Pisistratus
(c.600-527BC)

Hippocrates' son and friend of Solon, Pisistratus was to be a great general and tyrant of Athens. His distinction came through the war against the Megarians (570-565BC). Five years later he seized power and became tyrant for 33 years.
His enemies were the rich aristocrats who he drove out the city, only to be exiled to Euboea by them on their return. He defeated them in 541 with the help of Thebes and Argos.
Pesistratus was a popular ruler, reducing taxes, helping the poor and disabled, uniting Attica and beautifying Athens with new buildings. Because of the increasing export, Pisistratus was able to finance waterpipes for the city. He was a patron of the arts and is sometimes credited with the first written versions of Homer's works, or to at least have supervised the first editions of the odes. He also founded the first public library of Athens. Pisistratus was succeeded by his two sons Hippias and Hipparchus.