Samian trade developed side by side with Samian industry. From early times the islanders had enjoyed a great reputation as workers in metal, especially the fine metals[361]. The beginning of the connexion with Tartessus at the end of the seventh century gives the latest probable date for the beginning of this industry. Samian woollen goods were no less famous[362]. [Sidenote: Why no tyranny was established till the middle of the sixth century.] The island was not however exclusively commercial. There was a powerful landed aristocracy called γεωμόροι[363], who doubtless owned the rich Samian olive-yards[364]. The late date of the tyranny in Samos is probably to be explained by the power of the γεωμόροι. The result was something very similar to what occurred under similar circumstances at Athens. There may have been attempts like that made at Athens by Cylon[365], but no tyrant appears to have established himself firmly before the rise of Polycrates early in the second half of the sixth century. Till then the geomoroi were sufficiently powerful to make a tyranny impossible. Then, about 545 B.C., the Samian landowners received a fatal blow to their power, when the Greek cities on the coast of Asia Minor were conquered by the Persians. These cities, whether friendly or hostile to Samos, were all equally its commercial rivals, and the disturbances connected with the Persian conquest, which affected them all while leaving Samos untouched, must have greatly increased the importance of the commercial element on the island[366]. [Sidenote: Polycrates becomes tyrant: his tyranny and Samian trade.] It was within a few years of these events that Polycrates made himself tyrant of Samos. The exact date is not known, but it was probably after[367] the Persian conquest of the mainland, and may well have been due in part to the increased commercial importance of Samos which resulted from that conquest. However this may be, Polycrates, when established as tyrant, is found controlling the commercial and industrial activities of his state. All through his reign he was a great sailor and shipowner[368]. He built the famous breakwater in the Samian harbour[369], and was credited with the invention of a new type of boat, called the Samaina[370] (see fig. 9). [Sidenote: The wars and “piracies” of Polycrates and their possible commercial character.]