Athenians were simply
cheated.

(M557) The Four Hundred, installed in power, solemnized their installation
by prayer and sacrifice, put to death some political enemies, imprisoned
and banished others, and ruled with great rigor and strictness. They then
sought to make peace with Sparta, which was declined. The army at Samos
heard of these changes with exceeding wrath, especially the cruelties
which were inflicted on all citizens who spoke against the new tyranny. A
democratic demonstration took place at Samos, by which the Samians and the
army were united in the strongest ties, for the Samians had successfully
resisted a like revolution on their island. The army at Samos refused to
obey any orders from the oligarchy, and constituted a democracy by
themselves. Yet the man who had been instrumental in creating this
oligarchy, with characteristic versatility and impudence, joined the
democracy at Samos. He came to Samos by invitation of the armament, and
pledged himself to secure Persian aid, and he was believed and again
trusted. He then launched into a new career, and professed to take up
again the interests of the democracy at Athens. The envoys of the Four
Hundred which were sent to Samos were indignantly sent back, and the
general indignation against the oligarchy was intensified. Envoys from
Argos also appeared at Samos, offering aid to the Athenian democracy.
There was now a strong and organized resistance to the Four Hundred, and
their own divisions placed them further in a precarious situation.
Theramenes demanded that the Five Thousand, which body had been thus far
nominal, should be made a reality. The Four Hundred again solicited aid
from Sparta, and constructed a fort for the admission of a Spartan
garrison, while a Lacedaemonian fleet hovered near the Piraeus.

(M558) The long-suppressed energies of the people at length burst forth. A
body of soldiers seized the fortress the oligarchy were constructing for a
Spartan garrison, and demolished it. The Four Hundred made important
concessions, and agreed to renew the public assembly. While these events
occurred a naval battle took place near Eretria between the Lacedaemonians
and the Athenians, in which the latter were defeated. The victory, if they
had pushed their success, would have completed the ruin of Athens, since
her home fleet was destroyed, and that at Samos was detained by
Alcibiades. When it was seen the hostile fleet did not enter the harbor,
the Ath