The Rise of Tyranny in Ancient Greece

ACTIVITY 2 The Rise of Tyranny in Ancient Greece Read the following excerpts from the writings of two ancient historians-Herodotus and Plutarch. Then answer the questions. Herodotus Describes Tyranny Coming to Corinth . . . Sosicles the Corinthian . . . exclaimed-"[Since you, Lacedaemonians [people from the area around the Greek city-state of Sparta], propose to put down free governments in the cities of Greece, and to set up tyrannies in their room [stead].

There is nothing in the whole world so unjust, nothing so bloody, as a tyranny. .. . If you knew what tyranny was as well as ourselves, you would be better advised than you now are in regard to it.

The government at Corinth was once an oligarchy-a single race, called Bacchiadae, who intermarried only among themselves, held the management of affairs. . . . Action’s [one of the Bacchiadae] son grew up, and, in re- membrance of the danger from which he had excaped, was named Cypselus. .. . [He] became master of Corinth.

Having thus got the tyranny, he showed himself a harsh ruler-many of the Corinthians he drove into banishment, many he deprived of his fortunes, and a still greater number of their lives. His reign lasted thirty years, and was prosperous to its close; insomuch that he left the government to Periander, his son. . ..

Where Cypselus had spared any, and had neither put them to death nor banished them, Periander completed what his father had left unfinished." Herodotus, The Histories. Public domain. 1. What type of government did the Lacedaemonians propose to substitute for the free governments they were planning to defeat? ent 2. What form of government did Corinth have before it fell under the rule of tyranny?. 3. What did Cypselus do once he became tyrant over Corinth?

4. What kind of ruler was Cypselus’s son, Periander? (continued on next page) 13