Cypselus

d. 627 BC

THE CITADEL OF CORINTH

Cypselus was the founder of a dynasty of tyrants from the city of Corinth. Under the rule of his family the city became powerful and prosperous. His son Periander, was considered to be one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Although Periander was highly educated and accomplished, and started his reign in a mild spirit, at length he became cruel and haughty. Periander had two sons, but one was a dunce and he feuded with the other, so neither ascended to the throne of Corinth.

Key events during the life of Cypselus:

Year	Event
	Labda hides her son in a cypselus
657 BC	Overthrew the ruling family of Corinth, the Bacchiadæ.
	Ruled Corinth harshly but prosperously for 30 years.
627 BC	The reign passed to Periander, son of Cypselus.
	Periander becomes more tyrannical and cruel. Eventually murders wife.
	Lycophoron rebels against his father and goes to live at Corcyra.
585 BC	Periander murdered when he goes to reconcile with his son.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
At Corinth in	Three Greek Children  by  Alfred J. Church
Tyrants of Corinth  in	Historical Tales: Greek  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
The Fountain of Peirene, Corinth  in The Crown of Pine	The Citadel of Corinth  in Greatest Nations - Greece

Contemporary	Short Biography
Periander	Son of Cypselus. Considered a cruel tyrant, but one of the "Seven Sages of Greece."
Thrasybulus of Miletus	Tyrant of Miletus, friend of Periander.
Lycophron	Son of Periander. Furious at his father for killing his mother.
Labda	Mother of Cypselus.