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Peisistratos or Peisistratus (c. 607 BC-528 BC) was an Ancient Greek statesman who became the Tyrant of Athens following a (quite popular) coup and ruled in 561 BC, 559 BC-556 BC and 545 BC-528 BC. On three separate occasions, Peisistratos was driven into exile, but he returned each time. His terms in office saw tremendous growth in Athenian culture. Most notably, Peisistratos saw to it that the works of Homer were permanently copied and archived.
While in power, Peisistratos did not hesitate to confront the aristocracy. He greatly reduced their privileges, confiscated their lands and gave them to the poor, and funded many religious and artistic programs.
Peisistratos in "Goddess for a Day"[]
After Peisistratos was driven from his office of tyrannos, he hatched a plot to convince the Athenians that Athena was bringing him home and had given him her blessings. To complete this plan, he hired a woman named Phye to accompany him in a carriage while disguised as Athena in a suit of armor.
Peisistratos' ruse worked: the Athenians reinstalled Peisistratos as tyrannos and Phye's family was paid enough silver to feed them for a year. Phye was quietly horrified by Peisistratos' contempt for the common people of Athens.[1]
References[]
- ↑ See, e.g., Counting Up, Counting Down, pgs. 288-294.
| Political offices (OTL) | ||
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| Preceded by Cylon (632 BC) |
Tyrant of Athens 561 BC, 559-556 BC and 546-528 BC |
Succeeded by Hippias (527-510 BC possibly with Hipparkhos) |
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