government of
the Few. Hence they took an active part in the overthrow of the
despots, with the intention of establishing the ancient oligarchy in
their place. But this rarely happened; and they found it impossible in
most cases to reinstate the former body of nobles in their ancient
privileges. The latter, it is true, attempted to regain them and were
supported in their attempts by Sparta. Hence arose a new struggle.
The first contest after the abolition of royalty was between oligarchy
and the despot, the next was between oligarchy and democracy.

The history of Athens affords the most striking illustration of the
different revolutions of which we have been speaking.

Little is known of Athens before the age of Solon. Its legendary tales
are few, its historical facts still fewer. Cecrops, the first ruler of
Attica, is said to have divided the country into twelve districts,
which are represented as independent communities, each governed by a
separate king. They were afterwards united into a single state, having
Athens as its capital and the seat of government. At what time this
important union was effected cannot be determined; but it is ascribed
to Theseus, as the national hero of the Athenian people.

A few generations after Theseus, the Dorians are said to have invaded
Attica. An oracle declared that they would be victorious if they
spared the life of the Athenian King; whereupon Codrus, who then
reigned at Athens, resolved to sacrifice himself for the welfare of his
country. Accordingly he went into the invaders' camp in disguise,
provoked a quarrel with one of the Dorian soldiers and was killed by
the latter. Upon learning the death of the Athenian king, the Dorians
retired from Attica without striking a blow: and the Athenians, from
respect to the memory of Codrus, abolished the title of king, and
substituted for it that of Archon or Ruler. The office, however, was
held for life, and was confined to the family of Codrus. His son Medon
was the first archon, and he was followed in the dignity by eleven
members of the family in succession. But soon after the accession
Alcmaeon, the thirteenth in descent from Medon, another change was
introduced, and the duration of the archonship was limited to ten years
(B.C. 752). The dignity was still confined to the descendants of
Medon; but in the time of Hippomenes (B.C. 714) this restriction was
removed, and the office was thrown open to all the nobles in th