Pisistratus

Pisistratus (Gr. Peisistratos), a famous 'tyrant' of Athens, was born about 600 B.C. At first he co-operated with his kinsman, the famous Solon, and in the war against the Megarians acquired considerable military distinction; but afterwards, when probably his ambitious views had become more matured, he came forward as the leader of one of the three parties into which Attica was then divided—the Diacrii (party of the Highlands), chiefly a labouring population, jealous of the rich, and eager for equality of political privileges. Driving into the market-place of Athens one day, and exhibiting certain self-inflicted wounds, he called upon the people to protect him against his and their enemies; and, a general assembly of the citizens being summoned, a partisan proposed to allow him a bodyguard of fifty men. The measure was carried in spite of the strenuous opposition of Solon. Gradually Pisistratus increased the number, and in 560 B.C., when he felt himself strong enough, seized the Acropolis. The citizens, in general, seem to have tacitly sanctioned this high-handed act. Megacles and the Alcmaeonids—the heads of the rich aristocratic party—fled from the city, but returned in 554 and drove Pisistratus into exile in Eubœa (552). Supported by Thebes and Argos, he was able in 541 to sail with a strong force, landed in Attica at Marathon, and marched on the capital. His partisans hurried to swell his ranks. At Pallene he encountered his opponents, and completely defeated them, but used his victory with admirable moderation. When he entered the city no further resistance was made, and he resumed the sovereignty at once. He lived for sixteen years afterwards in undisturbed possession of power, dying 527 B.C., and transmitting his supremacy to his sons, Hippias and Hipparchus, known as the Pisistratidae. Although the precautionary measures he adopted to establish his authority involved at first a resolute and stringent policy, yet no sooner had he placed himself out of danger than he began to display that wonderful tact, moderation, and sympathetic appreciation of the wishes of the Athenians that have won him the praise and esteem of all later ages. He firmly, but not harshly, enforced obedience to the laws of Solon; emptied the city of its poorest citizens, and made them agriculturists, supplying such as had no resources with cattle and seed; secured provisions for old and disabled soldiers; bestowed great care on the celebration of the religious festivals of the Atticans; encouraged literature more than any Athenian had ever done before—it is to Pisistratus, or to the poets, scholars, and priests about him, that we owe, for example, the first complete edition of Homer; and, like his still more brilliant successor in the following century, Pericles, he adorned Athens with many of its most beautiful buildings, such as the Lyceum, temples to the Pythian Apollo and the Olympian Zeus, &c. See works on Pisistratus by Flach (1885) and Töpffer (1886).