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The Rule of the Tyrant Pisistratus Although tyranny came to have a bad reputation, the first tyrants were often popular they broke the unchallenged domination of the aristocrats. Their careers were sometimes remembered fondly when compared with those of their successor, as Aristotle did with Pisistratus, Athens’ first tyrant, .in the Athenian Constitution, written two centuries after the events described. Such was the origin and such the frank speech and his industry that he vicissitudes of the tyranny of Pisistratus. granted him exemption from all taxes. His administration was temperate… and And so in matters in general he burdened more like constitutional government than a the people as little as possible with his tyranny. Not only was he in every respect government, but always cultivated peace humane and mild and ready to forgive and kept them in quietness. Hence the those who offended, but, in addition, he tyranny of Pisistratus was often spoken of advanced money to the poorer people to proverbially as “the age of gold”; for when help them in their labors, so that they his sons succeeded him the government might make their living by agriculture. In became much harsher. But most important this he had two objects, first that they of all in this aspect was his popular and might not spend their time in the city, but kindly disposition. In all things he was might be scattered all over the face of the accustomed to observe the laws without country, and secondly that being giving himself any exceptional privileges. moderately well off and occupied with Once he was summoned on a charge of their own business, they might have homicide before the Areopagus [ancient neither the wish nor the time to attend to tribunal], and he appeared in person to public affairs. At the same time his make his defense; but the prosecutor was revenues were increased by the thorough afraid to present himself and abandoned cultivation of the country, since he the case. For these reasons he held power imposed a tax of one tenth on all the long, and whenever he was expelled he produce. For the same reasons he regained his position easily. The majority instituted the local justices, and often made alike of the upper class and of the people expeditions in person into the country to were in his favor; the former by his social inspect it and to settle disputes between intercourse with them, the latter by the individuals, that they might not come to assistance which he gave to their private the city and neglect their farms. It was one purses, and his nature fitted him to win the of these progresses that, as the story goes, hearts of both. Moreover the laws in Pisistratus had his adventure with the man reference to tyrants at the time in force at of Hymettus, who was cultivating the spot Athens were very mild, especially the one afterwards known as “Tax-free Farm.” He that applies more particularly to the saw a man digging and working a very establishment of tyranny. The law ran as stony piece of ground, and being surprised follows, “These are the ancestral statutes he sent his attendant to ask what he got out of the Athenians; if any persons shall make of this plot of land. “Aches and pains,” an attempt to establish a tyranny, or if any said the man, “and that’s what Pisistratus person shall join in setting up a tyranny, he ought to have a tenth of.” The man spoke shall lose his civic rights, both himself and without knowing who his questioner was; his whole house.” but Pisistratus was so pleased with his 1. If Pisistratus was a tyrant, why was his rule portrayed as a golden age? 2. If it was a golden age, why did Athenians pass laws against tyranny?