Polycrates: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:41, 15 October 2020

Revision as of 14:42, 15 October 2020

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==Family==

Polycrates' family background is not clearly known to us. J.P. Barron proposed that Polycrates' ancestors formed a dynasty that ruled Samos from around 600 BC.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barron |first1=John P. |title=The Sixth-Century Tyranny at Samos |journal=The Classical Quarterly |date=1964 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=210–229 |jstor=637725 |doi=10.1017/S0009838800023764 }}</ref> A shadowy figure, [[Syloson (son of Calliteles)|Syloson, son of Calliteles]] might have been the founder of this dynasty. Barron further proposed that Polycrates' father, [[Aeaces (father of Polycrates)|Aeaces]], ruled Samos around the middle of the sixth century. An inscription survives from this period, in which hean individual called Aeaces dedicates some plunder to [[Hera]].<ref>[https://epigraphy.packhum.org/text/344333?&bookid=874&___location=167 ''IG'' XII.6.2 561]</ref> Barron's analysis was broadly accepted by [[Graham Shipley]], but has been challenged by Aideen Carty.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shipley |first1=Graham J. |title=A History of Samos, 800-188 BC |date=1987 |publisher=Oxford University Press |___location=Oxford |isbn=9780198148685|pages=40–1 & 69}}</ref><ref>Carty (2015) 23-66.</ref>

Polycrates had two brothers, [[Pantagnotus]] and [[Syloson]], who were originally his co-rulers. Syloson ruled Samos again after Polycrates' death, and was succeeded by his own son, [[Aeaces (son of Syloson)|Aeaces]]. Herodotus mentions a daughter in his account of Polycrates' death.