A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

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136 Ath ens
struction of innocent persons and their own friends,
The tyranny
becomes
harsh.
lb. 19.
Fall of the
tyranny.
though as some say, he did not deceive but actually informed
against his accomplices.
Lastly as he was unable,
whatever he did, to find death, he proposed to denounce
many others, and after persuading Hippias to give him
his right hand as a pledge, he grasped it, at the same time
reproaching Hippias with having offered his hand to the
murderer of his brother. In this way he so exasperated
Hippias that the latter could not restrain his wrath but
drew his dagger and killed him.
From these events it resulted that the tyranny became
far harsher; for in taking vengeance for his brother and in
slaying and banishing many citizens, Hippias became
distrustful and embittered toward all. About the fourth
year after the death of Hipparchus, as his affairs in
the
city were in a bad condition, he undertook the fortification
of Munychia with the idea of changing his residence to
that place.
While engaged in this work he w^as expelled by Cleomenes,
king of the Lacedaemonians, inasmuch as oracles
were continually given to the Laconians to the effect that
they should abolish the tyranny. The reason for the
oracles is as follows. The exiles, led by Alcmeonidas,
were unable by their own means to effect their return.
In all their other undertakings they failed and particularly
when they fortified Leipsydrium on Mount Parnes wdthin
the country of Attica.
Here, joined by certain men from
the city, they were besieged by the tyrants, wherefore
after their disaster people used to sing in skolia:
"Alas, Leipsydrium, traitor to your friends, hiow good the men you
slew, how brave in fight, how nobly born! They showed in that fray
their illustrious parentage."
Having failed in everything else, they contracted to