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