CLA-2110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Pittacus Of Mytilene, Tyrant, Divination
Document Summary
Closed, safe environment not just physically safe but intellectually as well. Could e(cid:454)press (cid:272)ertai(cid:374) opi(cid:374)io(cid:374)s that the(cid:455) (cid:272)ould(cid:374)"t say in public. Clarifi(cid:272)atio(cid:374)s: all poetr(cid:455) is (cid:862)elite(cid:863) i(cid:374) the se(cid:374)se that it (cid:449)as produ(cid:272)ed for wealthy people by wealthy people. The disti(cid:374)(cid:272)tio(cid:374) (cid:271)et(cid:449)ee(cid:374) (cid:862)elite(cid:863) (cid:448)s (cid:862)(cid:373)iddli(cid:374)g(cid:863) refers to ideolog(cid:455) Elite ideology= aristocratic values, legitimizing social role from sources outside (both physically and conceptually)of the polis. Middling ideology= rejects the above, polis is key to self-identification and identity. C600 bce- aristocratic clan, the penthilidae, has power of mytilene. Cruel rulers, according to aristotle went through the agora beating people with clubs the demos revolted and displaced the penthilidae two tyrants, melanchrus and myrsilus, take power (with support of the demos. Aristocrats (including alcaeus, his brother and pittacus) depose melanchrus. Alcaeus and other plots against myrsilus, plot fails. Pittacus double-crossed conspirators, colluded with myrsilus, and then becomes tyrant (from 580-579 bce) establishes peace. Aristotle says he was elected by the people.
