v57_0115 - ATTICA - ATHENS Drachme

ATTICA - ATHENS

(6th century BC)

The foundation of Athens is mythical. The history of the city begins with Solon when in 594 BC, he undertook the political and economic reforms necessary for the development of the city. after the departure of Solon, the history of Athens knows vicissitudes until Peisistratus seizes the power in 561 before J. - C. and installs the tyranny. He retained power until his death in 527 BC. His sons Hipparchus (527-514 BC) and Hippias (514-510 BC) succeeded him (the Pisistratids) . The eviction of the last son of Peisistratus in 510 BC allowed the establishment of a democratic regime. This birth of Democracy was accompanied by the introduction of a new monetary type with the head of Athena and the owl. "The owls" of Athens would very quickly dominate the Greek world during the nascent 5th century..