Polycrates: Difference between revisions

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| image = Polykrates with Pharao Amasis II.jpg

| caption = Polycrates with Pharaoh [[Amasis II]] (19th century illustration).

| reign = {{nowrap|540s -– 522 BC}}

| birth_place = [[Samos]]

| death_date = 522 BC

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|predecessor = [[Aeaces (father of Polycrates)|Aeaces I]]?

| successor = Maeandrus

| house=Aeacids
}}

'''Polycrates''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|l|ɪ|k|r|ə|ˌ|t|iː|z}}; {{lang-langx|grc-gre|Πολυκράτης}}), son of [[Aeaces (father of Polycrates)|Aeaces]], was the [[tyrant]] of [[Samos]] from the 540s BC to 522 BC. He had a reputation as both a fierce warrior and an enlightened tyrant.

== Sources ==

The main source for Polycrates' life and activities is the historian [[Herodotus]], who devotes a large section of book 3 of his ''[[Histories (Herodotus)|Histories]]'' to the rise and fall of Polycrates (3.39-60, 3.120-126). His account was written in the third quarter of the 5th century BC, nearly a century after Polycrates' death, was based mostly on oral traditions and incorporates many folk-tale elements. Furthermore, Herodotus creatively shaped his account of Polycrates in order to make general moral points and to comment on the imperialism of the [[Athenian empire]] in his own day.<ref>Carty (2005) 109-13</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=Elizabeth |title=Herodotus and Samos: Personal or Political? |journal=The Classical World |date=2009 |volume=102 |issue=4 |pages=395–416|doi=10.1353/clw.0.0115 |s2cid=154603346 }}</ref> Some poetry from Polycrates' time comments on him in passing and there is a smattering of references to Polycrates in other literary sources ranging in date from the 4th century BC to the [[Roman empireEmpire|Roman Imperial period]]. These sources preserve useful information but tend to assimilate Polycrates to a stereotypical model of the tyrannical ruler, which may be anachronistic.<ref>Carty (2015), 17-21</ref>

==Family==

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== Reign ==

=== Establishment of his power ===

In the mid-sixth century BCE, there seemswas to have beenapparently a period of civil strife in Samos. This strifeconflict is mentioned by Herodotus in the context of Polycrates' rise to power.<ref name="H339">Herodotus ''Histories'' 3.39</ref> [[John Boardman (art historian)|John Boardman]] and Graham Shipley proposedhave that there wascited archaeological evidence for serious disruption in this period. Around 550 BC, they say, funerary stele were shattered and aristocratic burials in the West Cemetery at Samos cease, while the first great [[Heraion of Samos|temple of Hera]], known as the Rhoikos temple, was destroyed - only a decade after it had beenwas built.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1017/S0003581500083128| title=Chian and Early Ionic architecture| journal=The Antiquaries Journal| volume=39| issue=3–4| pages=170–218| year=1959| last1=Boardman| first1=John| s2cid=164059218}}</ref><ref>Shipley (1987) 79</ref> However, more recent archaeological research has challenged this picture, showing that the destruction of the Rhoikos temple was a structural failure resulting from subsidence under the foundations, and that the West Cemetery fell out of use gradually over the course of the second half of the sixth century.<ref>Carty (2005) 92-93 & 102-105</ref> Aideen Carty argues that shifts in the deposition of [[Laconian vase painting|Laconian pottery]] on Samos suggest the development of pro- and anti-Spartan factions on the island, the one faction associated with the Heraion and the other with the Samian Artemision of Samos.<ref>Carty (2005) 94-102</ref>

Herodotus reports that Polycrates took power with his brothers Pantagnotus and Syloson and a force of only fifteen men.<ref>Herodotus ''Histories'' 3.39 & 3.120.</ref> This coup seems to have taken place in 540 BC or slightly earlier.<ref>Carty (2015) 75-89. [[Eusebius]] ''Chronicon'' puts this event in 533 BC, but this is generally agreed to be too late: White (1954), Cadoux (1956). Carty moves it back to c. 550 BC.</ref> Initially, Polycrates ruled along with his brothers., Butbut soon he had Pantagnotus killed and then exiled Syloson to take full control for himself.<ref name="H339"/> According to thea Roman-period author, [[Polyaenus]], there was a religious procession of the Samians in armour out of the city of Samos to the Heraion, led by Pantagnotus and Syloson. When the procession was over, the Samians removed their armour to sacrifice, and Pantagnotus and Syloson seized the chance to murder their enemies. At the same time, Polycrates seized Astypalaea, the citadel of the city of Samos, called Astypalaea. The tyrant of [[Naxos]], [[Lygdamis of Naxos|Lygdamis]], invaded with a force to support Polycrates.<ref>[http://www.attalus.org/translate/polyaenus1A.html#23.1 Polyaenus 1.23].</ref> ItHowever, it is uncertain whether Polyaenus' account describes Polycrates' initial seizure of power or the conflict with his brothers which left him as sole ruler.<ref>Carty (2005)117-20</ref>

===Thalassocracy===

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[[File:Samos, Temple of Hera, Statue of a warrior 530 BCE.jpg|thumb|Samos, Temple of Hera, Statue of a warrior, 530 BC]]

[[File:Polycrates leaving his daughter to encounter Oroetus.jpg|thumb|Polycrates leaving his daughter to encounter Oroetus.]]

