Cylon

The first reliably dated event in Athenian history, the Cylonian affair was an attempted coup in 632 BC by the prominent Athenian Cylon. Cylon and his group attempted to seize power but were opposed. They took refuge in Athena's temple and, according to Plutarch, were persuaded by other prominent Athenians to leave the temple and stand trial. In an effort to ensure their safety, the accused tied a rope to the temple's statue and went to trial. Alas, on the way the rope (again, according to Plutarch) broke of its own accord. The Athenians took this as the goddess' repudiation of her suppliants and proceeded to stone them.

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Not to be confused with the Cylons[?], fictional robots in the TV series Battlestar Galactica.