Peisistratos and Tyranny in Ancient Greece

Questions and Answers

Who was Peisistratos?

Peisistratos was a Greek statesman who became the Tyrant of Athens following a popular coup and ruled in 561 BC.

What is the definition of a tyrant?

A tyrant is a cruel and oppressive ruler, or in ancient Greece, a ruler who seized power unconstitutionally.

Who supported Peisistratos?

He was supported by the lower classes.

What were Peisistratos' contributions to Athens?

He constructed public buildings, improved the water supply, and introduced major festivals. Signup and view all the answers

How was Peisistratos described?

He was described as the ideal classical tyrant, administering the state fairly without changing existing laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Peisistratids?

Peisistratids refers to the three tyrants who ruled Athens from 546 to 510 BC, including Peisistratos and his sons. Signup and view all the answers

Who succeeded Peisistratos?

He was succeeded by his eldest son, Hippias. Signup and view all the answers

What ended the line of Peisistratos' Tyrants?

The Alcmaeonid family bribed the Delphic oracle, leading to Spartan intervention to liberate Athens in 508 BC. Signup and view all the answers

What positive changes did Peisistratos make?

He cut taxes, created traveling judges, beautified Athens, and promoted the arts. Signup and view all the answers

How did Peisistratos rise to power?

He gained military fame by taking the Megarian harbor and organized a faction called the Hillsmen. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peisistratos Overview

Greek statesman and Tyrant of Athens, ruled from 561 BC.
Played a crucial role in unifying Attica, contributing to Athens' future dominance in Greece.

Definition of a Tyrant

Tyrant (Greek: Tyrannos) often denotes a cruel leader; in ancient Greece, it refers to an usurper of power.
Despite being labeled a tyrant, Peisistratos was popular and aimed for state improvement. His son, Hippias, inherited power after his death in 527 BC.

Support Base

Peisistratos had strong backing from the lower classes, distributing land to landless farmers and allowing citizenship without land ownership.

Contributions to Athens

Initiated public works, including a fountain house and new temples on the Acropolis.
Introduced significant festivals like the Panathenaic Festival and City Dionysia, enhancing cultural life.

Description of Peisistratos

Regarded as the ideal classical tyrant, ruling through personal ability without altering existing magistrates or laws.
Herodotus described his governance as fair, while Aristotle noted its temperance, akin to constitutional government.

Peisistratids

Term refers to Peisistratos and his two sons, Hipparchus and Hippias, collectively ruling Athens from 546 to 510 BC.

Rule of Peisistratos' Sons

Hippias, Peisistratos' eldest son, ruled similarly until the assassination of Hipparchus, which led to his oppressive behavior and loss of public support.

End of Tyranny

The Alcmaeonid family facilitated the fall of the Peisistratids by bribing the Delphic oracle, prompting Spartan intervention in 508 BC.
Following their exile, Cleisthenes initiated the creation of a democratic system in Athens.

Positive Changes by Peisistratos

Worked to balance power among economic classes, reducing taxes and providing justice through traveling judges.
Beautified Athens and encouraged the arts, minted coins featuring Athena's symbol, and reduced aristocratic privileges by redistributing land.

Rise to Power

Gained recognition through military exploits at the Megarian harbor and founded the Hillsmen faction, uniting various noble families and city residents.

Description

Explore the significant role of Peisistratos in Athenian history through this engaging flashcard quiz. Discover the meaning of tyranny and learn about the impact of Peisistratos' rule on Athens' prosperity and unification. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of Greek political history.