Diodorus Siculus

“ Not being able to put an end to their civil discords, they desired a governor from the Lacedæmonians; to which end Clearchus was sent to them, who, after the whole power was put into his hands, got together a great number of mercenaries, and acted more like a tyrant than a governor. For first, having invited the magistrates to a feast, after a public sacrifice, he caused them all to be put to death. Presently after, when there was none left to govern the city, he strangled thirty of the chief men of Byzantium, and seized upon all their goods to his own use. ”

“ Having thus enriched himself, he inlisted vast numbers of foreign troops, and confirmed and strengthened himself in the sovereignty. When the cruelty and power of the tyrant was spread abroad, the Lacedæmonians at first sent messengers to him to advise him to lay down his government: but when he flatly refused, they sent an army against him under the command of Panthedas; but when Clearchus hear of his coming, he marched away with his forces to Selymbria, of which he had before possessed himself. ”

“ But notwithstanding all his hopes to prevail, by his interest in the king and the fullness of his purse, he was not only frustrated of his hope there, but the priests of the oracle sent ambassadors to Sparta, and accused Lysander for his offering of bribes to corrupt the oracle. ”