Polycrates (r. c. 535-522 BCE) was the tyrant of Samos who established Samian naval supremacy in the eastern Aegean and strove for control of the Aegean Sea and mainland towns of Ionia in the 6th century BCE. Polycrates had a successful career until the Persian Oroetus (r. c. 530-520 BCE) lured him to the mainland and had him crucified.
More about: PolycratesServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$15636 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
535 BCE - 522 BCEPolycrates rules as tyrant of Samos.
-
525 BCESparta and Corinth unsuccessfully attack Polycrates of Samos.
-
522 BCEPersian satrap Oroetus takes Samos and the tyrant Polycrates is crucified.
-
c. 520 BCEA new temple is built and dedicated to Hera on Samos during the reign of Polycrates.
