Architecture and Infrastructure

• Polycrates reigned over Samos, a city-state island in the Aegean Sea, from around 538 to 522 BC. As a tyrant, he had greater freedom to carry out large building projects than democratic leaders.
• One of his most impressive feats was The Eupalinian aqueduct. Named after its engineer, Eupalinus of Megara, this tunnel is an incredible example of ancient engineering and has been recognised as a marvel of ancient Greek engineering.
• The aqueduct is approximately 1,036 meters long and was dug simultaneously from both ends. This ambitious project allowed the population to access fresh water from the mountain springs directly, which was crucial for public health and the city's growth.
• Polycrates also constructed a series of harbours and shipyards, which contributed to Samos's reputation as a major naval power and economic hub. It also enabled the city-state to trade effectively and helped in the creation of a powerful naval fleet.

Temple of Hera

• Polycrates is well known for his initiation of the construction of the Heraion of Samos, a massive temple dedicated to the goddess Hera.
• The efforts towards religious structures emphasised Polycrates’s piety and perhaps served as a means to justify his tyranny.
• The Heraion became one of the largest temples in Greece under Polycrates’s reign, boasting a colonnade of at least 155 columns. This eventually led to Samos being known as a centre of culture and art in the Mediterranean.

Walls of Polycrates

• He also undertook the construction of significant military fortifications known as the Walls of Polycrates. These massive walls encircled the city, protecting Samos from potential invasions and enhancing its strategic importance.
• Traditionally around 6,430 meters in length and 16 meters tall, these fortifications were essential for maintaining control over the region during volatile political eras.
• Along with harbour fortifications, the Walls of Polycrates substantiates the fact that military and naval prowess were integral components of Polycrates’s rule, allowing him to maintain dominance in the Aegean Sea region.

Remember, these architectural and engineering achievements did not just reflect Polycrates's reign as an individual, but also the socio-economic and political state of Samos as a city-state during the late 6th century BC.