and nominal aggregate called the Five Thousand.—The Four Hundred install themselves in the senate-house, expelling the senators by armed force.—Remarks 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 oligarchs.—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 Chæreas—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.—Alkibiadês opens correspondence with the democratical armament at Samos.—Alkibiadês comes to Samos, on the invitation of the armament.—Confidence placed by the armament in his language and promises—they choose him one of their generals.—New position of Alkibiadês—present turn of his ambition.—The envoys of the Four Hundred reach Samos—are indignantly sent back by the armament.—Eagerness of the armament to sail to Peiræus—is discountenanced by Alkibiadês—his answer to the envoys.—Dissuasive advice of Alkibiadês—how far it is to be commended 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 Theramenês.—Theramenês demands that the Five Thousand shall be made a reality.—Measures of Antiphon and the Four Hundred—their solicitations to Sparta—construction of the fort of Ectioneia, for the admission of a Spartan garrison.—Unaccountable backwardness of the Lacedæmonians.—Assassination of Phrynichus—Lacedæmonian fleet hovering near Peiræus.—Rising at Athens against the Four Hundred—demolition of the new fort at Ectioneia.—Decline of the Four Hundred—concessions made by them—renewal of the public assembly.—Lacedæmonian fleet threatens Peiræus—passes by to Eubœa.—Naval battle near Eretria—Athenians defeated—Eubœa revolts.—Dismay at Athens—her ruin inevitable, if the Lacedæmonians had acted with energy.—The 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 soon enlarged into universal citizenship.—Restoration of the complete democracy, all except pay.—Psephism of Demophantus—democratical oath prescribed.—Flight of most of the leaders of the Four Hundred to Dekeleia.—Theramenês stands forward to accuse the remaining leaders of the Four Hundred, especially in