Cleisthenes of Sicyon
Cleisthenes of Sicyon was a prominent tyrant who ruled from approximately 600 to 570 BCE. He is noted for his significant impact on the cultural landscape of Sicyon, particularly during his conflicts with Argos, where he banned the recitation of Homeric epics that celebrated the Argives and stripped honors from the Argive hero Adrastus. Cleisthenes also rebranded the local tribes by assigning them new names that differed from the Dorian nomenclature used in Argos. His participation in the first Sacred Wars around 595 BCE and his victories in the chariot races at both the Pythian Games (582 BCE) and Olympia (circa 576 BCE) were key highlights of his rule. He is remembered for his grand display of wealth and power, exemplified by his dedication of significant architectural works at Delphi after his Pythian success. Cleisthenes of Sicyon is also recognized as the grandfather of the famed Athenian leader Cleisthenes and an ancestor of notable figures like Pericles and Alcibiades. Overall, his reign illustrates the ways in which a tyrant could manipulate cultural and religious narratives to consolidate power and influence.
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Cleisthenes of Sicyon
Related civilization: Archaic Greece
Major role/position: Statesman, military leader
Life
Cleisthenes (KLIS-thuh-neez) was tyrant of Sicyon (SIHS-ee-ahn) from about 600 to 570 b.c.e. At war with Argos, Cleisthenes of Sicyon banned Homer's epics because of their praise of the Argives, stripped honors from Adrastus, an Argive hero buried in Sicyon, and gave the Sicyonian tribes new names differing from the Dorian names used at Argos.
Cleisthenes took part in the first of the Sacred Wars (c. 595 b.c.e.) and won the chariot race at the Pythian Games (582 b.c.e.), after which he dedicated two buildings at Delphi. The metopes from one of these buildings are among the finest examples of archaic Greek sculpture. After winning the chariot race at Olympia (576? b.c.e.), he invited the best of the Greeks to compete for the hand of his daughter Agariste. After entertaining and testing the suitors for a full year, Cleisthenes chose Megacles of Athens as his son-in-law.
Influence
Cleisthenes’ career shows how a tyrant could use religious and cultural propaganda and illustrates a tyrant’s concern for magnificence and display. He was the grandfather of Cleisthenes of Athens and an ancestor of Pericles and Alcibiades of Athens.
Bibliography
Griffin, Aubrey. Sikyon. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1982.
Ogden, Daniel. “Cleisthenes of Sicyon, Leuster.” Classical Quarterly 43 (1993) 353-363.
Sealey, Raphael, A History of the Greek City States. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1976.