[163] Schol. in Nub. Meurs. Pisistratus. This story is told of Cimon, the father of Miltiades, instead of Megacles, by Herodotus, vi. 103. [164] Or Pallas, the Latin Minerva. [165] Herod. i. 60. [166] Plut. vit. Solon. [167] Meursius, Pisistratus. [168] Meurs. Pisistratus. [169] He is accused, however, of having interpolated several lines to gratify Athenian vanity, and one with a deeper view; that, namely, which says of Ajax, that he ranged his own alongside of the Athenian ships (Il. ii. 558) with the purpose of strengthening Athens’ claim to Salamis, then hotly contested by Megara. The Megarian versions said, on the other hand, that Ajax led ships from Salamis, and from Polichne, Nisæa, and other towns of Megaris. Both this trick, and the credit of collecting Homer’s poems, are ascribed by other authors to Solon. Some eminent modern scholars have doubted whether this arrangement and revision ever took place.—See Knight, Proleg. ad Hom. § 4, 5. [170] Much doubt has arisen which of these was the elder. Thucydides says, contrary to the general opinion, that it was Hippias, and he seems to be corroborated by Herodotus; but it is a question of no importance, and not worth discussion. Pisistratus left a third legitimate son, named Thessalus, of whom scarce any mention is made in history, and a natural son, Hegesistratus, established by his father as tyrant of Sigeum, on the Hellespont. [171] Statues of Hermes, the Latin Mercury, consisting of a square pillar surmounted by a head of the god. [172] A space in the city, surrounded by public buildings, in which the people usually held their meetings. [173] Ad. Att. lib. ix. 10. [174] In modern language this would be the town–hall. There was a table kept here for the Prytanes (the officers presiding in the senate for the time being), and to have the right of eating here (_σίτησις ἐν Πρυτανείῳ_) was one of the greatest honours that his country could bestow on an Athenian. [175] Allusions to the affection with which these patriots were regarded, both generally and with reference to this custom, are frequent in Aristophanes.—See _Ἱππ_ 786, _Ἀχαρν_. 980, _Σφ_. 1225.