Tyranny was practiced in ancient Greece in various forms. The most common type of tyranny was a form of government where a single ruler had absolute power over everyone else. This type of tyranny was usually associated with military rule and dictatorship.
The first tyrants in ancient Greece were often wealthy landowners who seized power from the aristocracy. They would then hold on to their positions with an iron grip and use any means necessary to keep themselves in power.
Tyrannies were not always military dictatorships, however, as some tyrants were elected by the people or gained power through inheritance. Some tyrants also used legal means to maintain their positions of authority, such as codified laws or constitutional governments.
Ancient Greek tyrants typically engaged in public works projects that were often used to build up their own power base and prestige, but they also helped to improve the lives of citizens by improving infrastructure and providing employment opportunities for workers.
Though some were more lenient than others, many Greek tyrants tried to suppress dissent because they feared that it would lead to revolt or assassination attempts against them. Some even went so far as to censor books or other forms of entertainment that could potentially spark a rebellion against them.
