Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/389

62 64] OLIG.IRCIJS AT SAMOS 381 persuaded the chief men of Sanios to join them in setting up an oHgarchy, '^although they had lately risen against their own countr3'men" in order to put down oligarchy. At the same time conferring among themselves, the Athenian leaders at Samos came to the conclusion that since Alcibiades would not join they had better leave him alone ; for indeed he was not the sort of person who was suited to an oligarchy. But they determined, as they were already compromised, to proceed by themselves, and to take measures for carrying the movement through ; they meant also to persevere in the war, and were willing enough to contribute money or anything else which might be wanted out of their own houses, since they would now be toiling, not for others, but for themseh'es*'. Having thus encouraged one another in their purpose 6a. they sent Peisander and one half of _, ,^ ^. •^ 1 lieyzvaiit toptitdozvii the envoys back to Athens. They were democracy in the subjrd- to carry out the scheme at home, and "^'"- But the allies, 1 J !• ■• , . !• 1 especially the Thasiaiis, had directions to set up an oligarchy , ' . -^ . , , , ' ^ o -f liavmg gained a better in the subject-cities at which they govemmeut, do not touched on their voyage. The other care to retain their con- Lir J i.ijj-£f i i nexion ivith Athens. hall were despatched dmerent wa3's to other subject-cities. Diotrephes, who was then at Chios, was sent to assume the command in Chalcidice and on the coast of Thrace, to which he had been previously appointed. On arriving at Thasos he put down the de- mocracy. But within about two months of his departure the Thasians began to fortify their city; they did not want to have an aristoa'acy dependent on Athens when they were daily expecting to obtain their liberty from Lace- daemon. For there were Thasian exiles who had been driven out by the Athenians dwelling in Peloponnesus, and they, with the assistance of their friends at home, were exerting themselves vigorously to obtain ships and " Or, ' although there had just been an insurrection in Samos itself.' ^' Cp. viii 21, 73 init. "^ Cp. viii. 48 init.