Cypselus facts for kids

Cypselus (Greek: Κύψελος, Kypselos) was the very first tyrant of Corinth in the 7th century BC. A tyrant in ancient Greece was a ruler who took power, usually with public support, rather than inheriting it. They often kept existing laws and customs, bringing stability to their city-state.

Who Was Cypselus?

Cypselus was born before 670 BC in Corinth. His father was Eëtion, and his mother was Labda. Labda was part of the Bacchiadae family, who were the ruling group in Corinth before Cypselus.

How Cypselus Became Ruler

Before Cypselus, Corinth was ruled by the Bacchiadae family. After their last king, Telestes, was killed, the Bacchiadae ruled for one year each.

According to the ancient Greek writer Herodotus, the Bacchiadae received a prophecy. It said that Eëtion's son would overthrow their rule. Because of this, they planned to kill baby Cypselus when he was born.

However, Herodotus tells a story that the baby smiled at the men sent to kill him. This made them unable to go through with their plan. Labda, Cypselus's mother, then hid him in a chest (a kypsele). When the men returned, they couldn't find him. This story explains how Cypselus got his name.

The Famous Chest of Cypselus

The chest where Cypselus was hidden became very famous. It was made of cedar wood and beautifully decorated. It had stories from Greek myths carved into it, along with ivory and gold. This special chest was later given as an offering at Olympia. A writer named Pausanias described it in great detail in his travel guide from the 2nd century AD.

Cypselus Takes Power

As Cypselus grew up, he fulfilled the prophecy. Around 657 BC, Corinth was having problems. The city was fighting wars with Argos and Corcyra. Many Corinthians were unhappy with their current rulers.

At this time, Cypselus was the polemarch. This was a military leader, like a general. He used his influence with the soldiers to remove the Bacchiadae from power. He also sent his other enemies away. However, he allowed them to start new colonies in northwestern Greece.

Cypselus also helped Corinth's economy. He increased trade with colonies in Italy and Sicily.

Cypselus's Reign and Legacy

Cypselus ruled Corinth for thirty years. He died in 627 BC. His son, Periander, then became the next tyrant of Corinth. Periander was known as one of the Seven Sages of Greece, a group of wise men.

Cypselus also built a special treasury building at Delphi. This building was still standing when Herodotus wrote about it.

Cypselus's Family

Besides Periander, Cypselus had another son named Gorgus. Gorgus became the ruler of Ambracia, which was a Corinthian colony. Gorgus's son, Periander of Ambracia, followed him as ruler there.

Another grandson of Cypselus, named Psammetich, later became the last tyrant of Corinth after Periander.