Description
Aristogeiton Statue Sculpture. Harmodius (???????? / Harmódios) and Aristogeiton (???????????? / Aristogeítôn; both died 514 BC) were two men from ancient Athens. They became known as the Tyrannicides (?????????????) after they killed the Peisistratid tyrant Hipparchus, and were the preeminent symbol of democracy to ancient Athenians. Aristotle in the Constitution of Athens preserves a tradition that Aristogeiton died only after being tortured in the hope that he would reveal the names of the other conspirators. During his ordeal, personally overseen by Hippias, he feigned willingness to betray his co-conspirators, claiming only Hippias’ handshake as guarantee of safety. Upon receiving the tyrant’s hand he is reputed to have berated him for shaking the hand of his own brother’s murderer, upon which the tyrant wheeled and struck him down on the spot.[9]
