Theagenes
(Θεαγένης), historical.
1. Tyrant of Megara. He obtained his power probably about B. C. 630, having espoused the part of the commonalty against the nobles. He is said to have gained their confidence by violent aggressions on the wealthy proprietors, whose cattle he destroyed in their pastures. (Arist. Pol. 5.4, 5, Rhet. 1.2, 7.) Mr. Malden (Hist. of Rome, p. 153, " Library of Useful Knowledge,") supposes that these were public lands. By these outrages, and other demagogic arts, he gained the enthusiastic attachment of the commonalty, and by a vote of the people obtained a body of guards, by whose aid he overthrew the oligarchy, and made himself tyrant. He was, however, driven out before his death. He gave his daughter in marriage to Cylon. [Cylon.] Pausanias (1.40.1, 1.41.2) mentions some public works which he erected in Megara. Like most of the other tyrants, he, doubtless, found it expedient to foster industry and the arts. But from the picture which some time after Theognis gives of the state of the country, it does not seem that the people generally were permanently benefited by the reign of Theagenes. (Thirlwall, Hist. of Greece, vol. i. p. 428; Grote, Hist. of Greece, vol. iii. p. 59.)
2. A Thasian, the son of Timosthenes, renowned for his extraordinary strength and swiftness. At the age of nine years he was said to have carried home a brazen statue of a god from the agora. As he grew up he became distinguished in every species of athletic contest, and gained numerous victories at the Olympian, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian games. Altogether he was said to have won 1300 crowns. (Paus. 6.11.2, &c.; Plut. Reip. gerend. Praecept. p. 811.) He gained one victory at Olympia in the 75th Olympiad, B. C. 480. (Paus. 6.6.5.) The popular story among the Thasians was, that Hercules was his father. A curious story is told by Pausanias (6.11.6, &c.) about a statue of Theagenes, which a man, who had a spite against him, scourged by way of revenge, till one night it fell upon, and killed him ; upon which the statue was thrown into the sea, but was very fortunately fished up again by some fishermen, for barrenness had come upon the country, and the Delphic oracle had declared that it would not be removed till they restored Theagenes. Pausanias mentions having seen many statues of Theagenes among both the Greeks and the Barbarians. (6.11.9.)
3. General of the Theban forces at the battle of Chaeroneia (B. C. 338). Deinarchus (in Dem. § 75) brands him as a traitor, but according to Plutarch (Alex. 12), he fell in the battle.
4. An Athenian, a contemporary of the philosopher Marinus. He was distinguished for his liberality and his enormous wealth, which he employed in helping needy persons and restoring decayed towns. The philosophers and literary men of his day found in him a munificent, though rather imperious patron. (Suid. s. v. Θεαγ.; Damasc. apud Phot. p. 346a. ed. Bekker.) [C.P.M]
(Θεαγένης), literary.
1. A native of Rhegium, who was contemporary with Cambyses. (Tatianus, ad v. Graec. p. 105; Euseb. Praep. Evang. 10.11.) He was one of the earliest writers on Homer and his works (l.c. ; Suid. s. v. Θεαγ.; Fabr. Bibl. Gr. i. pp. 525, 321).
2. An historical writer, of uncertain date. Stephanus of Byzantium frequently quotes from a work of his, entitled Μακεδονικά (s. v. Ἀλτος, Βάλλα, &c), as also from another entitled Καρικά (s. v. Κασταλία). It is, perhaps, this same Theagenes, who wrote a work on Aegina, quoted by Tzetzes (ad Lycoph. 176 ; Schol. Pind. N. 3.21; Clinton, Fasti Hellen. vol. ii. p. 369, note 1).
3. A Greek grammarian, a native of Cnidus, who was one of the instructors of Herodes Atticus in criticism. (Philost. Vit. Soph. 13, p. 243, ed. Kayser.) [C.P.M]
(Θεαγένης). (1) A tyrant of Megara, who obtained his power about B.C. 630, having espoused the part of the commonalty against the nobles. He was driven out before his death. He gave his daughter in marriage to Cylon (q.v.).
(2) A Thasian, the son of Timosthenes, renowned for his extraordinary strength and swiftness. He gained numerous victories at the Olympian, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian Games, and is said to have won 1400 crowns. He lived about B.C. 480 (Pausan. vi. 6, 5; id. 11, 2).
- son of Timosthenes, Olympic victor: Paus. 6.6.5, Paus. 6.11.2-9, Paus. 6.15.3
- fined by umpires: Paus. 6.6.6
- worshipped in Thasos and many other places: Paus. 6.11.8ff.
- Paus. 1.28.1, Paus. 1.40.1
- builds altar to Achelous: Paus. 1.41.2