Almost every person came across the word "tyrant". This term came into Russian, presumably from the Anatolian and Philistine languages. In ancient Greece (7-6 centuries BC), a tyrant is a person who seized power by force. Over time, this term has not changed much and also has a negative connotation. The meaning of the word “tyrant” and its features will be described in an essay.
Dictionary word
Studying what the word "tyrant" means, you need to turn to the explanatory dictionary, which states the following. As indicated earlier, this term appeared in Ancient Greece, and then in the Roman Empire, and meant a person who seized power by force.
In the modern sense, the term "tyrant" refers to a cruel despot, tormentor. Sometimes the term “dictator” is used as a synonym for this word, however, it should be noted that this is a clear inaccuracy.
According to the researchers, the word has an Anatolian origin and is supposedly etymologically related to the Neo-Hittite tarawanas, as well as the Philistine title seren, which later transformed into a tyrant.
History
The first accurately established tyrant was Giges (Gig), the founder of the Lydian Mermad dynasty. According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Giges in 680 BC. e. came to power, killing King Kandavl, and married his widow. It should be noted that there are several versions that talk about the motives of Gig's act. The main thing is that he was convicted of treason, and he was threatened with death. To avoid this, the assassination of Kandavl was committed.
Later, Giges began the struggle with the Cimmerians, who inundated Phrygia. Then he made an invasion of Greek Ionia, captured Colophon, and after that he besieged the ancient Greek city of Miletus. As a result, he died after the Cimmerians occupied Lydia, defeating his army.
In ancient Greece
Continuing to consider the meaning of the word "tyrant", it should be noted that this person, after seizing power, oppressed and destroyed the aristocracy. A large amount of evidence has been preserved telling about the excessive cruelty and tyranny of such rulers. One of the most cruel tyrants is Falaris, who ruled in Akragant. He is known for introducing brutal torture, and the death penalty was burning people alive in a special copper bull.
It should be noted that at the stage of the formation of the policy in Greece as a state administrative unit of tyranny, it played a positive role in that it suppressed the arbitrariness of aristocrats. However, in the end, this led to the fact that the tyrant himself became the one who committed illegal acts.
It is known that not one of them created a durable dynasty. Their power, as a rule, was also taken away by force by the new usurper. This term, as before, carries a strictly negative meaning. This perception was due to the fact that in the vast majority of cases tyrants were cruel and merciless rulers who were hated by all walks of life.