Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 6.54

[1] For the fact of Aristogeiton and Harmodius was undertaken upon an accident of love, which unfolding at large, I shall make appear that neither any other, nor the Athenians themselves, report any certainty either of their own tyrants or of the fact.

[2] For the old Peisistratus dying in the tyranny, not Hipparchus, as the most thing, but Hippias, who was his eldest son, succeeded in the government. Now Harmodius, a man in the flower of his youth, of great beauty, was in the power of one Aristogeiton, a citizen of a middle condition that was his lover.

[3] This Harmodius, having been solicited by Hipparchus, the son of Peisistratus, and not yielding, discovered the same unto Aristogeiton. He apprehending it (as lovers use) with a great deal of anguish and fearing the power of Hipparchus, lest he should take him away by force, fell presently, as much as his condition would permit, to a contriving how to pull down the tyranny.

[4] In the meantime Hipparchus, having again attempted Harmodius and not prevailed, intended, though not to offer him violence, yet in secret, as if forsooth he did it not for that cause, to do him some disgrace.

[5] For neither was the government otherwise heavy till then, but carried without their evil will. And to say the truth, these tyrants held virtue and wisdom in great account for a long time, and taking of the Athenians but a twentieth part of their revenues, adorned the city, managed their wars, and administered their religion worthily.

[6] In other points they were governed by the laws formerly established, save that these took a care ever to prefer to the magistracy men of their own adherence. And amongst many that had the annual office of archon, Peisistratus also had it, the son of Hippias, of the same name with his grandfather, who also, when he was archon, dedicated the altar of the twelve gods in the market place and that other in the temple of Apollo Pythius.

[7] And though the people of Athens, amplifying afterwards that altar which was in the market place, thereby defaced the inscription; yet that upon the altar that is in the temple of Apollo Pythius is to be seen still, though in letters somewhat obscure, in these words:

[1] Indeed, the daring action of Aristogiton and Harmodius was undertaken in consequence of a love affair, which I shall relate at some length, to show that the Athenians are not more accurate than the rest of the world in their accounts of their own tyrants and of the facts of their own history.

[2] Pisistratus dying at an advanced age in possession of the tyranny, was succeeded by his eldest son, Hippias, and not Hipparchus, as is vulgarly believed. Harmodius was then in the flower of youthful beauty, and Aristogiton, a citizen in the middle rank of life, was his lover and possessed him.

[3] Solicited without success by Hipparchus, son of Pisistratus, Harmodius told Aristogiton, and the enraged lover, afraid that the powerful Hipparchus might take Harmodius by force, immediately formed a design, such as his condition in life permitted, for overthrowing the tyranny.

[4] In the meantime Hipparchus, after a second solicitation of Harmodius, attended with no better success, unwilling to use violence, arranged to insult him in some covert way.

[5] Indeed, generally their government was not grievous to the multitude, or in any way odious in practice; and these tyrants cultivated wisdom and virtue as much as any, and without exacting from the Athenians more than a twentieth of their income, splendidly adorned their city, and carried on their wars, and provided sacrifices for the temples.

[6] For the rest, the city was left in full enjoyment of its existing laws, except that care was always taken to have the offices in the hands of some one of the family. Among those of them that held the yearly archonship at Athens was Pisistratus, son of the tyrant Hippias, and named after his grandfather, who dedicated during his term of office the altar to the twelve gods in the market-place, and that of Apollo in the Pythian precinct.

[7] The Athenian people afterwards built on to and lengthened the altar in the market-place, and obliterated the inscription; but that in the Pythian precinct can still be seen, though in faded letters, and is to the following effect:—

