Pisistratus

Pisistratus (600 BC-527 BC) was a tyrant of Athens, in ancient Greece. He was the friend of Solon and a relative. He was an able but an ambitious man. Being in favour with the citizens presented himself one day in the Agora, and displaying some wounds he had received in their defence, persuaded them to give him a bodyguard of 50 men, which grew into a larger force, by means of which in 560 BC he took possession of the citadel and seized the sovereign power, from which he was shortly after driven forth. After six years he was brought back, but compelled to retire a second time. After 10 years he returned and made good his ascendency, reigning thereafter peacefully for 14 years, and leaving his power in the hands of his sons Hippias and Hipparchus. He was a good and wise ruler, and encouraged the liberal arts, and it is to him we owe the first written collection or complete edition of the poems of Homer.

Nearby pages
Pistoia, Pistole, Pistro Della Francesca, Pit Planting, Pitaka