Page:History of Greece Vol VIII.djvu/259

 OLIGARCHICAL BOARD OF TIIlKlf. 2J? and others whom we do not know, but of whom probably several had also been exiles or members of the Four Hundred. 1 Though this was a complete abrogation of the constitution, yet so con- scious were the conspirators of their own strength, that they did not deem it necessary to propose the formal suspension of the graphe paranomon, as had been done prior to the installation of the former oligarchy. Still, notwithstanding the seizure of the leaders and the general intimidation prevalent, a loud murmur of repugnance was heard in the assembly at the motion of Drakon- tides. But Theramenes rose up to defy the murmur, telling the assembly that the proposition numbered many partisans even among the citizens themselves, and that it had, besides, the ap- probation of Lysander and the Lacedaemonians. This was pres- ently confirmed by Lysander himself, who addressed the assembly in person. He told them, in a menacing and contemptuous tone, that Athens was now at his mercy, since the walls had not been demolished before the day specified, and consequently the conditions of the promised peace had been violated. He added that, if they did not adopt the recommendation of Theramenes, they would be forced to take thought for their personal safety in- stead of for their political constitution. After a notice at once so plain and so crushing, farther resistance was vain. The dissen- tients all quitted the assembly in sadness and indignation ; while a remnant according to Lysias, inconsiderable in number as well as worthless in character stayed to vote acceptance of the motion.2 Seven years before, Theramenes had carried, in conjunction with Antiphon and Phrynichus, a similar motion for the installa- tion of the Four Hundred ; extorting acquiescence by domestic terrorism as well as by multiplied assassinations. He now, in conjunction with Kritias and the rest, a second time extinguished the constitution of his country, by the still greater humiliation of a foreign conqueror dictating terms to the Athenian people assembled in their own Pnyx. Having seen the Thirty regularly constituted, Lysander retired from Athens to finish the siege of Samos, which still held out. Though blocked up both by laud 1 Xcnoph. Ilcllcn. ii, 3, 2.
 * Lysias conk Eratosth. Or. xii, sects. 74-77.