. Re- marks on this revolution. Attachment to constitutional forms at Athens use made of this sentiment by Antiphon, to destroy the constitution. Demagogues the indispensable counterpoise and antithesis to the oli- garchs. Proceedings of the Four Hundred in the government. They make overtures for peace to Agis, and to the Spartans. They send envoys to the camp at Samos. First news of the revolution is conveyed to the camp by Chsereas strong sentiment in the camp against the Four Hundred. Ardent democratical manifestation, and emphatic oath, taken both by the Athenian armament at Samos and by the Samians. The Athenian democracy is reconstituted by the armament public assembly of the soldiers new generals chosen. Alkibiades opens correspondence with the democratical armament at Samos. Alkibiades comes to Samos, on the invitation of the armament. Confidence placed by the armament in his language and promises they choose him onj of their generals. New position of Alkibiades present turn of his ambition. The envoys of the Four Hundred reach Samos are indig- nantly sent back by the armament. Eagerness of the armament to sail to Peirseus is discountenanced by Alkibiades his answer to th envoys. Dissuasive advice of Alkibiades how far it is to be commend- ed as sagacious. Envoys sent from Argos to the " Athenian Demos at Samos." Return of the envoys of the Four Hundred from Samos to Athens bad prospects of the 'oligarchy. Mistrust and discord among the Four Hundred themselves. An opposition party formed under The- ramenes. Theramenes demands that the Five Thousand shall be mad a reality. Measures of Antiphon and the Four Hundred their solici tations to Sparta construction of the fort of Ectioneia, for the admission of a Spartan garrison. Unaccountable backwardness of the Lacedajmo- nians. Assassination of Phrynichus Lacedaemonian fleet hovering near Peirseus. Rising at Ath'ens against the Four Hundred demoli- tion of the new fort at Ectioneia, Decline of the Four Hundred con- cessions made by them renewal of the public assembly. Lacedsemo nian fleet threatens Peiraeus passes by to Euboca. Naval battle neai Eretria Athenians defeated Eubcea revolts. Dismay at Athens her ruin inevitable, if the Lacedaemonians had acted with energy. Th< Four Hundred are put down the democracy in substance restored. Moderation of political antipathies, and patriotic spirit, now prevalent. The Five Thousand a number never exactly realized were suou