History of the Peloponnesian War

For in Samos a reaction had already set in against the oligarchical movement, and the following events took place at about the very time when the Four Hundred were organizing.

Those of the Samians who at the earlier time[*](cf. ch. xxi.) rose up against the aristocrats and were of the popular party changed sides again, being persuaded both by Peisander, on his arrival,[*](cf. 8.63.3.) and by his Athenian accomplices at Samos, and became conspirators; they were fully three hundred in number, and were intending to attack the others, as being of the democratic party.

And Hyperbolus, one of the Athenians, a depraved fellow who had been ostracized,[*](Probably in 418 B.C. He was the constant butt of the jokes of Aristophanes. See also Plutarch, Nicias 11; Aristides 7; Alcibiades 13.) not through any fear of his power and consequence, but because he was a villain and a disgrace to the city, they put to death, herein acting in concert with Charminus,[*](cf. 8.30.1; 8.41.3; 8.42.2.) one of the generals, and a group of the Athenians at Samos, thus giving them a pledge of good faith. And in other like deeds they co-operated with them and were eager to attack the populace.