The Greek Tyrannies: c. 650 - 510 BC
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Pheidon of Argos.
There is some difficulty about dating the events associated with the life of King Pheidon of Argos. He is mentioned by Herodotus has having expelled the Elean presidents from the Olympian Games. It can be argued that he gave military and political support to the Pisatans who gained control of the Olympiad in either the 8th (748 BC) or 28th (668 BC) games. 668 BC seems the most likely date. However, Ephorus places Pheidon earlier than this, and Herodotus fifty years later. It is possible that Pheidon was responsible for the Argive victory over the Spartans at the battle of Hysiai in 669 BC, which was fought over the dispute between Sparta and Argos regarding the border plain of Thyrea. According to legend (as related by Ephorus) the Peloponnese was divided among the three descendants of Heracles - one brother received Messenia, the second Lacdeaimon and the third, Temenus, the Argolid. Following the death of Temenus the Argolid divided into smaller states, but Pheidon is credited with having "regained the lot of Temenus" - that is, with reuniting the Argolid under Argive rule. It is probable that Pheidon was a constitutional king who developed into a tyrant. It is arguable that this was as a result of his introduction of hoplite tactics which would also account for his victory over the Spartans. His increased power would have come through the support he enjoyed from the hoplite militia. From that basis he would have been able to overthrow the aristocratic government. However, all of this is quite speculative.
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Contents of
The Greek Tyrannies: c. 650 - 510 BC
1 The Period of Greek Tyrannies
2 Pheidon of Argos.
3 Cypselus of Corinth
4 Orthagoras of Sicyon
5 Asia Minor and Greek tryannies
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