The defeat of Athens was to have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power between the Greek city-states. After their surrender to the Spartans in 404 the Athenians had to suffer the replacement of their democratic constitution by an oligarchy. This new regime consisted of a board of 30 men whose remit was to draw up a new long-term constitution for Athens. These so-called 'Thirty Tyrants' had the backing of Lysander and 700 hoplites sent by the Spartans. The oligarchs, many of whom had fled Athens after the failed revolution in 411, set about settling old scores and enriching themselves at the expense of both citizens and non-Athenian residents like the speech-writer Lysias and his brother Polemarchos, who were both arrested on trumped up charges so that their property could be confiscated. Some of their victims fled, like Lysias, who escaped to Megara, but others, such as Polemarchos were executed. Theramenes, one of the Thirty, tried to oppose this reign of terror, but he was denounced by his colleague Kritias and put to death.
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