The Thirty Tyrants

The Thirty Tyrants were a group of oligarchs who ruled Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC). Instituted in 404 BC by Sparta, they were appointed to establish control and stabilize the city, but their rule was marked by repression, violence, and political purges. The Thirty aimed to eliminate democratic governance and consolidate power among themselves. Their harsh methods sparked widespread resentment, leading to their overthrow in 403 BC, which restored democracy in Athens. The episode serves as a pivotal moment in the struggle between democracy and oligarchy in ancient Greece.