Though there were numerous factors involved in the fall of tyranny, the main cause for the Greek’s tyrannic end was the actions made by the Aristocrats. Tyrants desired to take away control from the Aristocrat’s and gain their power. They were able to come into a place of absolute rule by gaining favor from the Greeks. The majority of the Greeks were poor, so tyrants catered to the poverty-stricken in order to be supported (“What is Tyranny?”). Tyrants provided for their people by building structures like aqueducts that could be used to greatly benefit the poor by supplying a vital source needed for survival -clean water (“Tyranny”). Tyrants also offered cancellations of debts the poor owed along with redistributing land. Though these acts caused the tyrants to gain popularity from the poor, it had the …show more content…
Back in Ancient times, tyranny meant something completely different from today’s definition. Tyranny was defined as a man being granted absolute power to rule over everyone in the city’s jurisdiction (“Plato and Aristotle on Tyranny and the Rule of Law”). A similar monarchical structure as to that of a king or queen. Most of the time, tyrants were not hated by their people. In fact, they were often favored. Some tyrannical rulers were even said to be just. Pisistratus, one of the tyrannic Greek rulers, was said to be “Kindly and mild in everything and in particular he was merciful to offenders and moreover he advanced loans of money to the poor for their industries (Athenian Constitution 16;1-2 qtd. in “Tyranny”).” Tyrants, especially those of the earlier time, were what absolute rulers should be. They were kind, just, hospitable, and good-natured. They pursued peace and helped the poor (“Tyranny”). Most people living in Greece at this time were poor and would benefit greatly from being ruled by a tyrant. Tyrannical rule was something that would be favorable if one were poor, not
The Athenians democracy was the pride and jewel of their nation. It created confidence, security, and patriotism, however, it also created an arrogant mindset which eventually leads to the downfall of their nation. Pericles states that the Athenian government was unorthodox because it was a government of the whole people rather than a minority (Thucydides 1). In addition, all Athenian citizens had the right to be apart of the government and administer justice. However,
The most distinctive feature of Greek political culture lay in the extent of popular participation in political life that occurred within the city-states. This participation was based on the unique ideas of “citizenship,” of free people running the affairs of state, and of equality for all citizens before the law. Political participation in Greek city-states was much wider than in Persia, but it varied considerably between city-states and over time. Early in Greek history, only the wealthy and wellborn had the rights of full citizenship, but middle- and lower-class men gradually obtained these rights in some city-states.
In 1887, historian John Dalberg-Acton asserted, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This theme has a prominent role in history, literature, and even current times. Certainly, many instances have occurred where once someone earns authority, they allow it to get to their head and do things they would not have done otherwise. Similarly, it is also seen that when one is inferior or beneath others, they receive a hunger for power. Specifically, a few prime examples of people who became corrupted because of their dominance include Marc Antony from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Joseph Stalin, and Kim Jong-un. These rulers negatively impacted the places they ruled all because of their abusive tendencies that came with dominance.
The had prosperous fields of barley and wheat that they prided themselves on. They were the true earth born in their eyes. Athenians were in their own little world since they were isolated from other states. They had superior skill in making pottery and it was the main merchant trade. They had a large gap between the rich Eupatrids and the poor countryside folk. The Eupatrids started to get to big of ahead and finally realized when they were beat by a village of pig-farmers that they could be defeated. They knew reform was needed and appointed Solon to do the job. He knew he needed to give some power back to the working class. He made them debt free and gave them the right to vote. Although this seemed awesome in the beginning, they quickly realized the stipulations. They would soon be in debt again, and they couldn’t voice their opinion about laws or issues that affected their lives. Athens did well after that, although they never left the aristocracy governing. It was indeed a democracy, but it was only for men to spread their opinion and common people to only vote.
In Greece, monarchies were found when the Mycenaeans ruled Greece during the period 2000 to 1100 BC. Monarchy is defined as a system of government where a single ruler has supreme power. The word “monarchy” comes from the Greek words “monos” meaning “single” and “archo” meaning “rule”. This single ruler, known as a king, ruled for life and passed the rule on to his heir when he died. The most famous monarchy was that of King Alexandra of Macedonia who ruled all of Greece from 336 BC.
Ancient Greece was famous for its art and ideas. Greek people were very creative in great epics, history, dramas, philosophy, science, mathematics, and medicines. The ancient Greece was covered with mountains, rocky hills, and narrow valleys. Greek later became educated about trading with the Mediterranean. Modern Democracy is more concerned about peace, division of power and providing equal rights of every citizen of a country however, in the ancient Greece was involved with war among the state, misuse of political power, discriminate slaves and poor farmers.
Most of the leaders from the 16th and 17th century in Europe were tyrannous. They were delusional kings and queens who thought they were given power by god and deserved the right to rule of others how they saw fit. The excerpt featuring King James I in Document 2 is a good example
It is when the power changes to another by force instead of inheritance. It wasn’t really uncommon in many places in Greece to have tyrants who were even praised and loved by their own people, because not tyrants were bad as we imagine them today. According to Mark Cartwright “Pesisistratos in Athens (from c. 560 BCE) - a typical benevolent tyrant who actually paved the way for democracy” were not a typical form of tyranny which we come to think of today. Come to think of it, it there is a ruler in a city who has made things worse for its subjugates and an able ruler throws him off and takes care of its city and population would be
In the article Domitian and the dynamics of terror in classical Rome, Professor Peter Wiseman defends the historical depictions of several emperors—Domitian in particular—as tyrants.
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to address the topic ‘Athens under the Peisistratid Tyranny’ to you all at the Ancient History Teachers’ Association of Australia today. The Peisistratid Tyranny includes the succession of three tyrant in Ancient Greece; Peisistratus, Hippias and Hipparchus from 561-510 BCE. Peisistratus ruled Ancient Athens as a tyrant several times, in 561, 559-556 and 546 BCE until his death in 528 BCE. His tyranny, as well as tyranny as a concept and form of political control, have been viewed in a negative way, being seen as oppressive, dictatorial leaders who abuse their citizens. However, the growth in Ancient Athens, both socially and economically, during his reign contradict the common views of tyranny.
Sparta’s tyrant has promised me more rights, and has been a good ruler for the current year. He does many things to improve my life. Our tyrant reformed laws, and gave me and citizens other than nobles a say in our government. He even canceled my debts, which is making my life much more easier as a farmer. My family has
Some of his rule was not acceptable which indicating that he does not cares about the people. He uses force that make people in his land obey him and fearing from his rules. For example, “through powerful,
Greco-Roman mythology is rich in names, characters, and events. Dozens of gods, goddesses, and mortal women and men participate in a variety of activities that reflect or exemplify behaviors and power relations in Greek and Roman societies. A wealth of literature was written about the relationships between mortals and immortals in Greco-Roman mythology. Much was written and said about the place humans occupy in the complex mythical hierarchies. However, the role and place of women remain the topic of the hot literary debate. In Greco-Roman mythology, the image of woman is always
In Aristotle's Politics, he focuses much on the regimes of an oligarchy and of a democracy. Democracies exists when the free and poor, being a majority, have authority to rule, and have an equal share in the city. Oligarchies exists when the few wealthy and better born have authority and grant benefits in proportion to a person's wealth (1280a:10-30;1290a:5-10).
The Ancient Greek civilization was located on the same land Greece is now, Ionian Islands, Asia Minor, South Italy, and Sicily. It is surrounded mountains and in the north by water. The Ionian and the Aegean seas, together with natural islands and bays, gave the Greeks the opportunity to develop their high level of commerce and their rich culture. The mountains, which surrounded Greece, gave them the advantage of being well protected.