Aristagoras the Tyrant of Miletus (Ἀρισταγόρας ὁ Μιλήσιος)

Life Aristagoras was the son-in-law and deputy of Histiaeus, tyrant of Miletus under Persian rule. Acting as tyrant after Histiaeus was detained by Darius I, he instigated the Ionian Revolt (499–494 BCE) against Persia [1][2]. His motivations, per Herodotus, included pressure from exiled Naxian aristocrats and fear of Persian reprisal for a failed expedition against Naxos [1][2]. After securing aid from Athens and Eretria, the revolt initially succeeded but later faltered. Aristagoras then abdicated, advocated for isonomy, and fled to Thrace, where he died attacking a Thracian city around 497 BCE [1][2].

Works History of the Ionian Revolt – Lost. The Suda lexicon attributes to him a work in Ionic on Ionian colonization and the deeds of Histiaeus, but no fragments survive [3].

Significance Aristagoras is a pivotal figure as the catalyst for the Ionian Revolt, which Herodotus identifies as the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars [1][2]. His actions directly precipitated the Persian invasions of Greece. His strategic renunciation of tyranny for isonomy represents an early, cynical appeal to democratic ideals for political gain.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aristagoras 2. World History Encyclopedia: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ionian_Revolt/ 3. Suda Encyclopedia (via ToposText): https://topostext.org/work/240#a.3864