Although the parallels between modern political events and ancient history are often referred to, I realized that many readers may not have been exposed to the ancient episodes that are mentioned.  One of the first people who earned the title of ‘tyrant’ was the Greek ruler Pisistratus. He earned his position through family connections and giving money to key individuals in Athens.

After gaining some notoriety, he came up with a plan. His plan was to have bruises inflicted on himself. After self-inflicitng some wounds, he asked the government in Athens for a personal bodyguard.  The citizens of Athens accented to his request. Since he was popular the people listened to him and ignored his opponents. Eventually he set himself up as not only a political authority, but also a spiritual authority as well, having moved his headquarters to the Acropolis. Between the combination of his policies and the persistence of his opponents, he was forced out of office and out of town.

Pisistratus was not a person to stay out of the limelight. He concocted another plan to regain office. In this one, he came into town as an emissary of the gods. He had some story about how the attractive woman who was riding his his chariot was Athena herself. The people fell for it. This time, he was smart enough to demand that for the public good, all the people of Athens be disarmed. Now that the population was disarmed, he and his political machine ruled Athens until his death. During his reign, he instituted many government public works, educational and arts programs. Since his regime spread education through larger parts of Greece, there are some historians that regard him as a wise ruler, even though his reign essentially eliminated freedom for many years.

What can we learn from such a man as Pisistratus?

1. Don’t trust politicians who use family connections for office.

2. Don’t trust politicians who buy their way into office.

3. It is not beyond politicians to conduct self-injury (black-flag) episodes to further their political agenda.

4. Beware of politicians that want to restrict or eliminate weapons as a way to promote peace for the public good.

5. Government programs come with a price tag in dollars and liberty lost.

6. Academicians are cheerleaders for centralized state control whether ancient or modern. In Pisistratus’ case, by supporting the central government, they were given choice government jobs.

7. When politicians want your guns, you are surrendering your liberty.

This will help in understanding #5 of the Chattanooga Declaration statements. “The American Empire is no longer a nation or a republic, but has become a tyrant aggressive abroad and despotic at home. ”

Free Texas!

Free the South!

J Murrah

Chattanooga Declaration, Culture, despot, gun control, pisistratus, Political Well Being, tyrant, tyrants

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