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Who wrote the main source that scholars use for information regarding Peisistratus?

Herodotus. There are very few mentions of Peisistratus and his rule over Athens, but the best source for this material appears in Herodotus's Histories.

What were the names of Peisistratus' sons?

Hippias and Hipparchus & hippias and hipparchus & hipparchus and hippias & Hipparchus and Hippias. More on these two later!

Peisistratus' close friend was the long time archon of Athens. Who was he?

Solon. Solon was powerless to stop his friend from becoming tyrannt after his retirement from public life.

On how many different occasions did Peisistratus take control over Athens?

Three. Twice he used trickery, and once he used the simple tactic of 'my army is bigger than your army'.

After Peisistratus died in 527 BC, his two sons took over control of Athens jointly. During a botched assasination plot, one was killed and one survived. Which brother was killed?

Hipparchus. Hipparchus made advances to one young gentleman. When his advances were spurned, he refused to let this man's neice participate in the panathenia festival to honor the god Athena. It was this that led to the plot being hatched. After Hipparchus's death, Hippias became even more paranoid, executing or banishing entire families from Athens.

There have been many comparisons between the reigns of Pericles and Peisistratus. In what year did Pericles die?

429 BC. Pericles died from the plague that consumed much of Athens in the late 5th century. It also killed his son, his sister, and many of his close friends.

Who was the first elected archon of Athens after the death of Hippias in 510 BC?

Isagoras. Isagoras ruled for two short years. Next was Cleisthenes, credited with 'discovering' democracy. Then Themistocles circa 500 BC. Cimon was Archon from 470 BC to 461 BC.

The rise of Athens during the reign of Pericles has been well documented. Pericles had something moved in 454 BC that gave Athens the monetary means to start an empire. What was moved?

The Delian League Treasury. Moving the treasury to Athens had a profound effect on Greek history. Pericles was able to pay for the improvements on the acropolis. The ruins that survive on the acropolis today were mostly built during this time, using this money. The treasury had been held on the island of Delos.

Who was the ruler of Athens after the death of Pericles in 429 BC?

Cleon. Cleon ruled Athens from 429 BC until his death in 422 BC. He was the son of a tanner, and his probable profession was a Lyre maker. His reign was marked by internal struggle and strife. The people of Athens did not respect him because of his modest beginings. He was the most outspoken opponent of Pericles throughout his reign.

In a campaign against the Island of Samos in 440 BC, which great ancient Greek poet fought alongside Pericles?

Sophocles. Sophocles, along with many other famous artist were among those in Pericles's inner circle of friends. This circle included Phidias, the great sculptor, and Democritus the philosopher.