About Polycrates
Lived 574 BC – 522 BC (aged 51–52). Polycrates was a politician and tyrant.
Polycrates (; ), son of Aeaces, was the tyrant of Samos from the 540s BC to 522 BC. He had a reputation as both a fierce warrior and an enlightened tyrant.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Polycrates's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Polycrates?
6th century BC tyrant of Samos
When was Polycrates born?
Polycrates was born in 574 BC in Samos.
When did Polycrates die?
Polycrates died in 522 BC in Sardis.
What was Polycrates's occupation?
Polycrates was a politician and tyrant.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Polycrates. https://biography.guide/polycrates/
MLA: "Polycrates." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/polycrates/.
Chicago: "Polycrates." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/polycrates/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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