Das Wagestück des Aristogeiton und Harmodios war
nämlich nur wegen einer zufälligen Liebesgeschichte unternommen
worden, welche ich des Breiteren erzählen will, um zu zeigen, daß
weder die Andern, noch auch die Athener selbst in Betreff ihrer
Tyrannen und des damals Geschehenen die Wahrheit erzählen. Als
nämlich PeifistratoS hochbejahrt als Zwingherr gestorben war, erhielt
nicht Hipparchos, wie die'Meisten'glauben, sondern'Hippias/weil et
der Aeltere war, die Herrschaft. Nun'war damals Harmodios durch
Blüthe der Jugendschönheit ausgezeihcnet/und Aristogeiton, ein
Stadtbürger aus dem Mittelstand, war der bevorzugte Liebhaber.
Harmodios wurde aber auch von Hipparchos, dem Sohn des
Peisistratos, angegangen, ließ sich aber nicht bereden, sondern klagte es
dem Aristogeiton. Dieser nun, nach Art der Liebenden, wurde 'von
heftigem Schmerz ergriffen, und da er bei der Macht des Hipparchos
fürchtete, daß dieser den Jüngling mit Gewalt zwingen werde, ihm
zu Willen zu sein, so richtete er — so weit dieß nach seinem Stande
möglich war — allsogleich sein Dichten und Trachten auf den Sturz
der Zwingherrschaft. Indessen versuchte HipparchoS den Harmodios ¹
neuerdings, richtete aber nicht mehr aus, als vorher, und er wollte
nun zwar nicht mit Gewalt gegen ihn verfahren, dachte aber darauf,
ihm' bei irgend einer nicht auffälligen Gelegenheit, als ob es eben
nicht deßhalb wäre, einen Schimpf anzuthun, wie er denn auch sonst
in der Regierung nicht gehässig gegen die große Masse verfuhr, sondern
sich in derselben vorwurfsfrei zu benehmen wußte. Und überhaupt
hat diese Familie in ihrer Zwingherrschast gerecht und einsichtsvoll
gewaltet und von den Athenern nur den zwanzigsten Theil des
Erträgnisses erhoben, wofür sie auf eine sie ehrende Weise die Stadt
verschönerten, die Kriege durchführten und die Tempelopfer verrichteten.'
Im Uebrigen regierte sich die Stadt selber nach ihren alten Gesetzen,
abgesehen davon, daß jene immer dafür sorgten, Einen'aus ihrer
Familie in den Oberämtern zu haben. So verwaltete unter Andern
derselben auch PeisistratoS, des Zwingherrn Hippias Sohn, der den
Namen seines Großvaters führte, das einjährige Archontenamt in
Athen, und dieser ist es auch, der als Archont den Altar der zwölf
Götter auf dem Markte und den des Apollo im Tempel dieses Gottes
geweiht hat. Bei dem auf dem Marktplatze fügte das Volk später
einen größeren Anbau hinzu, wodurh cdie Inschrift vershcwand. Die
auf dem Apollo-Altar ist aber jetzt noch sichtbar und besagt in schwer
leserlichen Buchstaben das Folgende: ' - "
Hippias' Sohn, Peisistratos, hat dieß Denkmal als Archon
Hier in des Pythischen Gotts heil'gem Bezirke geweiht,r

LIV. En effet, l’entreprise audacieuse d’Aristogiton et d’Harmodius eut pour cause une aventure amoureuse. En l’exposant plus au long, je ferai voir que tous les récits, soit des étrangers, soit des Athéniens eux-mêmes, sur leurs propres tyrans et sur cet événement en particulier, sont erronés de tout point. Lorsque Pisistrate mourut en possession de la tyrannie et dans un âge avancé, ce ne fut pas, comme on le croit généralement, Hipparque, mais Hippias, son aîné, qui hérita du pouvoir. Harmodius, à la fleur de l’âge, était d’une éclatante beauté : Arislogiton, citoyen de condition moyenne, en devint amoureux et le posséda. Hipparque, fils d’Hippias, fit de son côté des propositions à Harmodius, qui les refusa et en informa Arislogiton.-Celui-ci, dans la douleur d’un amour jaloux, craignant qu’Hipparque n’usât de son pouvoir pour lui enlever de force Harmodius, forma aussitôt le dessein d’employer tout son crédit à détruire la tyrannie. Cependant Hipparque, ayant échoué dans une nouvelle tentative auprès d’Harmodius, résolut, au lieu de recourir à la violence, de lui faire affront par quelque moyen indirect et sans rien montrer du motif réel. Du reste, son administration en général n’était pas dure envers le peuple, et il évitait d’exciter les haines. Pendant longtemps même, ces tyrans pratiquèrent la vertu et la sagesse : sans exiger des Athéniens plus du vingtième du revenu, ils embellissaient la ville, supportaient les frais de la guerre, et faisaient la dépense des sacrifices. Quant au gouvernement, rien n’était changé aux anciennes lois : seulement ils avaient soin d’avoir toujours dans les premières charges quelqu’un de leur famille : c’est ainsi que plusieurs d’entre eux exercèrent à Athènes la magistrature annuelle, en particulier le fils du tyran Hippias, nommé Pisistrate comme son aïeul. C’est lui qui a élevé, sous son archontat, l'autel des douze dieux sur l’Agora, et celui d’Apollon dans le Pythium ¹ . Plus tard le peuple athénien ajouta de nouvelles constructions à celui de l’Agora pour l’agrandir et fit disparaître l’inscription; celle du Pythium, quoique fruste, est encore lisible; elle porte :

