(), a citizen of Sicyon, who held the chief power
there during the period of its subjection to Sparta. In B. C. 368
the city was compelled by Epameinondas to join the Theban alliance; and, though its
constitution appears to have remained unchanged, the influence of Euphron was no doubt
considerably diminished. In order, therefore, to regain it, he took advantage of the
dissatisfaction of the Arcadians and Argives with the moderation of Epameinondas, in leaving
the old oligarchical governments undisturbed [EPAMINONDAS], and,
representing to them that the supremacy of Lacedaemon would surely be restored in Sicyon if
matters continued as they well as were, he succeeded, through their assistance, in
establishing democracy. In the election of generals which followed, he himself was chosen,
with four colleagues. He then procured the appointment of his own son, Adeas, to the command
of the mercenary troops in the service of the re public; and he further attached these to his
cause by an unsparing use, not only of the public money and the sacred treasures, but of the
wealth also of many whom he drove into banishment on the charge of Laconism. His next step was to rid himself of his colleagues; and having effected this
by the exile of some and the murder of the rest, he became tyrant of Sicyon. He was not,
however, entirely independent, for the citadel was occupied by a Theban harmost, sent there,
as it would seem, after the democratic revolution; and we find Euphron co-operating with that
officer in a campaign against Phlius, probablly in B. C. 365. Not
long after this oligarchy was again established in Sicyon, by Aeneias, of Stymphalus, the A
readian general, and apparently with the concurrence of the Theban harmost. Euphron upon this
fled to the harbour, and, having sent to Corinth for the Spartan commander Pasimelus,
delivered it up to him, making many professions at the same time (to which little credit seems
to have been given) of having been influenced in all he had done by attachment to the
interests of Lace daemon. Party-strife, however, still continuing at Sicyon, he was enabled,
by help from Athens, to regain possession of the city; but he was aware that he
could not hold it in the face of opposition from the Theban garrison (to say nothing of his
having now decisively incurred the enmity of Sparta), and he therefore betook himself to
Thebes, hoping to obtain, by corruption and intrigue, the banishment of his opponents and the
restoration of his own power. Some of his enemies, however, followed him thither, and when
they found that he was indeed advancing towards the attainment of his object, they murdered
him in the Cadmeia, while the council was actually assembled there. Being arrested and brought
before the council, they pleaded their cause boldly, justified their deed, and were acquitted.
But Euphron's partisans were numerous at Sicyon, and having brought home his body, they buried
it in the A gora--an unusual honour (see Plut. Arat. 53)--and
paid worship to him as a hero and a founder (Ἀοχηγψέτης). (Xen. Hell. 7.1-3; Diod. 15.69,70 )