History of the Peloponnesian War

When the assembly had been dissolved, without contradiction from any one, and by its own ratificaion of the measure, then they afterwards introduced the Four Hundred into the council-chamber, in the following manner. All the Athenians, in consequence of the enemy established at Decelea, were constantly under arms, either on the walls or in the ranks.

On that day, then, they permitted those who were not privy to their design to [*](ἀπελθεῖν,] i.e. after a sort of morning parade, as Arnold expresses, leaving their arms piled in some open space, to be ready in case of any alarm. ) go home, as usual; while to those who were in the conspiracy directions were given to wait about quietly, not just by the arms, but at some little distance; and if any one should oppose what was doing, to seize the arms and not suffer it.