Ephialtes

Assassinated in 461 BCE in Athens by Aristodicus of Tanagra, paying with his life for the democratic reforms that stripped the aristocratic Areopagus council of power.

Overview

Ephialtes led the radical democratic faction in Athens after the Persian Wars. Against conservative resistance he carried measures in 462 to 461 BCE that removed most of the political powers of the Areopagus, the aristocratic council that had dominated the state, transferring jurisdiction to the popular courts and the assembly. The reform marked the decisive step toward radical Athenian democracy. Shortly afterward he was killed at night, according to Aristotle by one Aristodicus of Tanagra. The murder was never solved and no political faction was formally blamed, but ancient readers assumed the motive was political revenge. His younger ally Pericles continued and extended the democratic program, making Ephialtes one of history less remembered but pivotal martyrs of constitutional change.