The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
World history
Upon this the Thirty, no longer thinking their cause safe, wished to
secure for themselves Eleusis, that they might have a place of refuge, if
required. Having sent their orders to the cavalry, Critias and the rest
of the Thirty came to Eleusis; and having held a review of the horse in
the place, alleging that they wished to know what was their number, and
how much additional garrison they would require, they ordered them all
to write down their names, and as each one wrote it down in his turn, to
pass out through the postern to the sea. On the beach they had posted
their cavalry on both sides, and as each successively passed out, their
attendants bound him. When all were arrested, they ordered Lysimachus,
the commander of the cavalry, to take them to the city and deliver them
up to the Eleven. The next day they summoned to the Odeum the heavy-armed
in the list, and the rest of the cavalry; when Critias stood up, and
said: “It is no less for your advantage, gentlemen, than for our own,
that we are establishing the present form of government. As then you will
share in its honours, so too you ought to share in its dangers. You must
give your votes therefore against the Eleusinians here arrested, that
you may have the same grounds with us both of confidence and of fear.”
And pointing out a certain spot, he ordered them openly to deposit their
votes in it. At the same time the Lacedæmonian guard under arms occupied
half of the Odeum; and these measures were approved by such of the
citizens also as only cared for their own advantage.
[Sidenote: [403 B.C.]]
After this, Thrasybulus took those at Phyle, who had now gathered
together to the number of about a thousand, and came by night into
Piræus. The Thirty, on this intelligence, immediately went out to the
rescue with both the Lacedæmonians, and the cavalry, and the heavy-armed;
and then advanced along the cart-way that leads to Piræus. The force from
Phyle for some time attempted to stop their approach; but when the great
circuit of the wall appeared to require a large body to guard it, and
they were not a large one, they marched in close order into Munychia. The
troops from the city drew themselves up so as to fill up the road, being
not less than fifty shields deep. In this order they marched up the hill.
The force from Phyle also filled up the road, but were not more than ten
deep in their heavy-armed; behind whom, however, there were posted both
targeteers and light dart-men, and behind them the slingers. These indeed
formed a numerous body; for the inhabitants of the place had joined them.
While the enemy were coming on, Thrasybulus ordered his men to ground
their shields, and having grounded his own, but keeping the rest of his
arms, he took his stand in the midst of them, and spoke thus:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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