FOREIGN POLICY OF POLYCRATES OF SAMOS

In spite of small quantity of extant information of political and economic relations in the eastern part of the Greek world in archaic period, from our point of view there are sufficient data from the ancient sources to make it possible to study foreign policy of Samos' tyrant Polycrates. A whole range of factors contributed to it: advantageous geographical situation of the island (it was on the intersection of several trade routes), existing connections with neighboring states (for example, alliance with Egypt and confrontation with Milet), long-standing nautical tradition and personal ambitions of the sovereign. Constantly changing interrelations with certain Greek cities was a significant feature of foreign policy of Samos-from conflicts produced by territorial claims and competition for resources and markets, to mutual cooperation. Quite a number of problems was solved by Polycrates' formation of powerful fleet which was based on triremes and versatile vessels of a new type-samenas, which were equally suitable for war and for trade. However, in the end Polycrates was compelled by territorial proximity to eastern major powers which were rapidly gathering momentum to renounce his alliance with Egypt and switch over to collaboration with Persians.