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Hipparkhos
Tyrannocides-1-
Historical Figure
Nationality: Athens
Year of Birth: 6th century
Year of Death: 514 BCE
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Occupation: Nobleman, Politician
Parents: Peisistratos
Political Office(s): Tyrant of Athens
Fictional Appearances:
"Counting Potsherds"
POD: 483 BCE;
Relevant POD: 480 BCE
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference

Hipparkhos (or Hipparchus) (d. 514 BCE) was a member of the Athenian ruling class, and a son of the late tyrant Peisistratos. Hipparkhos was assassinated by Harmodios and Aristogeiton after a series of tit-for-tat insults between the former and Hipparkhos. While the two had sought to overthrow the tyranny of Hipparkhos's brother, Hippias, they were ultimately unsuccessful. However, after Hippias was overthrown a few years later, Harmodios and Aristogeiton came to be viewed as martyrs to democracy, and Hipparkhos was placed in the role of "tyrant".

Hipparkhos in "Counting Potsherds"[]

During his journey to Athens, the Persian eunuch Mithredath was shown a base where a statue once stood. On the base was the writing "Harmodios and Aristogeiton, those who slew the tyrant Hipparkhos." When his guide, Polydoros explained what a tyrant was, Mithredath found the idea of a statue in a marketplace to celebrate the killers of a city ruler to be madness.[1]

References[]

  1. See, e.g., Departures, pg. 18-19.
Political offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Peisistratos
Tyrant of Athens (?)
528-514 BC (possibly with Hippias)
Succeeded by
Hippias
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