Cylon
(Κύλων). An Athenian of noble family who formed the plan of making himself tyrant of Athens (B.C. 612). At the time of the Olympic Games, he seized the Acropolis, where he was soon after closely besieged by the archons. Being at last destitute of food, he and his followers capitulated, after receiving a promise from the archon Megacles, one of the Alcmaeonidae, that their lives would be spared. In violation of this promise, however, they were all put to death, some being even murdered at the altar of the Eumenides. For this sacrilege, the Alcmaeonidae were tried by the nobles and banished (B.C. 596 or 595), at the instigation of Solon. The family retired to Phocis and remained exiles from Athens until the time of Lycurgus (B.C. 560). See Alcmaeonidae.
- bribed by Persians: Paus. 3.9.8
- Paus. 1.40.1
- wins Olympic victory: Paus. 1.28.1
- marries daughter of Theagenes: Paus. 1.28.1, Paus. 1.40.1
- compasses the tyranny: Paus. 1.28.1
- seizes the Acropolis: Paus. 7.25.3
- murdered by the Alcmeonidae for aiming at despotic power: Hdt. 5.71
- slays Aristotimus: tyrant of Elis: Paus. 5.5.1, Paus. 6.14.11