He governed with the same careful respect for the laws which had distinguished and strengthened the authority of his predecessor.

He even rendered himself yet more popular than Pisistratus by reducing one half the impost of a tithe on the produce of the land, which that usurper had imposed.

Notwithstanding this relief, he was enabled, by a prudent economy, to flatter the national vanity by new embellishments to the city.

In the labours of his government he was principally aided by his second brother, Hipparchus, a man of a yet more accomplished and intellectual order of mind.

But although Hippias did not alter the laws, he chose his own creatures to administer them.