Phalaris facts for kids
Phalaris was a powerful ruler, known as a tyrant, of an ancient city called Akragas (today known as Agrigento) in Sicily. He ruled from about 570 BC to 554 BC.
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Phalaris's Rule in Akragas
Phalaris became the leader of Akragas by taking advantage of his job. He was in charge of building a temple for the god Zeus. He used this position to gain total control of the city. Under his rule, Akragas grew and became very successful.
City Improvements
Phalaris made many improvements to Akragas. He made sure the city had a good water supply. He also built beautiful buildings and made the city's walls stronger. This helped Akragas become a powerful place.
Expanding His Power
Phalaris's influence grew beyond Akragas. The people of Himera, another city on the island's northern coast, chose him as their general. This gave him absolute power over them. Some stories say he even managed to control the entire island of Sicily.
His Cruel Reputation
Phalaris was known for being very cruel. He used a terrible device called a brazen bull. This was a hollow statue of a bull made of bronze. It was used as a way to punish people.
His Downfall
Eventually, the people of Akragas had enough of Phalaris's rule. A general uprising began, led by a man named Telemachus. Phalaris was finally overthrown. He was put to death using the very same brazen bull he had used on others.
The Brazen Bull's Journey
The brazen bull from Akragas had a long history. It was taken by the Carthaginians to their city, Carthage. Later, a Roman general named Scipio the Younger returned the bull and other stolen artworks to their original cities in Sicily. This happened around 146 BC, after the end of the Third Punic War.
Later Stories About Phalaris
Many years after Phalaris died, some writers tried to change his image. They wrote stories that made him seem like a kind leader. They even said he supported thinkers and writers. This was a surprising change from his cruel reputation.
However, in 1699, a scholar named Richard Bentley proved these new stories were not true. He showed that letters supposedly written by Phalaris were fake. This confirmed that Phalaris was indeed the cruel ruler history remembered.
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