Herodotus states that Polycrates later established a fleet of 40 [[trireme]]s, probably becoming the first Greek state with a fleet of such ships, which he crewed with sailors he considered to be politically dangerous, and sent to the [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian]] king [[Cambyses II|Cambyses]] with instructions to put the crews to death.<ref>Herodotus, ''Histories'' 3.39</ref> Modern scholars consider this story unlikely.<ref>Carty (2005) 136</ref> The dispatch of these ships is usually connected with the [[Battle of Pelusium (525 BC)|Persian invasion of Egypt]] in 525 BC. HermannHerman Wallinga argues that the ships were built at Amasis' expense, crewed by Polycrates, and sent by him to fight against the Persians.<ref>H. T. Wallinga, ''Ships and Sea-Power before the Great Persian War'' (1993), 88 and 117.</ref> By contrast, [[Hans Van Wees]] thinks that this fleet was a gift from the Persians, crewed by Polycrates, in order to assist the Persians ''against'' Amasis.<ref>H. Van Wees, ''Greek Warfare'' (2004), 306 n. 19</ref>

The naval detachment turned back to attack Polycrates. They defeated him at sea but could not take the island. The rebels then sailed to mainland [[Greece]] and allied with [[Sparta]] and [[Corinth, Greece|Corinth]]. Sparta and Corinth invaded the island of Samos in support of the Samian rebels around 520 BC. After 40 days they withdrew their unsuccessful siege.<ref name="Routledge">{{cite book |last1=Hart |first1=John |title=Herodotus and Greek History (Routledge Revivals) |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317678373 |page=88 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPVQAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT88 |language=en}}</ref>

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===Persian invasion and death===

Herodotus also tells the story of Polycrates' death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199997329/student/archives/herodotus_polycrates/|title=Herodotus (Polycrates)|website=global.oup.com|access-date=2018-04-14|archive-date=2018-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730110548/https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199997329/student/archives/herodotus_polycrates/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Near the end of the reign of Cambyses (around 522 BC), the [[satrap]] of [[Sardis]], [[Oroetes]], planned to kill Polycrates, either because he had been unable to add Samos to Persia's territory, or because Polycrates had snubbed a Persian ambassador. Prior to this, according to Diodorus Siculus, some Lydians fleeing Oroestes' domineering rule sought sanctuary on Samos. Polycrates at first received them, but then put them to the sword and confiscated the possessions that they had brought (Diodorus Siculus, Library 10.16.4). Polycrates was invited to [[Magnesia on the Maeander|Magnesia]], where Oroetes lived. Oroetes claimed that he wanted a promise of refuge on Samos in the event that Cambyses turned on him and that in return he would give Polycrates a large amount of money. Polycrates was convinced and went to Magnesia, where he was assassinated. Herodotus is vague about the manner of Polycrates' death, saying only that it was an undignified end for a glorious ruler; he may have been [[impalement|impaled]] and his dead body was [[crucifixion|crucified]].<ref>Herodotus, ''Histories'' 3.125.3</ref> Herodotus claims that Polycrates' daughter warned him not to go to Magnesia, reporting a prophetic dream that she had had of him hanging in the air, being washed by [[Zeus]] and anointed by the sun god [[Helios]]. His death fulfilled this prophecy as when it rained he was 'washed by Zeus' and when the sun shone he was 'anointed by Helios', as the moisture was sweated from him.<ref>Herodotus, ''Histories'' 3.126</ref>

After the murder of Polycrates by Oroetes, Samos was ruled by [[Maeandrius]].<ref name="Routledge"/> After some time, [[Syloson]], the brother of Polycrates, was installed as governor of [[Samos]] by [[Achaemenid]] ruler [[Darius I]], receiving the help of general [[Otanes]] to expel the impostor who had taken control after Oroetes.<ref>Herodotus, iii.142-144.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Dandamaev|first1=M. A.|author-link1=Muhammad Dandamayev|title=A Political History of the Achaemenid Empire|date=1989|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004091726|page=148|quote=The island was plundered and incorporated into the Achaemenid empire. Syloson was appointed as its vassal ruler.}}</ref>

==Samos under Polycrates==

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*{{cite book |last1=Carty |first1=Aideen |title=Polycrates, Tyrant of Samos: New Light on Archaic Greece |date=2015 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |___location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783515108980}}

*{{cite book |last1=Shipley |first1=Graham |title=A History of Samos: 800-188 BC |date=1987}}

*{{cite journal |last1=Cadoux |first1=T. J. |title=The Duration of the Samian Tyranny |journal=Journal of Hellenic Studies |date=1956 |volume=76 |pages=1–99105–106|doi=10.2307/629559 |jstor=629559 |s2cid=163184237 }}

*{{cite journal |last1=White |first1=M. |title=The Duration of the Samian Tyranny |journal=Journal of Hellenic Studies |date=1954 |volume=74 |pages=36–43|doi=10.2307/627553 |jstor=627553 |s2cid=161276674 }}

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==External links==

* [http://www.livius.org Livius], [https://www.livius.org/pn-po/polycrates/polycrates.html Polycrates of Samos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227013039/http://www.livius.org/pn-po/polycrates/polycrates.html |date=2013-02-27 }} by Jona Lendering

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:6th-century BC Greek people]]

[[Category:Ancient Samians]]

[[Category:Ancient Greek rulersmonarchs]]

[[Category:People executed by crucifixion]]

[[Category:Executed ancient Greek people]]

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[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]

[[Category:ATU 700-749]]

[[Category:522520s BC deaths]]