-During the seventh and sixth centuries BCE, aristocrats ran the show in most of Greece
-Rich people held much more influence in society, and held much more governmental power, than the middle class
-Aristocracy is rule by aristocrats
-They attended symposiums, meeting where the elite men would enjoy wine and poetry, performances by dancers and acrobats, and the company of hetaeras (courtesans) while discussing politics
An Exclusive Club
-no women (except the "entertainment")
-no middle class
-certainly, no slaves
-sometimes, even certain aristocrats (who didn't have the right connections or who fell out of favor) were excluded
Tyrants Seize Control
-Sometimes aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites (well-armed soldiers), and set up an alternative form of gov't called tyranny
tyrant- someone who rules outside the framework of the polis
modern meaning- an abusive or oppressive ruler
Greek meaning- someone who simply seized power (usually with the hoplite help)
-Hippias was a tyrant who ruled from 527 to 510 BCE
-His brother was murdered, and his rule became harsh
-Eventually he was expelled from Athens (this is called being ostracized)
-In revenge, he began working with the Persian King Darius I, helping them invade Marathon
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