Peisistratus

Peisistratus (c.600–527 BC) and the Peisistratidai. Peisistratus was three times tyrant of Athens; the Peisistratidai (‘Peisistratids’) were his sons and successors, Hippias and Hipparchus. During the struggles for political power that developed following the reforms of Solon in the early sixth century, Peisistratus (a relative of Solon) emerged as leader of the poorer ‘hillsmen’ (diakrioi or hyperakrioi). In about 560 he seized the Acropolis and made himself tyrant. The other two parties (the plainsmen and the coastmen) eventually united to drive him out of Athens, but he soon returned (in the mid-550s), accompanied in his chariot by a tall and beautiful woman whom he had dressed up as the goddess Athena. He said she had come to restore him to the city and was received with acclamation. Although he was soon forced into exile again, Peisistratus returned in 546 with a force of mercenaries, defeated his opponents and remained in power for the rest of his life. His eldest son Hippias succeeded him, and associated his brother Hipparchus in the tyranny. Hipparchus was unpopular because of his dissolute arrogance, and in 514 was killed by Harmodius and Aristogeiton. After this the rule of Hippias became harsher. His fall was brought about chiefly by the Alcmaeonids (see CLEISTHENES (2)), who induced Sparta to invade Attica. Hippias, besieged in the Acropolis, capitulated and retired to Sigeum in 510. Here he negotiated with the Persians in order to secure their help in his restoration. His hopes frustrated, he subsequently died at Lemnos.

Tradition said that Peisistratus was a moderate and benevolent ruler. It is not always possible to distinguish his work from that of his sons. He created a citizens' property tax which provided subsidies to poor farmers, enabling them to avoid debt (which Solon had failed to achieve). Under him the commercial importance of Athens greatly increased; her wine, oil, and pottery reached all the surrounding countries. Under his sons better roads were built between the city and country demes, and lawsuits in the demes were heard by travelling judges, so that country people did not need to travel to the city to have their cases heard. Athens was provided with a good water-supply; the famous spring-house (Enneakrounos, ‘nine-jets’) was built in the agora, the water channelled in clay pipes from the spring Callirrhoē. The Peisistratids beautified the city with new temples (remains of the buildings have been found on the Acropolis, as well as many marble statues) and they encouraged art and literature: for instance, Simonidēs of Ceos and Anacreon of Teos were invited to Athens. The Panathenaic festival was celebrated with greater splendour from 566 onwards, with the addition of contests in athletics, music, and poetry; recitals of Homer by rhapsodes were said to have been introduced by the Peisistratids (see HOMER 6). Peisistratus is also credited with the creation of the state festival of the City Dionysia in 534, and with encouraging the cult of Demeter at Eleusis.