Alcmaeonidae

Noble family of ancient Athens; its members included Pericles and Alcibiades.

As a result of Megacles' treatment of the insurgents under Cylon 612 BC, the Alcmaeonidae were accused of sacrilege and were exiled from Athens about 595. About 560 they returned, but were again expelled by Pisistratus. In 548 they agreed to rebuild the temple of Delphi, and won great popularity throughout Greece by executing the work in a style of grandeur much exceeding their obligations under the agreement. They must have returned to Athens by 525, when Cleisthenes (or Alcmaeonid) was archon. Hippias expelled them again, but they returned after his fall 510. They now joined the popular party, and Cleisthenes, who was then the head of the family, gave Athens a new constitution.