Tyrant or Democrat?
The ancient historian Timaeus gave Timoleon high accolades in his work; however, Polybius criticized Timaeus for bias in favor of Timoleon and many modern historians have sided with Polybius. Peter Green shares this skepticism but thinks it has gone too far. While he concedes that Timoleon tended to play the democrat while using the methods of a tyrant (albeit benevolent), he did make an effort to maintain the outward forms of democracy. Further, he reformed Syracuse in a democratic direction and demolished the stronghold of the island that had been so useful to tyrants in the past.
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Famous quotes containing the word tyrant:
“Sow seed—but let no tyrant reap;
Find wealth—let no imposter heap;
Weave robes—let not the idle wear;
Forge arms—in your defence to bear.”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)