Cypselus (redirected from Kypselos)

Cypselus

(flourished 7th century BC) Tyrant of Corinth (c. 657–627 BC). Though his mother belonged to the ruling Bacchiadae dynasty, clan members attempted to kill him at birth because his father was an outsider. When he grew up, he overthrew them and set up the first tyrant dynasty. He was encouraged in his quest for power by the oracle at Delphi. He founded colonies in northwestern Greece, administering them through his bastard sons, including his successor, Periander. Though he achieved power through demagoguery, he was reputedly so popular that he did not need a bodyguard.

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Cypselus 

Year of birth unknown; died c. 627 B.C. Tyrant of Corinth (c. 657-c. 627 B.C.).

Cypselus came to power by overthrowing the oligarchy of the Dorian aristocratic family of the Bacchiadae. His tyranny was directed against the hereditary landowning nobility, whose members he executed, drove out, or deprived of their property. At the same time, he defended the interests of the commercial and artisan classes and the peasantry, on whose support his power was based. Under his rule, Corinth flourished economically, politically, and culturally.