« Pisistrate, fils d’Hippias, a élevé ce monument de son archontat dans le temple d’Apollon Pythien. »

L’entreprise d’Aristogiton et d’Harmodios dut son origine à une aventure amoureuse, que je raconterai avec quelques détails, afin de montrer dans quelle ignorance sont, je ne dis pas les étrangers, mais les Athéniens eux-mêmes, au sujet de leurs propres tyrans et du trait dont il s’agit.

Après la mort de Pisistrate, qui finit vieux et dans la tyrannie, ce ne fut pas Hipparque, ainsi qu’on le croit communément, mais Hippias, qui lui succéda par droit de primogéniture. A cette époque, Harmodios était dans la fleur de l’adolescence. Aristogiton, citoyen de la classe moyenne, devint épris de lui et l'obtint. De son côté, Hipparque, fils de Pisistrate, ayant inutilement essayé de le séduire, Harmodios en avertit Aristogiton. Celui-ci, piqué de jalousie, et craignant qu’Hipparque n’eût recours à la force pour en venir à ses fins, résolut aussitôt de tout mettre en œuvre pour renverser la tyrannie.

Cependant Hipparque ayant renouvelé, sans plus de succès, sa tentative auprès d’Harmodios, ne voulut pas employer la violence; mais il prit ses mesures pour lui faire un affront indirect. L’autorité de ces tyrans n’avait rien d’oppressif pour la multitude. Pendant longtemps ils se conduisirent avec prudence et modération. Sans fouler le peuple ni exiger plus de la vingtième partie des revenus, ils embellissaient laviüe, soutenaient les guerres et faisaient les frais des sacrifices publics. L’État se gouvernait d’après les anciennes coutumes; seulement ils avaient soin que les premières magistratures fussent toujours occupées par un des leurs. C’est ainsi que plusieurs d’entre eux exercèrent la charge annuelle d’archonte, en particulier Pisistrate, qui était fils du tyran Hippias et portait le nom de son aïeul ¹ . C’est lui qui, pendant son archontat, dédia l’autel des douze dieux sur l’agora, et celui d’Apollon Pythien dans l’enceinte consacrée à cette divinité. Par la suite, le peuple ajouta de nouvelles constructions à l’autel de l’agora, et fit disparaître l’inscription ; mais celle d’Apollon Pythien est encore lisible. Elle porte ces mots en caractères à demi effacés :

Pisistrate, fils d’Hippias, a consacré ce monument de son archontat dans l’enceinte d’Apollon Pythien.

[1] Now the daring deed of Aristogeiton ¹ and Harmodius was undertaken on account of a love affair, and by relating this at some length I shall prove that neither the Hellenes at large nor even the Athenians themselves give an accurate account about their own tyrants or about this incident.

[2] For when Peisistratus died, ² as an old man, in possession of the tyranny, it was not Hipparchus, as most suppose, but Hippias, as eldest son, that succeeded to the sovereignty. And Harmodius, being then in the flower of youthful beauty, had as his lover Aristogeiton, a citizen of the middle class.

