Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/228

 220 RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TYRANTS [vi of the incident in question, and know no more than other ^•,^^527. ^.,, Hippias the Hellenes ••*. Pislstratus died at an ^' ~' rdgning tyrant, but advanced age in possession of the Hipparclms his brother, tyranny, and then, not, as is the common xuas statu by liar-. . ,.., , ,.. . ,, vwe/uis and Arista- opuiion, Hipparchus, but H ippias (who giton. The attempt was the eldest of his sons) succeeded B.C. 514. arose out of a love jq }^js power.— Harmodius was in the 01. 66, 3. affair. The Pisistrat- _ _, 1 a • • ic/ae, though tyrants, Aower of youth, and Aristogiton, a citi- were not without virtues zcn of the middle class, became his or ivanting in modera. q^^q^^ Hipparchus made an attempt iion : they retained the. , -^ . - . ., . , a^eient laws, but kept ^^ S^^" ^he affections of Harmoduis, but iha'r hold over the he would not listen to him, and told ^■^^^^- Aristogiton. The latter was naturally tormented at the idea, and fearing that Hipparchus who was powerful would resort to violence, at once formed such a plot as a man in his station might for the overthrow of the tyranny. Meanwhile Hipparchus made another attempt ; he had no better success, and thereupon he determined, not indeed to take any violent step, but to insult Harmodius ''in some secret place ^ so that his motive could not be suspected. To use violence would have been at variance with the general character of his rule, which was not unpopular or oppressive to the many ; in fact no tyrants ever displayed greater merit or capacity than these. Although the tax on the produce of the soil which they exacted amounted only to five per cent., they improved and adorned the city, and carried on successful wars ; they were also in the habit of sacrificing in the temples. The city meanwhile was permitted to retain her ancient laws; but the family of Pisistratus took care that one of their own number should always be in office. Among others who thus held the annual archonship at Athens was Pisistratus, a son of the t^'rant H ippias. He was named after his grandfather Pisistratus, and ' Cp. i. 20. ^ Reading towo; with all the MSS. ; or, reading rpuvo): 'hi some underhand manner.'