Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/352

 236 THE CORCYRAEAN SEDITION [ill for each pole the penalty was fixed at a stater ^ They were condemned ; but the fine was so excessive that they went and sat as suppliants in the temple of Zeus and Alcinous, begging that they might pay the money by instalments. Peithias, who happened to be a member of the senate as well as the popular leader, persuaded the senators to put the law in execution. The culprits, knowing that the law was against them, and perceiving that Peithias ^ as long as he remained in the senate would try to induce the people^ to make an alliance offensive and defensive with Athens, conspired together, and, rush- ing into the council chamber with daggers in their hands, slew him and others to the number of sixty, as well private persons as senators. A few who were of the same party with him took refuge in the Athenian trireme, which had not yet left. 71 The next step taken by the conspirators was to assemble Temporary triuvyiph the people and tell them that they had of the oligarchs. acted for the best, and in order to secure them against the tyranny of Athens. For the future they should receive neither Athenians nor Peloponnesians, unless they came peaceably with one ship ; to bring more should be deemed the act of an enemy ; and this proposal they compelled the people to ratif3^ They also sent envoys to Athens, who were to put the most favourable colour on the affair, and to dissuade the refugees who had fled thither from taking any inconvenient step which might lead to a counter-revolution. 72 When the envoys arrived, the Athenians arrested them EnvoysfromCorcyra ^^ disturbers of the peace, and de- are arrested at Athens, positcd them in Aegina, together with Defeat of the popular ^ny of the refugees whom they had ^'^^^' gained over. In the meantime, the ^ If the gold stater, about 16s. ; if the silver Athenian stater, about 2s. 8i/. ; if the silver Corinthian stater (^didrachmon) (tetradrachmon), about 15. A,d. ^ Or, ' before he ceased to be a senator would persuade the people.'