1. Activity
Athenagoras was one of the numerous tyrants who ruled Ephesus during the Archaic period.1According to Suidas, Hipponax went into exile to Clazomenae because of the tyranny of Athenagoras and Komas. Nothing more is known besides this brief allusion. Hipponax' akme dates back to 540/39 BC according to Pliny and to the Marmor Parium, and we know from Aelian that Pindaros, the son of Melas was still exercising tyranny in Ephesus at the beginning of Croesus' reign (561/0 BC).2 Consequently, Athenagoras' rule must be dated some time between the middle of the century and the Ionian Revolt (499 B.C.). We do not know the reason of Athenagoras' and Komas' hatred for Hipponax.
1. Cf. Frère, J., "Politique et religion à Ephèse entre 550 et 450", Kernos 9 (1996), σελ. 87-94.
2. Souda, s.v. Hipponax. Pliny, HN XXXVI 11. Marmor Parium, FGrHist 239 A 42. Aelianus, VH III 26.