SICYON (city in Sicyonia)
Ancient Greek city state Sicyon situated in the northern Peloponnesus
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Sicyonia
- Landmarks
- Statue of Heracles Pausanias 7.26.6
- People of myth here
- Adrastus, Antiope of Thebes, Epopeus, Phalces, Polybus
- Where
- 37.98° N, 22.72° E
A temple of Artemis of the lake is located near the market-place. Pausanias 2.7.6 Phalces is identified as the founder of the city of Sicyon. Strabo 8.8.5 The harbor in the city is referred to as the Sicyonians' harbor. Pausanias 2.12.2
Described in the sources
Pellene is the nearest Achaean city to Sicyon, and its territory borders Sicyon. Herodotus 1.145.1 +2 Alcon is identified as being from Sicyon. Statius, Thebaid 6.535-561 ¶2 +1 The town of Gonussa is located above the city of Sicyon. Pausanias 2.4.4 +1 Cleisthenes held the position of tyrant in this city state. Athenaeus 12.58 +1 The river Sythas flows into the sea associated with Sicyon. Pausanias 2.12.2 +1 A road leading to Sicyon passes a temple and bronze statue of Apollo. Pausanias 2.3.6 +1 Sicyon served as the starting point for a courier's one-day run to Elis. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.73 ¶1 +1 People plant wild ground thyme around the city of Sicyon and search for it on their local mountains. Athenaeus 15.28 +1 Large conger eels were caught in the waters off Sicyon, which is noted as the best location to acquire a large, fat conger head. Athenaeus 7.31 +1 Xeno was an artist from Sicyon. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.40 ¶15
Gods and worship
A hero-shrine dedicated to Aratus exists in Sicyon. Pausanias 2.9.4
Stories and history
Victors from Sicyon received silver wine goblets decorated with crowns of Apollo as prizes. Pindar, Nemean 10 ¶8 +1 Sicyon provided selected troops and military reinforcements to support the Messenians in the battle at the Boar's Tomb. Pausanias 4.11.1 +1 Aratus was buried within the city of Sicyon. Pausanias 2.9.4 Silver goblets were sent from Sikyon to Chromios. Pindar, Nemean 9 ¶13 Sicyon is noted for providing fish to other regions. Athenaeus 1.49 The city sold its paintings at auction to pay off its debts. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.40 ¶3 The city's paintings were moved to Rome during Scaurus's aedileship. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.40 ¶3 Aristoxenus wrote a history of Sicyon that mentions the Aleter dance. Athenaeus 14.30 Eleans and Thebans attacked Sicyon out of friendship for the Thebans. Pausanias 6.3.3 Sicyon suffered sterility and famine after the artists left the city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.4 ¶1
Myths set at Sicyon
- The Flight to Sicyon. Cleisthenes of Sicyon plots to expel Adrastus, who had become king after his grandfather Polybus died. Adrastus flees to Sicyon to seek refuge with Polybus, despite previous honors and a deadly rivalry with Melanippus. Herodotus 5.67.1 +5 Adrastus
- The Healing of the Argive Women. The Argives ask Melampus to cure the madness afflicting their women, specifically the daughters of King Proetus. He agrees to heal them in exchange for a share of the kingship for himself and his brother Bias, eventually securing royal status and marrying Proetus's daughters. Apollodorus 1.9.12 +5 Melampus
- The Death of Epopeus by Lycus. Epopeus, king of Sicyon, is killed by Lycus after conquering the city, with accounts varying between a slaughter of his family and a specific attack by a savage woman. His death is linked to his seduction of Lycus's daughter, which prompts Nycteus to seek vengeance against Aegialea. Apollodorus 3.5.5 +3 Epopeus
- The Battle with the Thebans. The Thebans invade Sicyon during Epopeus's reign, leading to a battle where he is wounded but victorious. He dies later from the neglected wound after celebrating his win with a sacrifice. Pausanias 2.6.1 +2 Epopeus
- The Imprisonment and Rescue of Antiope. Antiope fled to Sicyon to escape her father's threats while pregnant, but was captured by Lycus and imprisoned. Her sons Zethus and Amphion recognized her, killed Lycus, and freed her. Apollodorus 3.5.5 Antiope