Polycrates

Polycrates – the good tyrant

Son of Aeakis, born in Samos. In 532bC he is the powerful Tyrant of the island, after murdering his brothers, with whose assistance he had come to power. He made Samos a mighty force in the Aegean and in neighboring seas. He helped spiritual and cultural activities reach a heyday, and also created some magnificent structures that still exist today   . He brought scientists and artists to the island (doctors, sculptors, musicians and poets). He also assigned to the architect Efpalinos from Megara the construction of the trench that would water the city. He was killed in Sardis in 522bC by the Persian Satrap Orsitis in a horrible way.