Pisistratus

Pisistratus (also Peisistratus or Pesistratus) (607-528 BCE) was a Greek statesman who becames Tyrant of Athens following a (quite popular) coup and ruled from 561-528 BCE. He consolidated his power by favouring rural citizens with new land laws. Under his rule, the city prospered, too: he built an aqueduct, held great festivals and did much to beautify the city, including starting the construction of the temple of Olympian Zeus. The [Panathenaic Festival]? (reintroduced shortly before his reign) and the city Dionysia? festival flourished during his time. Athenian coinage was introduced by about 550, and may reflect policy of his, though there is no reference in contemporary documents to such. Rival factions of nobles managed to exile him twice, but he established himself to be succeeded by his sons Hippias and Hipparchus.