Cleisthenes of Sicyon

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For other figures with the same name as well as for the genus of flounders, see Cleisthenes (disambiguation).

Cleisthenes (also Clisthenes or Kleisthenes) was the tyrant of Sicyon, who aided in the war against Cirra that destroyed that city in 595 BC. He is also told to have organised with success a war against Argos because of his anti-Dorian feelings. After his victory he abolished all the rhapsodists of Homer, because they vaunted the citizens of Argos.

He organized a competition with his daughter Agariste as a prize; the two main competitors for her were the Alcmaeonid Megacles, and Hippocleides. Because Hippocleides made a fool of himself by dancing drunkenly in front of Cleisthenes, Megacles was chosen to marry Agariste. A relative of Cleisthenes was the later Cleisthenes of Athens and Agariste, the mother of Pericles.

His death is estimated around or before 532 BC.

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