Pisistratus was banished twice but came back each time and ruled until his death in 527 B.C. He did not change the laws of Solon, but he maintained a private army and had his friends placed in important positions in the government. His income from the silver mines at Mount Laurium were used to benefit the Athenian people by securing the Athenian grain supply, distributing land to the sons of Hektemoroi, and employing the urban poor in building projects. His reign carried on the reforms of Solon and the people became comfortable with a tyrant who brought them stability.
Following the death of Pisistratus, his sons Hipparchus and Hippias reigned until Hipparchus was murdered in 514 by a rival faction. Hippias became a paranoid and ruled cruelly until 510 when the Spartans were enlisted to come to Athens and depose him.