History of the Peloponnesian War

And the Athenians, when they were aware of it, came in a body from the fields against them and sitting down before the Acropolis laid siege to it.

But as time passed the Athenians grew weary of the siege and most of them went away, committing the task of guarding to the nine Archons, to whom they also gave full power to settle the whole matter as they might determine to be best;

for at that time[*](i.e. before the legislation of Solon; from that time the power of the Archons decreased, and was restricted chiefly to judicial functions.) the nine Arclons transacted most of the public business.