During the mid seventh century BC many aristocrats attempted to establish a tyranny in their cities. An Athenian named Kylon was one of these people. Kylon was married to the daughter of Theageres, a tyrant in the nearby polis of Megara. Theageres helped Kylon in his attempt to take over Athens. Kylon was also an Olympic hero, and he used his fame to persuade the people. The Kylonians attacked Athens during the Olympic festival and were able to seize the Acropolis. This was short lived because soon the people rose against them. Kylon escaped the attack but his followers were brutally murdered. These killings had a serious impact on Athenian government for a long time after.