546--it must, therefore, have been before that period.

But the third tyranny of Pisistratus appears to have commenced nine years afterward, viz., B.C.537.

The second tyranny probably commenced only two years before the fall of the Lydian monarchy, and seems to have lasted only a year, and during that period Croesus no longer exercised over the cities of the coast the influence he exerted with the people of Lampsacus on behalf of Miltiades; the departure of Miltiades, son of Cypselus, must therefore have been in the first tyranny, in the interval 560 B.C .-- 554 B.C., and probably at the very commencement of the reign--viz., about 550 B.C.
[237] In the East, the master of the family still sits before the door to receive visiters or transact business.
[238] Thucydides, b.vi., c.54.

The dialogue of Hipparchus, ascribed to Plato, gives a different story, but much of the same nature.

In matters of history, we cannot doubt which is the best authority, Thucydides or Plato,--especially an apocryphal Plato.
[239] Although it is probable that the patriotism of Aristogiton and Harmodius "the beloved" has been elevated in after times beyond its real standard, yet Mr.Mitford is not justified in saying that it was private revenge, and not any political motive, that induced them to conspire the death of Hippias and Hipparchus.