Clys the Knees (Usually Known as Cleisthenes)

Today we began to learn about two fascinating leaders from Greek history: Peisistratus and Cleisthenes.

Peisistratus was a tyrant who ruled Athens. The word "tyrant" has negative connotations (associations) nowadays, however Peisistratus was generally considered a fair leader who helped the people of Athens.

Cleisthenes (whose name I remember by calling him Clys the Knees) was a rival of Peisistratus and one of the founders of a fantastic new form of government: democracy. 

Here's the short video that I mentioned today, in which travel guide Rick Steves discusses the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and some of the other important landmarks in Athens:

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