Agariste
Agariste, the daughter of Cleisthenes, the tyrant of Sicyon, is best known for her marriage to Megacles of Athens, which was marked by a unique contest among suitors aimed at determining her husband. As she reached marriageable age, her father organized a yearlong series of competitions where thirteen elite suitors showcased their skills and intellect. The festivities culminated in a banquet where Cleisthenes announced his choice; however, the chosen suitor, Hippocleides, infamously danced drunkenly on a table, leading to his disqualification and the proverb "It's all the same to Hippocleides." Eventually, Agariste married Megacles in accordance with Athenian rites, highlighting the political significance of aristocratic marriages during the Archaic period, which were often strategic alliances between powerful families.
Agariste’s influence primarily stemmed from her role as a mother, notably giving birth to Cleisthenes of Athens, a key figure in the establishment of democratic reforms. Her lineage continued to impact Athenian society, as her granddaughter, also named Agariste, became the mother of the famed statesman Pericles. Overall, Agariste’s life and marriage reflect the intertwining of personal and political realms in ancient Greece, underlining the societal expectations placed on women during that era.
Agariste
Related civilization: Archaic Greece
Major role/position: Noblewoman
Life
The only details known about Agariste’s (ag-uh-RIS-teh) life concern her wedding to Megacles of Athens. When she reached marriageable age, her father Cleisthenes, tyrant of Sicyon (Sikyon), conducted a yearlong contest to determine who would marry her. Thirteen suitors, the best men of Greece, competed both in the gymnasium and in discussions at dinner until Cleisthenes made his decision. At the end of the year, he threw a banquet, at which he intended to announce his choice of Hippocleides of Athens. As the night wore on, Hippocleides had too much to drink, until he began dancing on a table. Each dance became more outrageous until he stood on his head and rhythmically flailed his legs in the air. At this point, Cleisthenes told Hippocleides that he had danced away his marriage. His response became an Athenian proverb: “It’s all the same to Hippocleides.” Agariste and Megacles were then married according to the Athenian rites.
The story illustrates the political function of aristocratic marriage in the Archaic period, to foster alliances with important families in other cities. It also contains the earliest historical description of the Athenian marriage rite. Agariste’s interest in the proceedings is never mentioned, as her most important functions were to unite the two families through marriage and to bear children for her husband.
Influence
Agariste’s primary influence was in the birth of her children, one of whom was Cleisthenes of Athens, a statesman famous for his democratic reforms. Her name became a popular one among her descendants, and her granddaughter Agariste was the mother of Pericles.
Bibliography
Herodotus. The Histories. Translated by Robin Waterfield. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.