After Pisistratus regained control of Athens, he honored his agreement with Megacles by marrying his daughter. This marriage was meant to strengthen the political alliance between the two men. However, Pisistratus had private concerns. He already had several grown sons from his earlier marriage, and he feared future conflict over succession. In addition, the family of Megacles, known as the Alcmaeonidae, was believed by many to be under a religious curse. Because of this belief, Pisistratus decided that the marriage should produce no children Ephesus Daily Tour.
Pisistratus kept this decision secret. At first, his wife did not tell anyone about it. Over time, however, the truth came out. It is said that either her mother questioned her closely, or she chose to speak openly on her own. In any case, she eventually told her mother what was happening in the marriage. From there, the information reached Megacles.
The Anger of Megacles
When Megacles learned what Pisistratus had done, he was deeply offended. He felt insulted and dishonored, especially because the marriage had been part of a political agreement. His anger quickly turned into action. Without delay, Megacles put aside his old quarrels with the rival political faction. He chose to unite with his former enemies in order to remove Pisistratus from power once again.
Pisistratus soon realized that a new plot was forming against him. Knowing that his position was no longer safe, he decided to leave Athens before he could be attacked. This marked his second fall from power The Fall of Pisistratus.
Exile and a Family Council
Pisistratus fled to Eretria, where he gathered his sons and trusted supporters. There, he held a council to discuss their future. The main question was whether they should accept their loss or attempt to regain control of Athens once more.
During the discussion, the opinion of his son Hippias carried the most weight. Hippias argued strongly that they should not give up. In the end, the family agreed that they would work to recover the sovereignty of Athens.
Raising Money and Support
The first step in their plan was to secure money. Pisistratus and his sons contacted various states that were friendly to them or owed them favors from the past. These efforts were successful. They collected large amounts of money from several regions.
The city of Thebes proved to be the most generous supporter. The Thebans gave far more money than any of the other states. With these funds, Pisistratus and his supporters were able to prepare for a return to power.
Preparing for the Return
As time passed, their plans took shape. They gathered weapons, supplies, and soldiers. A group of Argive mercenaries arrived from the Peloponnese to join their cause. These professional soldiers strengthened their army and increased their confidence.
Another important supporter was a man named Lygdamis from the island of Naxos. He volunteered to help Pisistratus and showed great enthusiasm. Lygdamis provided both money and troops, proving himself a loyal ally.
A New Attempt to Regain Power
With enough funds, soldiers, and supporters, Pisistratus and his sons believed the time was right to return. Their careful planning and strong alliances prepared them for another attempt to take control of Athens. This moment marked the beginning of their final effort to restore Pisistratus to power once again.
