History of the Peloponnesian War

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.