BOOK 5 Chapter 10 Destruction of Monarchies (Kingships and Tyrannies)

Chapter 10

I. Introduction to Monarchy: Destruction and Preservation

1. Monarchy and Its Forms
   • Monarchy consists of two primary forms: Kingship and Tyranny.
   • Kingship is aligned with aristocracy, while tyranny represents a mixture of the worst elements of oligarchy and democracy.
     • Tyranny is the most harmful form of government because it combines the flaws of both oligarchy and democracy, leading to exploitation and injustice.
2. Origins of Kingship and Tyranny
   • Kingship: Originated to protect the respectable or virtuous citizens from the people. Kings were chosen based on their superior virtue, their noble deeds, or their virtuous family lineage.
   • Tyranny: Arises from the people against the notables, often led by popular leaders who gain the trust of the masses by slandering the elites.
     • Tyrants claim to protect the people from injustice, but in reality, they exploit the people’s trust.
3. Historical Examples of Tyranny
   • Many tyrannies were established by popular leaders who manipulated public sentiment.
   • Examples:
     • Pisistratus in Athens, Dionysius in Syracuse, and Cypselus in Corinth all rose to power by leading the people against the notables.
     • Other tyrants, like Pheidon of Argos and rulers in Ionia, began as kings or officials but deviated from their roles to become tyrants.

II. Kingship vs. Tyranny: Fundamental Differences

1. Kingship as Aristocratic Rule
   • Kingship aligns with aristocracy because it is based on merit and virtue.
     • Kings earn their position through benefactions to the city, defending it in war (e.g., Codrus) or liberating and founding cities (e.g., Cyrus, the kings of Sparta and Macedon).
   • The king acts as a guardian of the people, protecting the wealthy from injustice and ensuring the common people are treated with fairness.
2. Tyranny as Self-Serving Rule
   • Tyranny, in contrast, serves no common good and is focused on the pleasure of the tyrant.
   • The tyrant’s goals are personal enrichment and pleasure, while a king’s goals are honor and the pursuit of the noble.
   • Tyrannies rely on foreign mercenaries for protection, while kings rely on their citizens.
3. Material vs. Honor
   • Material wealth is the focus of tyrants, as it enables them to maintain their power and lavish lifestyle.
   • Honor and virtue are the focus of kings, who are concerned with doing what is noble and protecting their cities.

III. Causes of Destruction in Tyrannies

1. Tyranny’s Flaws: Oligarchic and Democratic Elements
   • Oligarchic Flaws:
     • Tyrannies share traits with oligarchies, particularly the pursuit of wealth and distrust of the multitude.
     • Examples include disarming the populace, mistreating the masses, and expelling or relocating citizens.
   • Democratic Flaws:
     • Tyrants also emulate democracy by waging war on the notables—eliminating or exiling them as rivals.
2. Historical Examples of Tyrannical Tactics
   • Periander’s advice to Thrasyboulus to “lop off the preeminent ears” reflects the common tyrannical practice of eliminating the most influential citizens to prevent threats to power.
3. Revolts Against Tyranny
   • The primary causes of revolts against tyrants include:
     • Injustice: Tyrants’ arrogance and seizure of private property incite hatred.
     • Fear: Fear of being wronged by the tyrant prompts conspiracies.
     • Contempt: Tyrants are often seen as weak or morally corrupt, leading to revolts.

