Thucydides outlines two reasons that provoked both Harmodius and Aristogeiton to act in such a violent manner. At this particular time, Peisistratus had died and Hipparchus’ brother, Hippias, had succeeded him, although it seems that both may have shared in the governance. We shall examine each cause separately.
A romantic threat
“The daring action … was undertaken in consequence of a love affair.” As stated above, Hipparchus made advances on Harmodius, who was “in the flower of youthful beauty”, but those advances were rejected. Harmodius, possibly flattered by the interest shown in him from one in such a high station, informed his lover, Aristogeiton, of the incident and of his subsequent fidelity. Aristogeiton, though, became “an enraged lover”. His anger was further inflamed as Hipparchus continued his attempts to solicit Harmodius (Thucydides 6.54.1).
Such efforts to steal Harmodius away generated in Aristogeiton some specific and understandable fears. Aristogeiton’s status is described as “a citizen