[3] An attempt to seduce him having been made by Hipparchus son of Peisistratus without success, Harmodius denounced him to Aristogeiton. And he, lover-like, deeply resented it, and fearing the power of Hipparchus, lest he might take Harmodius by force, at once plotted, with such influence as he possessed, to overthrow the tyranny.

[4] Meanwhile Hipparchus, having in a second attempt met with no better success in persuading Harmodius, although he had no intention of offering violence, yet laid a plan to insult him in some covert way, as though it were not for this reason.

[5] For he did not generally so exercise his authority as to be oppressive to the mass of the people, but maintained it without giving offence. And indeed the Peisistratidae carried the practice of virtue and discretion to a very high degree, considering that they were tyrants, and although they exacted from the Athenians only five per cent. of their incomes, not only had they embellished their city, but they also carried on its wars and provided sacrifices for the temples.

[6] In other respects the city itself enjoyed the laws before established, except in so far that the tyrants took precaution that one of their own family should always be in office. Amongst others of them who held the annual archonship at Athens was Peisistratus, a son of the Hippias who had been tyrant. He was named after his grandfather and, when he was archon, dedicated the altar of the twelve gods in the Agora and that of Apollo in the Pythian precinct.

[7] The people of Athens afterwards, in extending the length of the altar in the Agora, effaced the inscription; but that on the altar of the Pythian Apollo can still be seen in indistinct letters, reading as follows:

[1] [For the daring deed of Aristogiton and Harmodius was undertaken in consequence of a love-adventure; by relating which, at some length, I shall show that neither other people, nor the Athenians themselves, give any accurate account of their own tyrants, or of what has happened amongst them.

[2] For when Pisistratus had died at an advanced age in possession of the tyranny, it was not Hipparchus, as the generality suppose, but Hippias, that was eldest of his sons, and obtained the government. Now Harmodius being in the flower of youth and beauty, Aristogiton, a citizen of middle rank in the city, was enamoured of him, and enjoyed his favour.

[3] Harmodius, then, being solicited by Hipparchus, son of Pisistratus, and not prevailed upon, denounced him to Aristogiton. He, lover-like, being exceedingly indignant, and fearing the power of Hipparchus, lest he should take him by force, immediately formed a design, (such as he could in the position he held,) for putting down the tyranny.

[4] In the mean time Hipparchus, having again solicited Harmodius with no better success, would not indeed offer any violence to him, but prepared to insult him in some secret way or other, as though it were not on that account.

[5] For neither in his general government was he severe towards the mass of the people, but conducted it without exciting any odium; and, for tyrants, these men in the greatest degree studied virtue and intelligence; and though they exacted from the Athenians only a twentieth of their income, they adorned their city in a beautiful manner, and carried on their wars, and provided sacrifices for the temples.

[6] The state enjoyed, too, the laws which had been previously enacted, in all other respects, except that they always took care that one of their own family should hold the offices. Amongst others of them who held the yearly archonship at Athens was Pisistratus, son of the Hippias who had been tyrant, who bore his grandfather's name, and dedicated, while archon, the altar to the twelve gods in the market-place, and that of Apollo in the Pythian precinct.

[7] The Athenian people having afterwards made an addition to the length of that in the market-place, obliterated the inscription on the altar; but that in the Pythian precinct is even still visible, though in faded letters, to this purport:

[1] Nam audax illud Aristogitonis et Harmodii facinus · propter rei cujusdam ad amores pertinentis casum susceptum est, qua re ego fusius narrata demonstrabo, neque alios neque ipsos Athenienses de suis tyrannis aut de re gesta quicquam certi dicere.

[2] Quum enim Pisistratus senex in tyrannide decessisset, non Hipparchus, ut vulgo arbitrantur, sed Hippias, quod erat nalu maximus, obtinuit principatum. Quum autem Harmodius aetatis flore insignis esset, Aristogito, quidam e civibus, mediae conditionis vir, eum ut amator habebat.

