Isagoras
Isagoras
Lived in the late sixth century B.C. Leader of one of the aristocratic groups in Athens; an opponent of Cleisthenes.
In 508, as first archon, Isagoras called on the aid of the Spartan king Cleomenes and succeeded in exiling Cleisthenes and his followers. However, Cleomenes’ attempt to abolish the Council of 500 (boule), which had been created by Cleisthenes, and to hand over power to Isagoras and his confederates provoked rebellion in Athens. Cleomenes and Isagoras fortified themselves in the Acropolis and were besieged there. Forced to capitulate, they were able to extract the condition that the Spartan troops could withdraw safely. Isagoras left Athens with Cleomenes, and Cleisthenes completed the democratic transformations that he had begun.
REFERENCES
Zel’in, K. K. Bor’ba politicheskikh gruppirovok v Attike v VI v. do n. e. Moscow, 1964.Hignett, C. A History of the Athenian Constitution to the End of the FifthCentury B.C. Oxford, 1962.