Lawgivers and tyrants were one of the principle instigators of change in the Greek poleis. These changes, due to their reforms, laws, or just because of personal grievances, helped to shape the development into democracy. Although the poleis were all part of Greece, the poleis can almost be considered as separate entities. In terms of political ideas, culture and alliances, every polis was different. Therefore, in order to examine the development of Greek society, it is necessary to examine multiple poleis.

Cleisthenes, of Sicyon, was a tyrant who ruled Sicyon from c.600-570. His father, Orthagoras, was the start of a three-generation tyranny, which was to last until 560BC. Cleisthenes changed many aspects of Sicyonian society, but perhaps most importantly, he banned almost everything related to Argos. Previous to Cleisthenes' rule, a tragic chorus was performed in the honor of Adrastus, an Argive. On Cleisthenes' rise to power...