Pisistratus, << py SIHS truh tuhs >> , was a tyrant (absolute ruler) of ancient Athens. He was a member of the Athenian nobility. Pisistratus seized control of Athens twice by means of trickery, around 561 and 556 B.C., but both times he was quickly forced to give up power. From about 556 to 546 B.C., he lived in exile in Macedonia, where he built a private army. Around 546 B.C., he defeated Athenian forces in battle. He then ruled Athens until his death. Pisistratus proved a popular ruler. During his rule, Athens began to develop as a cultural center of Greece. Pisistratus built splendid temples and other public buildings, held grand festivals, and encouraged poets and artists to live in Athens. Pisistratus died in 528 or 527 B.C. See also Athens (Earliest times) ; Hipparchus ; Library (Ancient libraries of papyrus) .
