Pisistratus: Tyrant of Ancient Athens

"Initially a student of the lawgiver and political philosopher Solon, Pisistratus presented himself as the champion of the poor, disenfranchised masses of Athens, and used their support to seize power in 560 BCE. Though he was ousted from the city five years later, he was twice reinstated and came to power for the third and final time in 546 BCE. He ruled as a tyrant, which, in the ancient Greek"

"According to Herodotus (circa 484 to 425/413 BCE), Pisistratus' father went to the Olympic Games as a spectator a few years before his son's birth (probably in 608 or 604 BCE), where he made a sacrifice to the gods. During the sacrifice, the cauldrons that had been filled with the meat and water boiled and overflowed, even though the fire had not"

Pisistratus (c.600–527 BCE) became tyrant of Athens after leveraging support from the poor and disenfranchised to seize power in 560 BCE. He was briefly ousted, returned twice, and secured his final rule in 546 BCE. His rule used near-absolute authority common to ancient Greek tyrannies while he pursued policies favoring the poor, granting new farmlands. He invested in Athens’ urban development, promoting trade, religion, and culture during his later years. He died in 527 BCE and was succeeded by his two sons, known as the Pisistratids. He was a former student of Solon and associated with Solon’s reforms.

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