18/03/2024
The Tyrannicides- Harmodius and Aristogeiton:
Harmodius and Aristogeiton, These ancient Greek heroes were two lovers from the island of Evia. They were both executed in 514 B.C. for the assassination of Hipparchus, the brother of the tyrant Hippias.
This opened the way for the reforms of Cleisthenes which ushered in the first Democracy. The Athenian democrats later celebrated Harmodius and Aristogeiton as national heroes in aiding in the removal of the Athenian tyranny.
They were often used as examples of the beneficial effects of same-sex relationships. Aeschines wrote of them "just love", and as proof of the boons such love brings to lovers – who were both improved by love beyond all praise – as well as to the city."
Cleisthenes commissioned the famous statues of the Tyrannicides. These were the first Greek sculptures commissioned of human characters instead of Gods. The statues stood in the Agora at Athens, where annual offerings were presented to them. There it stood alone as special laws prohibited the er****on of any other statues in their vicinity. Upon its base was inscribed a verse by the poet Simonides:
A marvelous great light shone upon Athens when Aristogeiton and Harmodios slew Hipparchus.
