A tyrant, who was often an aristocrat appointed by citizens to resolve political conflicts, rose to power in Greece around 600 BCE.
- The type of leader that rose to power in Greece around 600 BCE due to growing political unrest among city-states was a tyrant.
- In the context of ancient Greek city-states, such as poleis, a tyrant was a ruler who seized power without legal right but was often supported by the citizens to prevent civil strife.
- Initially, the term 'tyrant' did not imply a cruel or oppressive ruler, as many tyrants successfully resolved political crises for the benefit of different social groups, including the hoplites (citizen soldiers) and the aristocrats.