The Tyrant Pisistratus
After Solon left, the aristocrats (rich nobles) and democrats (common people) quarreled. Pisistratus, a wealthy nephew of Solon, pretended to support the poor. He wounded himself and claimed the aristocrats attacked him, getting a bodyguard that he used to seize power. Though he tricked them, he ruled wisely - building temples, an aqueduct, the Lyceum park, and preserving Homer's poems in writing. "Tyrant" then meant supreme ruler, not cruel ruler.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Identifies the aristocrats (rich) and democrats (common people) as rival parties
Cause & Consequence
Explains why Pisistratus pretended to side with the poor: to gain power
Significance
Considers whether deception to gain power can be justified by good rule
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