Cleisthenes

Born around 570 BC into the aristocratic Alcmaeonid clan, Cleisthenes was the younger son of Megacles and grandson of a Sicyonian tyrant. After Spartan hoplites helped overthrow the tyrant Hippias in 510 BC, Sparta's king installed a pro-Spartan oligarchy under Isagoras. Cleisthenes rallied the middle class and democrats, seized control, and survived two Spartan interventions in 508 and 506 BC. His reforms gave Athens isonomic institutions — equal rights for all citizens, though only free men and women qualified — and introduced ostracism as a check on power. He died around 508 BC, having shif…