In the late 460s BC, he oversaw reforms that diminished the power of the Areopagus, a traditional bastion of conservatism, and which are considered by many modern historians to mark the beginning of the radical democracy for which Athens would become famous.
[2] Then, in 464 BC, an earthquake hit Sparta, causing a great deal of damage and indirectly resulting in the revolt of the helots.
When the Spartans failed to remove the rebel helots from their base on Mount Ithome, in Messenia, they called for help from cities that were still part of the Hellenic League, an alliance formed in 481 BC against the Persians.
Around this time, Ephialtes and his political allies began attacking the Areopagus, a council composed of former archons which was a traditionally conservative force.
All agree that his resistance was doomed to failure by the fact that his hoplite force had just been rudely dismissed by the Spartans, an action which demolished the political standing of Cimon and other pro-Spartan Athenians.
In addition, the murderers of Ephialtes did not desire to hide the body so there would be no danger of betraying the deed.”[13] Aristotle, writing c. 325 BC in his Constitution of the Athenians (25.4),[14] states that Aristodikos of Tanagra was the culprit.
It is possible that Aristodikos of Tanagra was part of an oligarchic plot; his political ally[citation needed] Pericles would go on to complete the governmental transformation and lead Athens for several decades.