Post #5 Athens. Democracy. Fun!

Hippias was a tyrant of Athens, who when his brother was murdered, became very paranoid and began a very harsh rule over Athens. Eventually, the people had had enough and ostracized him form the city. In revenge he began working with King Darius I to invade Marathon.

With Hippies out of the picture, two aristocrats named Isagorus and Cleisthenes began to "run for office." Isagoris had support form fellow aristocrats, as well as form Sparta. Cleisthenes had support form the majority of the Athenian people. Isagoris became the tyrant, and ostracized Cleisthenes from the city. However, Cleisthenes' supporters and the ordinary citizens of Athens revolted against Isagoris' tyranny. THIS WAS THE FIRST TME A PEOPLE REVOLTED AGAINST THEIR LEADER IN RECORDED HISTORY! They trapped Isagoris on the acropolis for two days and on the third day he fled and was banished. The date of all this cool stuff was 508 BCE.

Cleisthenes', now in power, saw the value of the knowledge and talents of everyday citizens, and the seeds of DEMOCRACY were planted.