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Mahaffy (Social Life in Greece, 144) draws attention to this picture of the old Attic country life (cf. Thuc. ii. 15-7).


τηνικαῦτα: during Pisistratus' first tyranny (i. 64), while Croesus still reigned (ch. 37), i. e. circ. 558 B. C.

ἐδυνάστευε. In H. a vague term applied to a powerful city (v. 97. 1) or to prominent individuals (39. 2), even if they were subjects of a tyrant. The technical sense of δυναστεία, narrow and despotic oligarchy (Thuc. iii. 62, iv. 78; Ar. Pol. 1293 a 31), belongs to a more advanced political science.

τεθριπποτρόφου: a sign of wealth (chs. 36, 103, 122, v. 77. 2 n.; Arist. Nub. 13 f.).

Pausanias (i. 35. 2) makes Philaeus the son of Eurysaces, the only son of Ajax recognized by Sophocles, but Plutarch (Solon 10), with Herodotus, Hellanicus, and Pherecydes, regards him as the son of Ajax. Further, he makes the brothers, Philaeus and Eurysaces, surrender Salamis to Athens, Philaeus settling in Brauron, where the deme Philaidae lay.


αἰχμάς: the wearing of arms had passed out of use (Thuc. i. 6).

The Dolonci may have seen in the encouragement of a Greek colony their only hope of resisting the Apsinthii; but probably the initiative came from Athens. Pisistratus was fully alive to the importance of Thrace and the Hellespont (i. 64; v. 94, 95; Appendix XVI, § 8). Miltiades in the Chersonese might prove a useful vassal of the ruler of Athens, in Attica he would have been discontented, and perhaps disloyal. The removal of dangerous citizens was part of the policy of despots. Cf. the pilgrim fathers in America.

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hide References (5 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (5):
    • Aristophanes, Clouds, 13
    • Aristotle, Politics, 4.1293a
    • Thucydides, Histories, 1.6
    • Thucydides, Histories, 3.62
    • Thucydides, Histories, 2.15.-7
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