What is Hippias (tyrant)?
'''Hippias of Athens''' ({{lang-grc-gre|Ἱππίας ὁ Ἀθηναῖος}}) lived in [[Athens]] in the 6th century [[BC]]. He was one of the sons of [[Peisistratos (Athens)|Peisistratus]], the ruler of Athens. Hippias succeeded Peisistratus in 527 BC. and became [[tyrant]] of [[Athens]].<ref>[[Aristotle]], ''The Athenian Constitution'', Part 18</ref> His brother Cleisthenes was murdered in 514 BC. Hippias' behavior changed. He became cruel and angry, executing people in revenge, and taking away the freedom of people. He also was afraid of threats from the [[aristocracy|aristocrats]]. In the end his [[uncle]] [[Cleisthenes]] decided to overthrow Hippias and gain power for himself and his family. Hippias was captured and sent into [[exile]], away from Athens forever in 510 BC.<ref>Sacks, David ''et al''' 2009. Hippias. In ''Encyclopedia of the ancient Greek world''. Infobase Publishing, p. 157. {{ISBN|9781438110202}}</ref> Hippias fled to [[Persia]], and the Persians threatened to attack Athens if they did not accept Hippias. The Athenians preferred to remain [[democratic]] despite the danger from Persia. Soon after, the [[Ionian Revolt]] against Persian rule began in the Greek colonies in [[Asia Minor]]. It was put down in 494 BC, but [[Darius I]] of Persia was keen to punish Athens for its role in the revolt. In 490 BC Hippias, still in the service of the Persians, led Darius to Marathon, in [[Greece]]. The [[Battle of Marathon]] began a series of Greek victories which made Athens and its colonies successful. The next 200 years saw flowering of the [[classical Greece|classical Greek civilisation]].<ref>Fine J.V.A. 1983. ''The Ancient Greeks: a critical history''. Harvard University Press, p. 226. {{ISBN|9780674033146}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Ancient Greeks]] [[Category:Ancient Athens]] {{bio-stub}}