Aristocrat & arist o cracee

Greek government

Transformation of government
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• In seventh and sixth BCE, artistocrats ruled Greece's government
• This is common, people with more riches traditionally held more power in government

Aristocracy

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• ruled by aristocrats (mind=blown)
• Aristocrats attended symposiums which were essentially parties where the aristocrats discussed politics
• no women, middle class people, slaves allowed. and occasionally an aristocrats

Tyrants seize control

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• Sometimes aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites and take power
• tyrant- someone who rules outside the framework of the polis
• modern meaning of tyrant- an abusive or oppressive leader
• Greek meaning of tyranr- someone who simply seizes power usually with upper class soldiers  called hoplites
• Hippias was a tyrant who ruled for 17 years and became harsh when his brother was murdered
• He became ostracized from Athens