Periander

Periander (Greek: Περίανδρος ( τοῦ Κυψέλου ) ὁ Κορίνθιος - Periander ( son of Cypselus ) of the Corinthians ); † 583 BC) was since about 628 BC, tyrant of Corinth. He was one of the seven wise men, but was later replaced by Myson of Chen. He was the son of Cypselus and Kratea.

The tyrant

Periander was considered a prototype of the tyrant, tough but farsighted. Under his rule, Corinth became economic and cultural prosperity. He allegedly planned the Corinth Canal, created a strong fleet and made by far-reaching trade and combat successes ( conquest of Epidauros, Corcyra ) the biggest advantage of Corinth in ancient times. His legislative achievements included the allocation of land to poor farmers, job creation schemes, sumptuary laws and prohibition of the slave acquisition. In the dispute between Mytilene and Athens to Sigeion Periander was appointed as a judge. He decided the dispute in favor of Athens.

At the time of Periander Arion of Lesbos should have arrived in Corinth and have lived long at his court a time.

The Council of Thrasybulus

In Book V of his Histories, Herodotus reports that Periander, shortly after he had ascended the throne in Corinth, Thrasybulus of Miletus, had to ask a more experienced tyrants for advice on how to most skillfully holds on to power. This is while the messenger of Periander him his request put forward, be walking through a wheat field and have plucked out of the crowd in their amount outstanding ears. Otherwise, however, the ambassador received no response. Back in Corinth, he reported to his master of the, as he thought, inconclusive meeting with the ruler of Miletus. But Periander had understood the message and had assassinated all the outstanding personalities of the area he governed.

The transformation

Initially to have been a peaceful ruler Periander. Parthenius of Nicaea reported that his mother Kratea fell in love with him and at night in the dark crept up to him, seduced him and disappeared again before sunrise. So there was Periander their identity hidden for a while. One day, when his mother went back to him, he lit a lamp and discovered that his mother was his mistress. At first he wanted to kill her, but was finally abandoned its plan. But since that time, he turned into a violent and cruel ruler.

The family

Periander married Melissa, daughter of Procles, the tyrant of Epidaurus. With her he begat two sons Kypselos and Lycophron and a daughter. Periander killed accidentally his pregnant wife with a kick, it did not know his sons. When his sons Procles visited, revealed this secret Periander. When the sons returned, wanted Lycophron, the younger of the two, have nothing more to do with his father, he drew back and finally went to Corcyra. Because of the betrayal drew Periander against Epidaurus, conquered it and captured Procles.

As Periander was old, he wanted to hand over the government to his son Lycophron. He sent his daughter to him who should persuade him to return to Corinth. However, this was not with his father live in a city, so Periander suggested that he went to Corcyra, if Lycophron would take over the business of government in Corinth. Now he agreed, however, was before he could leave, killed by the Korkyrern who wanted to prevent that the violent Periander came to their island.

In revenge for this Periander had 300 sons of noble Korkyrer to Alyattes II bring to Sardis, to have them neutered there. But when they landed on Samos, the Samians liberated them and so they escaped this punishment.

Gnome

Periander, son of Kypselos from Corinth spoke ( Περίανδρος Κυψέλου Κορίνθιος ἔφη ):

Swell

• Diogenes Laertius, Life and teachings of the philosophers, 1, 94 - 100
• Herodotus, Histories, 1, 20; 1, 23; 3, 48-53; 5, 92; 5, 95
• Mythographus Hyginus, Fabulae, 221
• Lucian of Samosata, Dialogues of the Sea Gods 8
• Lyra graeca, Terpander Antissa.
• Parthenius of Nicaea, 17
• Pausanias, traveling in Greece, 1, 23, 1; 2, 28, 8; 10, 24, 1
• Strabo, Geographica, 600