CLASSICS 1M03 Chapter 2: Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy
10 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Many sources for archaic tyranny come from the classical period (from. Reflects confusion on the part of the classical greeks; many tyrants did a lot to help the polis but, they were the antithesis of freedom at the same time. Archaic greek tyrannies were short-lived and overthrown in the 2nd or 3rd generation. Tyrants generally rose in response to social tensions. At the end of the dark age, as larger city-states formed, differences in wealth and lifestyle quickly arose; but, greece didn"t develop hierarchical, class-based societies like what was happening in the near. East- instead the greeks developed the polis where power was shared among citizens. Women, slaves and the landless poor were excluded from this group of hoplite farmers. At times, this model would tend toward social and political hierarchy. Example: small farmers falling into debt, losing their land, and being enslaved. Suggests a move toward a concentration of wealth and power.
