CLAS1631

5. Colonization, Tyranny and Science

The Troubles of the Iron Age

What better life does Hesiod's pessimism suggest?

What powers keep justice in place? What powers ruin human life?

One Solution: Law and Writing

Another Solution: Colonies

E.g. Pythagoras

Another Solution: The Tyrannos Word drawn from Eastern powers, such as

Lydians or Phrygians First used of divinities, like Ares Later means sole ruler without the backing of

aristocratic tradition and not responsible to the people

Position through revolution, acclamation, ?election

Not a term, originally, connoting the nature of the rule This is a Classical attitude

The Tyrannicides

By 5th C, to kill a tyrant was the citizen's duty

What had changed?

What Do Greek Tyrants Do?

Religious infrastructure: Heraion

Promotion of the arts

Public works Aqueduct of

Eupalinos Alliances with other

tyrants

The Persian Empire