How Do Cleisthenes Become A Greek Hero

Cleisthenes was born a noble and his birthright entitled him to certain privileges. As a child Cleisthenes grew up in an environment in which Athens was not seen as a city state that would eventually be able to grow into an Empire. Sparta was a city state with a strong military that was seen in this manner. Ancient tales and myths inspired both Cleisthenes and the greeks alike. The greek ideal was to become a real life hero, which would give any greek instant fame and glory. Heroes were considered achievers, to seize power and victory. Cleisthenes and the Greeks both were idealizing their mythical hero desiring to become one.

Greece was changing, Pisistratus took power over Athens simply by walking into the city and asking to be its ruler. He did this by saying that he had the protection of a Goddess who was a tall woman from another village. Pisistratus during this time empowered the underclass by cutting their taxes and offering them loans to build up their farms. This simple monumental change of empowerment, allowed Athens to begin to grow and prosper, economically and culturally. Cleisthenes was growing up as a noble during a time in which the lower classes were being given some power. Hippas, Pistratus’s son, was a very tyrannical ruler and Cleisthenes took his chance, the moment to gain glory and fame as a hero by overthrowing Hippias. …show more content…
It is in the Olympics, in which a meritocracy exists, class did not matter, however strength and skill to gain glory and