Rise of Tyrannies in Greek City-States (c. 650–500 BCE)

1. Orthagoras founds tyranny at Sicyon

   Jan 1, 670 BCELabels: Orthagoras, Sicyon, Orthagorid dynasty

   • Orthagoras
   • Myron

2. Pheidon asserts personal rule in Argos

   Jan 1, 660 BCELabels: Pheidon, Argos

   • WHE Tyrant
   • Pheidon

3. Cypselus overthrows Bacchiadae at Corinth

   Jan 1, 657 BCELabels: Cypselus, Corinth, Bacchiadae

   • Britannica
   • WHE Tyrants

4. Myron succeeds at Sicyon and wins Olympia

   Jan 1, 648 BCELabels: Myron, Sicyon, Olympic dedication

   • Pausanias
   • Myron

5. Cylonian Affair: attempted tyranny in Athens

   Jan 1, 632 BCELabels: Cylon, Athens, Megara

   • Cylon
   • Theagenes

6. Theagenes becomes tyrant of Megara

   Jan 1, 630 BCELabels: Theagenes, Megara

   • Theagenes
   • Cylon

7. Periander succeeds Cypselus as tyrant

   Jan 1, 627 BCELabels: Periander, Cypselid dynasty, Corinth

   • Britannica
   • WHE Tyrant

8. Pisistratus seizes power in Athens (first time)

   Jan 1, 560 BCELabels: Pisistratus, Athens

   • WHE Pisistratus
   • Britannica

9. Pisistratus restores tyranny after victory at Pallene

   Jan 1, 546 BCELabels: Pisistratus, Battle of

   • Britannica
   • Pisistratus

10. Polycrates rules as tyrant of Samos

    Jan 1, 535 BCELabels: Polycrates, Samos

    • WHE Tyrant
    • WHE Polycrates

11. Death of Pisistratus; Pisistratids succeed in Athens

    Jan 1, 527 BCELabels: Pisistratus family, Hippias, Hipparchus

    • Britannica
    • Hippias

12. Hipparchus assassinated at the Panathenaea

    Jan 1, 514 BCELabels: Hipparchus, Harmodius, Aristogeiton

    • Hipparchus
    • 514 BC

13. Hippias expelled; Athenian tyranny ends

    Jan 1, 510 BCELabels: Hippias, Athens, Sparta

    • WHE Pisistratus
    • Cleisthenes

14. Cleisthenes launches reforms after tyranny

    Jan 1, 508 BCELabels: Cleisthenes, Athenian reforms

    • Britannica
    • Cleisthenes