Thirty Tyrants

Thirty TyrantsCritias, one of the Thirty Tyrants, ordering the execution of Theramenes, a fellow member of the oligarchy that ruled Athens in 404–403 bce.

Thirty Tyrants, (404–403 bc) Spartan-imposed oligarchy that ruled Athens after the Peloponnesian War. Thirty commissioners were appointed to the oligarchy, which had an extremist conservative core, led by Critias. Their oppressive regime fostered a bloody purge, in which perhaps 1,500 residents were killed. Many moderates fled the city; gathering a force, they returned to defeat the tyrants’ forces in a battle at Piraeus in 403. The 30 fled and were killed off over the next few years.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Emily Rodriguez.
Citation Information
Article Title: Thirty Tyrants
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 09 March 2018
URL: https://www.britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Thirty-Tyrants
Access Date: November 21, 2024