Orthagoras
{{Short description|Ancient Greek tyrant of Sicyon}}
Orthagoras was a tyrant of ancient Sicyon in the mid-7th century BC. He founded the Orthagorid tyranny, which, according to Aristotle, was the longest-lasting tyranny in Greece (approximately 100 years). Aristot. Pol. 5.1315b
He came from an aristocratic family of Sicyon. Gifted and bold, he gained military fame and the respect of the people due to his success in the war against neighboring Pellene. Around 670 BC, he rose to power as a tyrant. Plut. De Sera 553b Some sources—particularly Aristotle—depict him as a demagogue, but this is inaccurate. In truth, he strongly supported the farmers and persecuted the old noble families. He also protected trade and craftsmanship. Plut. Mor. §7 Kordatos, p.324
His successor was his brother, Myron.
References
Bibliography
- Pausanias. Description of Greece. Translated by W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Ormerod. 4 vols. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1918. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D19%3Asection%3D1 Online at Perseus]
- Aristotle. Politics. In Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 21. Translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1944. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0058:book=5:section=1315b&highlight=orthagoras Online at Perseus]
- Plutarch. De sera numinis vindicta. Edited by Gregorius N. Bernardakis. Leipzig: Teubner, 1891. [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plut.+De+Sera+553b&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0301 Online at Perseus]
- Plutarch. Concerning Such Whom God Is Slow To Punish. In The Moralia. Translations edited by William Watson Goodwin, 1878 edition. § 7. [https://topostext.org/work/292#7 Online at ToposText]
- Helmut Berve: Tyranny between the Greeks, 2 volumes, Munich, 1967
- Loretana de Libero: The archaic tyranny, Stuttgart 1996
- Kordatos, Giannis. Great History of Greece. Athens: 20th Century. p. 324