Sicyon

Sicyon, or Sikyon (Greek: Σικυών), was an ancient Greek city-state located in the northern Peloponnese, in the region of Achaea, along the coast facing the Gulf of Corinth. It stood near the modern town of Kiato and controlled a fertile plain that facilitated trade between inland settlements and coastal routes.

In the Archaic and Classical periods, Sikyon was a major political and cultural center, sometimes rivaling Corinth for regional influence. The city developed urban institutions and became known for its artistic traditions, particularly sculpture and painting, which gave rise to the Sicyonian school. It remained significant through the Hellenistic era and later joined the Achaean League before the Roman conquest of Greece shifted power in the region.

Roman intervention culminated in the broader reshaping of the area after the destruction of Corinth in 146 BCE, and Sikyon declined as a political capital, though it continued to be inhabited and to retain some civic activity in the Roman period.

Archaeological remains at the site include the ruins of public buildings such as a theater, an agora, and sanctuaries, with layers spanning from the Archaic through the Roman eras. Excavations have revealed aspects of urban planning, religious life, and daily commerce that illustrate Sikyon’s role as a regional hub in ancient Greece.

Today, the ancient site lies near Kiato in the Corinthia regional unit of Greece, and the historical memory of Sikyon is preserved in the modern municipality of Sikyona.