PEISISTRATUS and the Secrets of Power:
Instructions for Hippias and Hipparchus

Illustration by M. A. Barth 1838 depicting the return of Pisistratus to Athens, accompanied by a woman dressed as Athena.

 

Is there something like a ‘good tyrant’?

Such a notion appears counterintuitive at first sight, especially for proponents of a strong democracy, as they care about a political culture that is inclusive, participatory, and transparent. Yet even at the height of democracy in the 5th century, the Athenians maintained a highly positive image of their ‘tyrant’ Peisistratus, under whom Athens rose to one of the strongest and wealthiest poleis of Greece (564-529 BCE).

Although he had used cunning and violence to obtain preeminence in the running of the state, his government actually showed innovation, moderation, and balance, benefitting all levels of society. He reserved the top positions for the wealthiest in accordance with the Constitution of Solon (594 BCE), but at the same time, he lifted thousands of the poor up into the middle class, who remained the arbiter of public affairs in the assembly of the people (ecclesia).

Most of what is known about him is derived from the short and legendary account of how he came to power (Herodotus’ Histories I 59-64), whereas Herodotus’ book on 6th-century constitutional history only covers the unfortunate end of his sons Hippias (ruled 529-510 BCE) and Hipparchus (killed in 514 BCE). But thanks to another spectacular discovery of Rabbi Ben – relentless on his quest for understanding and dismantling the secrets of power – we now have the opportunity to look deeper into the mechanisms of Peisistratus’ rule. It appears that he wanted to bequeath his sons not only his estate and preeminence in Athens, but also a collection of political reflections, written down in leisurely nights to guide them through the storms of the future. We shall never know if the scroll with his invaluable insights ever reached his sons, but through miraculous ways, they ended up on the Rabbi’s desk, and he is now presenting their first English translation to us.