Aristocrates of Athens

Aristocrates was an ancient Athenian of wealth and influence, the son of Scellias, who attached himself to the oligarchical party that attained power in the anti-democratic coup in 411 BCE, and was a member of its government, the Four Hundred. Despite this, Aristocrates was, with Theramenes, also the main instrument in overthrowing this body. The playwright Aristophanes refers to him in his play The Birds with a punning allusion to his name and politics.