Class 1/30, Cleisthenes

Today in class we talked about some of the people who served as tyrants in ancient Greece and the people who began to influence the start of democracy.
Notes:

• Hippias was a tyrant who ruled from 527 to 510 BCE, his brother was murdered and his rule became harsh, eventually he was expelled from Athens (he was ostracized), in revenge, he began to conspire with the Persians and their king (Darius I) to take over Greece
• With Hippies gone, Isagoras and Cleisthenes (with aristocrats), Isagoras had the support from fellow aristocrats and Sparta, Cleisthenes had the support of the majority if the Athenians 
• Isagoras won and becomes archon eponymous (tyrant), he ostracizes Cleisthenes, Cleisthenes' supporters- and the ordinary Athenian citizens- revolt against Isagoras' tyranny 
• They trap Isagoras on the acropolis for two days- on the third day he fled and was banished 
• 508 BCE was the first time people rose up against their own rulers
• Cleisthenes was a member of the elite, very rich, isolated from the working and middle class people growing up, crafty politician