History of the Peloponnesian War

When the assembly had been dissolved, with no opposition from anyone and immediately after sanctioning these measures, the leaders of the oligarchy then introduced the Four Hundred into the senate-chamber in the following manner: all the Athenians were at all times under arms, as a precaution against the enemy at Deceleia, some on the walls and some in the ranks.

On that day, then, they let those who were not privy to their design go away as usual, but those who were in the conspiracy had been quietly told to remain, not close by their arms, but at some distance from them, and if anybody tried to oppose what was going on, to take their arms and permit no interference.

And there were at hand some Andrians and Tenians and three hundred Carystians and some of their colonists from Aegina,[*](In 431 B.C.; cf. ii. 27.) whither they had been sent by the Athenians to inhabit the island, who had come for this very purpose in their own armour, and to these the same order had already been given.

When these forces had been thus disposed, the Four Hundred, each carrying a concealed dagger and accompanied by the one hundred and twenty young men whom they made use of wherever there was any need of their handiwork, broke in upon the regular senators who were in the senate-chamber, and told them to get their pay[*](A drachma each day; see Boeckh, Pub. Econ. Ath., i. 327. For that day they took their pay from the regular official; For the rest of the month the 400 paid it to them.) and go out; and they themselves brought them their pay for all the remainder of their term, and as they went out gave it to them.