1. Introduction

Hippoclus, tyrant of Lampsacus. Information on Hippoclus is very scanty, and is actually limited to one mention in Herodotus and another in Thukydides.

2. Hippoclus-Darius-Histiaeus

Hippoclus was one of the vassal tyrants Darius took with him during his campaign against Scythia in c. 513 BC. According to Herodotus (IV 138), he gave Histiaeus of Miletus his support in the debate between the Milesian leader and Miltiades tyrant of Chersonessos. The latter spoke for breaking the bridge on the Danube River and leaving Dareios at his fate, for he was late. Histiaios held the contrary opinion, arguing that without Dareios none of them would ever rule anymore their home cities. Actually, quarels between Philaids and Lampsacus are well attested since Miltiades the Oecist (uncle of the former) felt into a trap in the territory of Lampsacus (Herodotus VI 37).

3. Hippoclus-Peisistratids

Tyrannical affinities are well attested between Hippoclus and the Athenian tyrants. According to Thukydides (VI 59), Hippias, in need of external support as his rule was becoming more and more contested, married his daughter Arkedike to Hippoclus' son Aiantides, for he considered these people powerful and influential upon Darius. Moreover, when Hippias was expelled from Athens, he sought refuge in Sigeion and then in Lampsacus, before rejoining Darius.

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