
Bulis was an Athenian soldier who served under Commander Rhexenor during the Peloponnesian War. In 424 BC, his commander sent him to the home of the actor Thespis to find and destroy the script to the playwright Aristophanes' play The Knights, which criticized Rhexenor's boss, the populist demagogue Cleon. Bulis was caught and held at spearpoint by the mercenary Kassandra, whom Aristophanes had sent to look for Thespis, and Kassandra interrogated him and discovered Rhexenor's orders to destroy the play, as well as Thespis' location (the tavern up the street). Kassandra then commended Bulis' loyalty and his ability to follow orders, and she invited Bulis to join the crew of the Adrestia. Bulis was elated to hear of a chance to leave Athens, and he enthusiastically agreed.