Again, the situation of cities is a cause of revolution when the
country is not naturally adapted to preserve the unity of the state.
For example, the Chytians at Clazomenae did not agree with the
people of the island; and the people of Colophon quarrelled with the
Notians; at Athens too, the inhabitants of the Piraeus are more
democratic than those who live in the city. For just as in war the
impediment of a ditch, though ever so small, may break a regiment,
so every cause of difference, however slight, makes a breach in a
city. The greatest opposition is confessedly that of virtue and
vice; next comes that of wealth and poverty; and there are other
antagonistic elements, greater or less, of which one is this
difference of place.
IV
In revolutions the occasions may be trifling, but great interests
are at stake. Even trifles are most important when they concern the
rulers, as was the case of old at Syracuse; for the Syracusan
constitution was once changed by a love-quarrel of two young men,
who were in the government. The story is that while one of them was
away from home his beloved was gained over by his companion, and he to
revenge himself seduced the other's wife. They then drew the members
of the ruling class into their quarrel and so split all the people
into portions.
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