222 HARMODIUS AND ARISTOGITON [vi most perfect security and without the least difficulty. Nor did he behave at all like a younger brother, who would not have known what to do » because he had not been regularly used to commands Yet Hipparchus by reason of his violent end became famous, and obtained in after ages the reputation of having been the tyrant. 56 When Hipparchus found his advances repelled by Har- modius he carried out his intention of The rest of Ihc story. . The revertge of liar- msultmg him. There was a young modius and Arista- sister of liis whom Ilipparchus and S*^"- his friends first invited to come and carry a sacred basket in a procession, and then rejected her, declaring that she had never been invited by them at all because she was unworthy. At this Harmodius was very angry, and Aristogiton, for his sake, more angry still. They and the other conspirators had already laid their preparations, but were waiting for the festival of the great Panathenaea, when the citizens who took part in the procession assembled in arms ; for to do so on any other day would have aroused suspicion. Harmodius and Aristogiton were to begin the attack, and the rest were immediately to join in, and engage with the guards. The plot had been communicated to a few only, the better to avoid detection ; but they hoped that, however few struck the blow, the crowd who would be armed, although not in the secret, would at once rise and assist in the recovery of their own liberties. 57 The day of the festival arrived, and Hippias went out Harmodius a>,d of the city to the place called the AristoffitoM, suspecting Ceramicus, where he was occupied that they have been be- ^^j^j^ j^j^ g^,j^rds ill marshalling the r>TO- t raved, leave Ilippias . ° , » . • and fall upon Hippar- ccssion. Harmodius and Anstogiton, chtis. The manner of who Were ready with their daggers, his and their deaths. stepped forward to do the deed. But seeing one of the conspirators in familiar conversation
- Or, giving a more precise sense to (w(xm : ' because he had succeeded
to the command and not been used to it.'
