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C O U R S E L E C T U R E Peisistratos: Tyranny and Civic Identity Notes taken on April 3, 2015 by Edward Tanguay |
Solon's reforms addressed issues of his time
allowed for more mobility
but didn't undermine the underlying qualities in Athenian society
after Solon's reforms, continuing tension and trouble
590 BC, a year without an archon
similar to year 404 with the year of the Thirty Tyrants
one archon stayed in office for two years even though he was only elected for one
probably wanted to make himself tyrant
in South, had tried to expand
undertook a campaign against Tegea [TEE-gee-ah]
formed alliances with Tegea
an informal Peloponnesian League coming together
brief experiment with a board of governors
Peisistratos [pigh-SIS-trah-tus]
had already made a name of himself
participated in war of Megara
clearly had ambitions to rule Athens
made three attempts to establish himself as tyrant
1. wounded himself and came into the Agora and asked for a civic grant of armed guards, assembly gave it to him
Solon who was old put his armor outside his house indicating that he would not take part
Solonian poem talks about a wily man who will deceive the minds of the people, may be Peisistratos
alliance of other two big men drove him out
2. married Megakles' daughter
dressed her up as Athena
Athenians feel for this
he was staging a pageant
something for the amusement of his fellow citizens, political theater
marriage was not successful
3. went north to Thrace, got into gold mines, returned to Athens with a mercenary force
established his rule quickly
levied small tax on produce
started set of public works
circuit judges, who went out into the countryside to hear cases
cleared the Agora of private dwellings
major public construction
massive temple of Zeus Olympias
especially cults honoring Athena
vases which held olive oil
tragic and comic festivals in honor of Dionysus
competition of choruses
ambitious, ethical, capable ruler
never had to use a bodyguard
this showed he was popular
Athens began growing during his rule
kouros statues [KUR-ohs]
represented male youths
were represented as nude, unlike the Egyptian models
striding with one foot forward
characteristic markers of the elite
stop and mourn beside the memorial of dead Croesus, whom fierce Ares cut down in the front ank of battle