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.