IV. Specific Causes of Revolts Against Monarchies

1. Arrogance as a Cause of Revolt
   • Personal insults and arrogance often provoke attacks on monarchs.
   • Examples:
     • The Pisistratids were overthrown because of the insult to Harmodius’s sister, leading Harmodius and Aristogeiton to conspire.
     • Periander of Ambracia was attacked due to his arrogant remarks toward a favorite.
     • Philip of Macedon was killed by Pausanias, who was angered by the arrogance of Attalus and his companions.
2. Examples of Revolts from Contempt
   • Monarchs who behave contemptuously toward others often provoke rebellion.
   • Examples:
     • Sardanapalus: Seen carding wool with women, provoking disgust and revolt.
     • Dionysius the Younger: His constant drunkenness led Dion to attack him.
3. Revolts from Other Personal Grievances
   • Many monarchs were attacked due to disgraceful behavior or failure to fulfill promises:
     • Archelaus of Macedon was killed by Crataeus and Hellanocrates, partly out of resentment for sexual misconduct and unfulfilled promises.
     • Cotys of Thrace was killed by Python and Heracleides to avenge their father’s death.

V. Other Causes of Revolts in Monarchies

1. Fear of Accusation or Punishment
   • Some revolts occur because subordinates fear punishment for past offenses.
   • Example:
     • Artapanes killed Xerxes out of fear of being punished for executing Darius without Xerxes’ approval.
2. Contempt from Seeing Weakness
   • Monarchs who are perceived as weak, foolish, or unfit provoke contempt and rebellion.
   • Example:
     • Cyrus revolted against Astyages out of contempt for his luxury and declining power.

VI. Ambition and Revolts

1. Ambition as a Cause of Revolts
   • Some attacks on monarchs are driven by ambition rather than hatred or personal grievances.
   • Ambitious individuals may desire fame or reputation, seeing a successful revolt as a way to become notable or establish a legacy.
   • Example:
     • Dion attacked Dionysius not for personal gain but for reputation and honor.
2. Ambitious Generals
   • Generals often lead revolts because they feel capable of ruling and disdain the monarch’s authority.
   • Military power coupled with personal ambition makes generals bold in attempting to seize power.
   • Example:
     • Cyrus revolted against Astyages, and Seuthes attacked Amadocus, leveraging their military positions.

VII. External and Internal Causes of Tyranny’s Destruction

1. Destruction from External Forces
   • Tyrannies are often destroyed by external regimes that oppose tyranny ideologically or politically.
   • Example:
     • The Spartans frequently overthrew tyrannies, as did the Syracusans when they were governed well.
2. Destruction from Internal Conflict
   • Internal factionalism among those who share power within the tyranny often leads to its downfall.
   • Example:
     • The tyranny of Gelo was destroyed due to internal conflict within his family, as Thrasyboulus manipulated his nephew for personal gain.

VIII. Kingship: Longevity and Causes of Destruction

1. Longevity of Kingship
   • Kingship tends to last longer than tyranny because its primary causes of destruction are internal rather than external.
   • Kingship is less likely to be overthrown because it is seen as legitimate and based on virtue, unlike tyranny.
2. Two Primary Causes of Destruction in Kingship
   • Factional conflict among the king’s supporters.
   • Tyrannical behavior by the king, such as overstepping legal boundaries or seeking more power than is justifiable.
3. Decline of Kingship in Modern Times
   • Kingship no longer arises easily because modern societies have many individuals of similar status, with no one outstanding in virtue or merit to justify kingship.
   • Monarchies today are often regarded as tyrannies if they arise through force or deceit rather than voluntary consent.
4. Family-Based Kingships
   • In family-based kingships, kings often behave arrogantly despite having only limited power.
   • The ease of overthrowing a king who rules unwilling subjects makes such regimes vulnerable to destruction.

IX. Summary of Monarchy’s Destruction and Preservation

1. Summary of Causes
   • Monarchies are destroyed by the same causes that affect oligarchies and extreme democracies, such as internal strife, contempt, fear, ambition, and external opposition.
   • Kingships tend to last longer because their authority is based on merit and voluntary consent, but even kingships can be destroyed by internal mismanagement or tyrannical behavior.

This chapter emphasizes the fragility of monarchies, particularly tyrannies, which combine the worst aspects of oligarchy and democracy. Kingships, though more stable, can still be undermined by factionalism and arrogance. The chapter explores numerous historical examples to illustrate the specific causes of revolt and destruction in monarchies.

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