Politics in Myth

Mythology can mean many different things. Having a knowledge of mythology in ancient Greece like in ancient Rome where u were known to have ‘culture capital’ showed you to be intelligent. Peisistratus was a tyrant in Athens in 560 BC. He achieved success in the war against Megara and managed to gain control of the whole of Athens.

He demonstrated knowledge of mythology to further his career. He usually associated himself with the Greek hero Herakles. Herakles was a strong powerful god and was seen as someone between tyrant and hero. Thus by associating himself with Herakles Peisistratus is presenting himself as strong and humble. However historian Cook says that Herakles was a “notoriously violent and aggressive hero”. This would not have been a suitable match for a leader that wanted to show himself as peaceful and loving. Herakles made a lot of mistakes and many a time killed the wrong people. Is this really the image Peisistratus wanted to the Athenian people to see? However my sowing himself to be as ‘strong’ and ‘humble’ as Herakles but not as violent, Peisistratus is showing himself to be better that Herakles. Also to stay on top and stay in power sometimes leader have to be ‘aggressive’ Boardman also states that Herakles was “notoriously violent and aggressive hero”, thus this image would have been acceptable to Peisistratus.

Peisistratus overall was seen as good leader. He did not impose any heavy burdens on the people and generally preserved peace abroad and at home. Is time in power has come to be known as the ‘golden age’. Athens situation eventually deteriorated when his sons took over.[1]

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[1] Plato Statesman (271c-72c) and Laws (713b-e)