Ancient Greek tyranny : a new phenomenon or a new name for an old phenomenon?
The standard view of Greek tyranny is that it was a unique phenomenon in the ancient Greek world, representing neither continuity nor a long-lived institution. The turannoi are generally described as illegitimate leaders who seized power with the support of the lower classes, usurping the rule of the aristocrats. This school of thought locates the origins of Greek tyranny in the supposed changes in the economic and social climate around the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Although the image of the tyrant as a populist leader has come under attack in recent years, there has been no attempt to challenge the theory that tyranny was a new phenomenon in the seventh and sixth centuries. This thesis contends that the turannoi were not a new form of ruler born from the supposed turmoil of this period. In reality, the word turannos came to represent a new way of thinking about an old style of leadership. This thesis shows that the Greek tyrants represented a continuation of the form of leadership practised by the Homeric basileis. As new ideas about law and order were formed in the seventh century, such as limited terms of office and magistrates with divided powers, these basileis began to be seen as a negative force
Taylor, James Robert Francis
Ancient Greek tyranny : a new phenomenon or a new name for an old phenomenon?. The standard view of Greek tyranny is that it was a unique phenomenon in the ancient Greek world, representing neither continuity nor a long-lived institution. The turannoi are generally described as illegitimate leaders who seized power with the support of the lower classes, usurping the rule of the aristocrats. This school of thought locates the origins of Greek tyranny in the supposed changes in the economic and social climate around the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Although the image of the tyrant as a populist leader has come under attack in recent years, there has been no attempt to challenge the theory that tyranny was a new phenomenon in the seventh and sixth centuries. This thesis contends that the turannoi were not a new form of ruler born from the supposed turmoil of this period. In reality, the word turannos came to represent a new way of thinking about an old style of leadership. This thesis shows that the Greek tyrants represented a continuation of the form of leadership practised by the Homeric basileis. As new ideas about law and order were formed in the seventh century, such as limited terms of office and magistrates with divided powers, these basileis began to be seen as a negative force
ancient_greek tyranny new phenomenon new name old phenomenon standard view greek tyranny unique phenomenon ancient_greek world represent neither continuity long_lived institution generally describe illegitimate leader seize power support low_class rule aristocrat school_think locates origin greek tyranny suppose change economic_social climate around although image tyrant populist leader come attack attempt challenge theory tyranny new phenomenon contend new_form ruler born suppose turmoil period reality word come represent new_way think old style leadership show greek tyrant represent continuation form leadership practise homeric new ideas law order formed limited term office magistrate divide power begin see negative force