[3] Hic autem Harmodius ab Hipparcho, Pisistrati filio, temptatus morem ei uoo gessit et rem ad Aristogitonem detulit. Hic vero more amatorum ingenti dolore concepto et Hipparchi potentiam extimescens, ne per vim Harmodium ad se pertraheret, protinus ita, ut in sua dignitate poterat, tyrannidem per insidias evertere conatur.

[4] Interea vero Hipparchus quum Harmodium rursus solicitasset, et nihilo magis inducere posset, nibil quidem violenti intentare destinabat, sed in loco quodam obscuro, veluti non hac de causa, eum contumelia afficere parabat.

[5] Quippe neque cetero ejus principatu multitudini gravis erat, sed citra invidiam se gesserat; et vero plurimum hi tyranni virtutem et prudentiam coluerunt, et proventuum vicesimam tantum ab Atheniensibus exigentes et urbem eorum egregie exornarunt et bella ad ministrabant et in templis sacrificia faciebant.

[6] In ceteris vero rebus civitas legibus ante latis ntebatur, praeter-qdam quod operam provide dabant, ut semper aliquis de suo ipsorum numero imperium gereret. Et qoum alii ex iis annuum imperium apud Athenienses obtinuerunt, tum Pisistratus, Hippiae ejus, qui tyrannus fuerat, filius, avi nomen ferens, [qui] quum esset archon, aram duodecim deorum in foro dedicavit, et illam, quae est Apollinis io Pythii templo.

[7] Postea vero populus Atheniensis quum amplificassel aram, quae erat in foro, inscriptionem delevi!; illius vero, quae in Pythii templo erat, etiamnum tota exstat literis evanidis paene in haec,verba :

In Pythii Phoebi Pisistratus aede locavit imperii Hippiades haec monumenta sui.

Ed invero Aristogitone ed Armodio si accinsero a quelFardito fatto a causa d’un’avventura amorosa, col narrar la quale stesamente, io intendo di mostrare che nè gli altri nè gli stessi Ateniesi nulla raccontano di esatto intorno ai loro tiranni ed a questo avvenimento. Dico adunque che venuto a morte Pisistrato già vecchio e in possesso della tirannide, gli successe nel comando non Ipparco, come si crede generalmente, ma Ippia fratello maggiore ; e che allora essendo Armodio in Bore di bellezza e gioventù, di lui innamorossi un tale Aristogitone cittadino di mezzana condizione che presso di sè lo teneva. Armodio poi tentato inutilmente da Ipparco di Pisistrato, riferì la cosa ad Aristogitone, il quale fuor di modo punto d'amore, e temendo che Ipparco usando di suo potere non avesse ad indurvelo a forza, con quel credito che godeva disegnò subito di abolir la tirannide. Frattanto Ipparco tentato nuovamente Armodio e sempre senza prò, si preparava ad oltraggiarlo in un modo coperto, senza parer di farlo per quella sua repulsa, siccome quegli che non voleva usar violenza. Conciossiachè nel resto di suo governo non era grave al popolo, ma si diportava senza mal contento de’ cittadini : e certamente tutti quei tiranni esercitarono lungamente virtù e prudenza. E benché esigessero dagli Ateniesi solo il ventesimo delle rendite, pure adornarono in bel modo la città , ed amministrarono le guerre e i sacrifizi nei templi. Del rimanente la città usava le leggi stabilite di prima, se non che essi si davano cura che fosse» sempre in carica qualcuno de’suoi. E tra gli altri che ebbero in Atene la carica annuale di arconte fu ancora Pisistrato figliolo d' Ippia stato tiranno, e chiamato col nome stesso dell' avolo ; il quale , quando era arconte , inalzò nella piazza l’altare de’dodici Dei e quello d’A pollo nel luogo sacro ad Apollo Pitio. Ed in seguito il popolo d’Atene fatta un’ aggiunta con cui estese l’altare della piazza , cancellò l’appostavi iscrizione ; ma quella d’Àpollo Pitio si scorge ancora, sebbene con caratteri sparuti, e dice cosi: