Peisistratos

Pisistratus, Greek: Πεισίστρατος, lat Pisistratus (* probably around 600 BC; † 528/527 BC) was an armed coup the founder of Peisistratids - tyranny in Athens.

He was the son of Hippocrates (not to be confused with the doctor ) and, according to later tradition a distant younger relative of Solon, the Athenian reformer fundamental in the Archaic period. According to Herodotus should be preceded ominous sign of his birth.

After Solon left Athens (supposedly 565 BC), Pisistratus came with a following, mainly originated by Herodotus from the Attic Bergland, as Herrschaftsprätendent on. He was in competition with two other renowned nobles, Lycurgus and Megakles, which in turn had their respective followers, according to Herodotus in Attic level or in the coastal strip. Well 561 BC, he rushed with a squad of armed supporters of the Acropolis and had proclaimed himself tyrant, by pretending his enemies sought to take his life. However, he did not last long, because only shortly after he was chased away by the two competitors out of position.

But soon after turned to happiness, as Herodotus, again in favor of Pisistratus, as Megakles parted in the dispute of Lycurgus and Pisistratus joined on the condition that he would marry his daughter. Pisistratus consented, and was able to regain the power allegedly by a trick: He was riding a car through Athens, next to a woman dressed as Athena. Megakles convinced the Athenians stunned, it is said, that this really was the patron goddess of the city. The Athenians took this as a sign and accepted as a tyrant Pisistratus.

But Pisistratus had not held this position again long. Herodotus reported Megakles was upset after some time, because Pisistratus refused to father children with his daughter. So he rejoined Lycurgus and drove Pisistratus again. This settled in Euboea and came in silver mining to a considerable fortune, with which he could after ten years of exile finance a mercenary force for the violent return to Athens. With the help of Adriani of Naxos he could break the resistance of the defenders. It was not until the third attempt, so he was on time for autocrats and tyrants, because this time he was able to prevail against sustained over his opponents and ruled for about 546/545 BC 18 years until his death.

After he had paid Adriani with the tyranny of Naxos and had to face no opposition more, as most other aristocrats cooperated or went into exile, broke under Pisistratus appears to be a broadly quiet time: the poor peasantry, he helped with loans and could persist Solon legal system. Himself he surrounded himself with a bodyguard of mercenaries and used his position to influence the composition of the important offices. Pisistratus promoted the religious cults, had prepared a great temple of Zeus begin ( the first emperor Hadrian centuries later completed ) and strongly supported the worship of Athena and Dionysus. He was also apparently fond of the fine arts and supported many artists. Above all, the Athenian economy flourished under his reign, as he cranked among other things, with the introduction of coinage in Attica ( 550 BC) and with the support of large-scale celebrations. However, the recycling of these measures on Pisistratus is no historical doubt. Even if he did charge a regular tax, as the later sources claim is disputed.

After the death of Pisistratus followed him after his sons Hippias and Hipparchus in the reign until the tyranny was ended 510 by Sparta.