Hippias (tyrant)

Hippias (Greek Ἱππίας, † 490 BC) was a partner in Peisistratids - tyranny in Athens. Together with his brother Hipparchus he sat by her father's death continues the tyrant Pisistratus rule 527-510 BC.

Hippias was in this team as the leading political head. 514 BC, committed by the " tyrannicide " Harmodius and Aristogeiton a successful assassination of Hipparchus, which is also the brother would have to meet. Thereupon hardened the of Hippias now alone exerted tyrannical regime.

At the instigation mainly of acting in exile Cleisthenes of Athens succeeded with the help of Sparta under Cleomenes I, the priest of the Delphic oracle allegedly zurieten several times to overthrow the regime of Hippias. The kleisthenische Alcmaeonids family to have the construction of the temple of Delphi by her great fortune strongly supported and helped him to particularly magnificent design. Thus, the call for liberation of Athens would have been redeemed from the Peisistratids. After a first attempt to overthrow Hippias, was scuppered by the help of allied with Athens Thessalian troops finally attacked Spartan King Cleomenes I. with troops of the Peloponnesian League in 510 BC Athens again and beat the Thessalian cavalry in flight. Who had fled to the Acropolis Hippias negotiated his safe passage from Athens. He moved to Sigeion where he reigned under Persian rule. Serving the Persians, he participated in the Battle of Marathon as a consultant.