es, and Eu-rip'i-des, and the comedies
or funny plays of Ar-is-toph'a-nes.

XXXVI. THE TYRANT PISISTRATUS.

Not very long after Solon had given the new laws to the Athenians, the
two political parties of the city again began to quarrel. One of these
parties was composed wholly of rich men and nobles, or _aristoi_, from
which Greek word is formed our English word "aristocrat;" the other
party included the farmers and poor people, or _demos_, the Greek term
which has given rise to the word "democrat."

Among the aristocrats, or nobles, there was a nephew of Solon called
Pi-sis'tra-tus. He was very rich; but, instead of upholding his own
party, he seemed to scorn the rich, and always sided with the poor. To
make friends with the democrats, he pretended to obey the laws with the
greatest care, and addressed every man with the utmost politeness.

Once, having killed a man by accident, Pisistratus came of his own free
will before the judges of the Areopagus, confessed his crime, and was so
humble that he quite disarmed the anger of the people.

As soon as he felt quite sure that he had won many friends among the
poor, Pisistratus appeared one day in the market place, covered with
blood, which flowed from slight wounds which he had made upon his own
body.

His polite manners and kindly words had been only a pretense, however;
and he was not only a hypocrite, but also a liar. So he now said that
the aristocrats had tried to kill him because he was the friend of the
people.

In proof of these words, he pointed to his wounds. The poorer
Athenians, who believed him, were very indignant, and began to talk
angrily about the wicked nobles, who had hurt Pisistratus only because
he was ready to help them.

When Pisistratus cried out that his life was no longer safe, all the
democrats exclaimed that they would protect him; and, as they had the
right of voting, they then and there said that he should have a
bodyguard of fifty armed men to protect him.

Pisistratus pretended to be very grateful for this favor, and, under
pretext of choosing his bodyguard, engaged a great number of soldiers.
When his plans were all ready, he took possession of the Acropolis by
force.

The people now found out, but too late, that Pisistratus had deceived
them only to get more power; and that, thanks to the guard they had
voted him, he had become master of the town, and held the reins of the
government.

The Athenians did not long rema