HIST 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Civilization Iv, Tyrant, Helots
23 Jun 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Some new groups " interests opened the door to the emergence of tyrants in the. They were not actually cruel or evil, as is connoted in our word tyrant. Greek tyrants were dictators who violently seized power and were not subject to law. Aid for the tyrants came from the new rich, who made their money in commerce and industry. As well as from poor peasants who were in debt to aristocrats in the landholdings. These parties were opposed to the aristocratic oligarchies controlling political power. Tyrants typically gained power through a local coup d" tat and retained it through the use of paramilitary soldiers. They constructed marketplaces, temples and walls once in control, creating jobs, glorifying the city, and increasing their own popularity. Tyrants also promoted mercantile and commercial interests. Yet despite these successes, by the end of the sixth century b. c, tyranny fell out of favour.
